Technology in Music Education

February 10, 2004

Here's an MP3 version of the Bach exercise -- created in Cakewalk using Step Recording -- something we'll cover soon in class.

The plan for this arrangement was to create a version of the Chorale as it would sound in church played on organ.

The setup was similar to what we've already done in class -- the four voices were placed on separate tracks, and each track was set to a different MIDI channel. (On this recording all parts were set to a Church Organ sound instead of four different instruments.)

Once the tracks were recorded, the following was done (not necessarily in this order): 1) Reverb, Volume and Pan were set for each part, all in Console View. (This is the "Mixing" part of the process.); 2) The fermatas found in the score and "breath pauses" between phrases were added to the recording. (It's important that any music "breathe" but it's especially important when using MIDI instruments so your parts sound as realistic as possible. This is absolutely essential when using wind instrument sounds.)

In the last step in the process, the MIDI score was rendered to audio, and the audio version was further processed to make it sound as if it had been recorded in a church, and then saved as an MP3 file to be used on Web. (For the MP3-savy: the file was saved at 64 Kbps -- roughly FM radio quality.)

In upcoming classes, we'll cover all the processes mentioned above: Step Recording, Mixing (setting Reverb, Volume and Pan for each part), creating fermatas, adding breath pauses, etc. (Lots to cover!)

Finally, to show you how versatile MIDI is, here is a another version of the same Cakewalk score. With a few quick changes, a completely different arrangement can be created from the same score.

In this version, the tempo was changed, the repeat and fermatas were taken out, a Rock Organ sound was used instead of Church Organ and an improvised introduction and drums were added. (Also, because of the change in style, the audio version was processed differently.)

Once the chorale section comes in, the organ part is exactly the same as the original church version (minus the repeat and the fermatas.)

(No, this is not from the album "Blasphemy.")

As I said above, there's a lot to cover. [JM]

February 5, 2004

Technology: In education, a branch of knowledge based on the development and implementation of computers, software, and other technical tools, and the assessment and evaluation of students' educational outcomes resulting from their use of technology tools. From North Central Regional Educational Laboratory

More on the term "Technology"

Some terms to know: CPU, Processor, Processor Speed, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Peripheral

January 27, 2004

The National Standards for Music Education:

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
3. Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
5. Reading and notating music
6. Listening to, analyzing and describing music
7. Evaluating music and music performances
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Five types of music software:

1. Drill and Practice
2. Tutorial
3. Games
4. Composing/Printing
5. Testing

From Tips: Technology for Music Educators. Compiled by Charles G. Brody. MENC, Reston, VA; 1990