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Teaching Music Through Composition: A Curriculum Using Technology

THE “go to” resource for teaching music with computing technology!

Teaching Music through Composition offers a practical, fully multimedia curriculum designed to teach basic musical concepts through the creative process of music composition. Author and award-winning music educator Barbara Freedman presents classroom-tested ways of teaching composition with technology as a tool with which students can create, edit, save, and reproduce music. As Freedman demonstrates, technology allows a musical experience for all skill levels in opportunities never before available to compose manipulate, instantly listen to music electronically and even print standard Western music notation for others to play without having to know much about traditional music theory or notation. All students can have meaningful hands-on applied learning experiences that will impact not only their music experience and learning but also their understanding and comfort with 21st century technology. Whether the primary focus of your class is to use technology to create music or to explore using technology in a unit or two, this book will show you how it can be done with practical, tried-and-true lesson plans and student activities.

Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity

A “MUST HAVE” for those just starting out with technology and required reading for music education majors, undergrad or grad.

It has never been easier or more fun for students to compose, improvise, arrange, and produce music and music-related projects than with today’s technology. Written in a practical, accessible manner, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity offers both a framework for and practical tips on the technology tools best suited for encouraging students’ authentic musical creativity.

Author Scott Watson makes a compelling case for creativity-based music learning through eight teacher-tested principles that access, nurture, and develop students’ potential for musical expression. Example after example illustrates each principle in a variety of music teaching and technology scenarios. Watson also includes practical ideas for technology-based creative music activities, locating lesson plans and other resources, and assessing creative work. The book provides detailed plans for dozens of attractive projects, each linked to MENC National Standards, and also offers suggestions for making adaptations according to grade level and technology proficiency. Additionally, it includes a valuable section of resources with tips for setting up a computer music workstation, a plain-language description of how digital audio works, and a music education technology glossary. Most of the activities described can be carried out by novice users with free or low-cost music applications.

Technology Integration in the Elementary Music Classroom

This is a landmark resource for elementary school teachers who wish to enhance their curriculum with the excitement of music technology. The lessons can be adapted and used in a general classroom setting with one computer, or in a classroom where the music teacher transports the materials “on a cart.” Support audio files, MIDI files, and other electronic documents can be accessed for free through a dedicated web site. Includes a glossary and index.

Making Music with GarageBand and Mixcraft (Book & DVD)

Making Music with GarageBand and Mixcraft is a comprehensive guide to music production using two of the most inexpensive and intuitive recording programs on the market today. Although easy to use, the tools included in GarageBand and Mixcraft are powerful enough to create music worthy of inclusion in professional productions, and their interfaces and workflows prepare users to work with pro digital audio workstations like Logic and Pro Tools. The first chapters introduce the programs and cover how to use them and how to get the best results from any computer setup. With a very gentle learning curve, the subsequent chapters guide the reader into using the programs to compose and produce great music. This book contains 12 specific lessons for GarageBand and 12 specific lessons for Mixcraft, and the lessons work for both Mac or PC. Topics covered include instruction on getting started with existing audio, working with MIDI, recording audio, podcasting, working with film, multitrack recording, mixing, mastering, and much more. The companion DVD includes bonus tutorials as well as audio and video exercises that correspond to the book’s chapters.

Make Music with Your iPad

Music recording and performance apps are some of the top grossing applications for iPad. Major label artists are making use of Apple’s iOS products and apps to make music and have even recorded complete albums on the iPad. Written by an experienced Apple and digital music journalist, this unique resource opens your eyes–and ears–to the amazing possibilities that the iPad offers as a musical creation device for both novices and professionals. You’ll sing a new tune when you learn the power and simplicity of using the iPad as a tool for creating professional-quality music.

  • Introduces the unique possibilities that the iPad presents for creating professional-level and high-quality music
  • Explores how the iPad can serve as a complete set of musical instruments, recording studio, and composition tool all in one
  • Discusses all areas of music production from recording live instruments and vocals to building drum parts and working with samples
  • Shares interviews and helpful tips from world-famous recording artists
  • Recommends a variety of suggested accessories to add to your iPad

Tune in! Make Music with iPad is a must-have guide for any iPad user with an interest in music, regardless of the level of experience.
Hal Leonard Using Pro Tools in Music Education

Using Pro Tools in Music Education defines a six-module course for high-school and college teachers who wish to integrate Pro Tools , the premier digital-audio application, into the classroom environment. Author Robin Hodson lays out direct strategies for quickly utilizing the complex software in various class programs. The book comes with a DVD-ROM featuring 41 tutorial movies (total running time 3 hours) that cover all major aspects of learning Pro Tools. Also included on the DVD are accompanying files for use in the course modules.

Beyond Sound: The College and Career Guide in Music Technology

Beyond Sound is a must-read for anyone who loves music technology and wants to build a career in this competitive, fast-paced world. Author Scott L. Phillips draws on his seventeen-year career as a technology trainer and educator, and his extensive network of music technology professionals, to present an intimate view of the exciting world of music technology. The book offers an in-depth consideration of music technology education, including looks at specific programs and a clear explanation of different types of degrees. Moreover, it provides practical guidance on career preparation, including how to get a great internship, how to land that first job, and how to make connections and move up in a variety of businesses from recording to television and film to video games. And Phillips brings stories from successful professionals, who share their experiences, advice, and suggestions. Plus, interviews with Jim Frankel and Barbara Freedman!

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio

Discover how to achieve release-quality mixes even in the smallest studios by applying power-user techniques from the world’s most successful producers.

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio is a down-to-earth primer for small-studio enthusiasts who want chart-ready sonics in a hurry. Drawing on the back-room strategies of more than 100 famous names, this entertaining guide leads you step-by-step through the entire mixing process. On the way, you’ll unravel the mysteries of every type of mix processing, from simple EQ and compression through to advanced spectral dynamics and “fairy dust” effects. User-friendly explanations introduce technical concepts on a strictly need-to-know basis, while chapter summaries and assignments are perfect for school and college use.

An Introduction to Music Technology

An Introduction to Music Technology provides a clear and concise overview of the essential elements of music technology for today’s musician. It is designed to provide music students with the background necessary to apply technology in their creating, teaching, and performing. This book focuses on five topics that underlie the hardware and software in use today: Sound, Audio, MIDI, Synthesis and Sampling, and Computer Notation and Computer-Assisted Instruction. In addition, there is an appendix that covers necessary computer hardware and software concepts. An excellent resource packed with details.

Composition for Computer Musicians

You might be extremely knowledgeable about the software that you use, have a good understanding of your own genre, and even have a good basic understanding of music theory. However, this does not necessarily mean that you can write effective music tracks. You need another kind of knowledge as well – the knowledge of composition. This friendly guide explains the basics of composing songs and music on the computer using any music using any music creation and recording program, whether you choose Reason, Live, Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Finale, Sibelius, FL Studio, SONAR, or anything else. It’s not as hard as it sounds, and this book eases the learning curve so you’ll be making music in no time. You’ll quickly learn how to program rhythm and drums, create basslines and melodic leads, and use FX and samples. You’ll also learn about mixing and mastering your track and distributing it to a mass audience. Composition for Computer Musicians explains it all while showing you the basics of music theory throughout so you’ll be sure you’re not just making noise on the computer – you’re using your computer to make professional-sounding music.

Crowd Control: Classroom Management and Effective Teaching for Chorus, Band, and Orchestra

Crowd Control 2nd edition is a nuts-and-bolts manual for teachers of middle and high school performance-based classes such as band, orchestra, and chorus. This practical ‘how-to’ guide shows teachers, pre-service or experienced, efficient ways to manage large performance-based classrooms. With wit and sage tried-and-true advice, Haugland provides a complete behavior plan as well as concrete ideas for addressing the National Standards, Common Core, assessment, advocacy, and ensemble team building, along with ways to form a professional network. Accessible and indispensable, Crowd Control will become a vital resource in every music teacher’s library.

Theory and Practice of Technology-Based Music Instruction

Based on educational theory and on recognized music teaching methods, Theory and Practice of Technology-Based Music Instruction develops a framework for examining music teaching that uses technology to introduce, reinforce, and assess skills and concepts. The framework guides in-depth discussions about theoretical and philosophical foundations of technology-based music instruction (TBMI), materials for teaching, teaching behaviors, and assessment of student work, teacher work, and fit of technology into the music program. The book includes examples of TBMI lessons from real teachers, and analyses of the successful and developing parts of these lessons.

The book also addresses issues of accountability and standards; recommendations for professional development; and the future of the field, embodied in emerging technologies, alternative ensembles, and social issues. It will be a key volume for teachers implementing new curricular offerings and for music teacher educators as a foundation for teaching with technology beyond a focus on software and hardware.

Music Outside the Lines: Ideas for Composing in K-12 Music Classrooms

Music Outside the Lines is an informative and practical resource for all who are invested in making music composition an integral part of curriculum. Author Maud Hickey offers both a well-grounded justification for teaching music composition and also a compendium of useful instructional ideas and classroom activities. Hickey begins with a rationale for teachers to begin composition activities in their own classrooms, with a thoughtful argument that demonstrates that all music teachers possess the skills and training needed to take children along the path toward composing satisfying musical compositions even if they themselves have never taken formal composition lessons. She also addresses some of the stickier issues that affect teaching music composition in schools such as assessment, notation, and technology. Most importantly, she introduces a curricular model for teaching composition, a model which provides an array of composition activities to try in both the music classrooms and studio. These activities encourage musical and creative growth through music composition; while they are organized in logical units corresponding to well-known teaching modules, they also offer jumping off points for music teachers to exercise their own creative thinking and create music composition activities that are customized to their classes and needs.

The Teacher’s Guide to Music, Media, and Copyright Law

In this era of unprecedented access to information, teachers have a wealth of resources readily available for lesson planning – but determining what legally can and can’t be used in the classroom is a difficult task. The Teacher’s Guide to Music, Media, and Copyright Law helps explain in plain English just how information, images, video, and music can be incorporated into any kind of lesson plan without running afoul of copyright laws. You’ll learn: * what you can legally use without permission * how to obtain and license what you need permission to use * how to check the copyright status of any media item * how to apply copyright legality examples to real classroom situations