Technology: A Tool for Music Education
By: Don Muro
Technology is changing the way music is taught and performed in schools throughout the country. Many teachers have already incorporated some aspect of technology into their teaching. Others ask, “Why should we introduce change when everything has been working so well?” If everything is working well and students, parents, and administrators are happy, perhaps nothing should change.
If, however, you find that your students are knowledgeable or are asking questions about consumer products—such as electronic keyboards, recording software, or music notation software—you might want to keep the lines of communication open. Because our students are frequently using computers and electronic instruments at home and in other subject areas, it makes sense to incorporate this technology into the music curriculum.
Remember, the primary reason for learning about music technology is to enable us to meet the needs of our students in a rapidly changing world and to address these needs productively.
Why Technology?
Technology captures the imagination of students and provides motivation for learning. Students bring with them a fascination for computer games and electronic musical instruments. For some students, the computer is regarded as a trusted, objective friend. We can tap into this motivation and fascination by using the same technology to teach musical concepts and skills that students will need to become good listeners and performers.
Technology Tools
The most common technological tools available to music educators are computers and electronic keyboards. Computers are ideal teaching tools for the music curriculum. Software publishers offer a wide range of programs covering every aspect of music, from musicology to marching band half time shows.
Electronic keyboards offer many possibilities as learning tools and performance instruments in the music classroom. In an interactive, hands-on format, students can use an electronic keyboard to learn about sound, composition, improvisation, and recording.
Students, either individually or in groups, can use technology to develop skills and to increase their knowledge in the following ways.
1. By learning basic musical concepts
Students benefit greatly from the exercise/drill features of many software programs. In this context, computers function as an extremely patient teacher’s assistant.
2. By arranging existing music or by composing original music
Students can experiment with the elements of music and create original musical compositions.
3. By using notation software to print assignments, arrangements, and compositions
In addition to hearing their music, students can print out notated versions of their works.
4. By creating a multimedia report
With appropriate software, students can create reports that include sound, notation, and images.
5. By accessing additional information on the Internet
Students can also use a modem to access additional information, sound files, and images from educational and research facilities throughout the world.
These are just a few examples that demonstrate how technology can enhance the learning process. All of these examples utilize technology as a means of helping students to improve their musical skills and their understanding of music.
Now Is the Time
You can make technology work for you. Hardware and software manufacturers are continually producing products that are easier to use. Books, periodicals, college courses, in-service courses, and summer workshops that focus on technology are available throughout the country. There is no reason to delay getting involved.
We always try to improve the quality of our teaching. With more and more students becoming computer users and with the evolutionary nature of technology yielding more powerful and less expensive computers and electronic instruments, it seems inevitable that technology will continue to play a major role in music education.
In 1983, Steve Jobs persuaded Pepsi Cola executive John Sculley to join Apple Computer by asking him, “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?”
We now have new tools to enhance our world of music and the world of music education. We can use technology to improve our teaching, enhance our performance, and inspire our students in new and exciting ways.
Don Muro has been working with music and technology for most of his life. His educational music is widely used throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and in Japan. Throughout his career, he has been an active advocate for music technology. Visit him on the Web at www.donmuro.com.
Sidebar
Lifelong Language
By Ellen Foncannon
A basketball coach once told me, “I really envy musicians. I’m just 35 and my knees are shot, but music is something you can do your whole life.”
Yes, the sound of music is part of every important event in our lives—dedications, ballgames, graduations, musicals, weddings, and funerals. It surrounds us while we’re shopping, comforts us when we’re sad, and is often the backdrop for life experiences.
For children, the introduction to this wonderful art should include a music curriculum that provides many opportunities to explore the world of sound. Active participation through singing, moving, and listening helps instill a sense of beat and patterns. Simple percussion instruments like drums and xylophones make music accessible to everyone and provide a musical experience with both rhythm and harmony. Making music as part of a community has a positive impact on social development and supports a sense of belonging, support, and camaraderie.
Music contributes to every part of education, including school readiness and continuing success in learning. Music expands memory and assists in developing language skills. It exerts a multiplier effect on reasoning skills, especially on spatial reasoning. Music also reinforces such logical and perceptual ideas as beginning and ending, cause and effect, sequence and balance, and harmony and dissonance, as well as math concepts such as number and timing.
Physical education combines naturally with music. Many songs and games include rhythmic movement such as jumping, marching, stretching, bending, and dancing. Necessary concepts such as right and left, listening and responding to directions, cooperation with a partner, imagination, and improvisation are naturally gained while doing musical exercises. Coordination and control are increased.
Music is a powerful language. Teaching children to appreciate the beauty and logic of this language can open many doors in communication, creativity, and worship. Music is something you can do your whole life!
Ephesians 5:19 states, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord!”
Ellen Foncannon is the director of educational materials for Whacky Music, Inc, www.boomwhackers.com.
Product Roundup
Nasco
Beat a drum. Ring a bell. Sing along with classic children’s songs. Or simply move to the music. Nasco carries the supplies you need for an engaging music and movement program, so you can create a dynamic classroom that fosters imagination, interaction, and a love of learning. Whether you are looking for a handbell set for musical performances, an economy rhythm or percussion set for music class, a CD with songs and activities that teach early learners a range of skills from counting to healthy habits, or a karaoke machine for special events, Nasco will help you make music that fits your budget and curriculum.
www.eNasco.com
Mark-My-Time
Music students now have an exciting new product designed to facilitate practice sessions. The award winning Mark-My-Time for Music Digital Metronome conveniently combines the benefits of a bookmark, digital timer, and metronome into one easy-to-use product. Music students can record their practice time at the touch of a button. An easy-to-read programmable countdown timer with alarm alerts students when the practice session is over. A cumulative timer is also available for convenient recording of multiple practice sessions.
www.mark-my-time.com
Guitar Praise from Digital Praise
Digital Praise Inc, a leader in Christian-themed, family-friendly entertainment software, has announced Guitar Praise, its new inspirational PC guitar game. It combines unique play features with a playlist of today’s most popular contemporary Christian rock hits. Guitar Praise lets players act out their dreams of leading a rock band by playing along with their favorite Christian rock tunes. As the song and lyrics play, colorful notes scroll down the screen. Players must keep up by matching the notes to the fret buttons on the guitar controller included with the game.
www.digitalpraise.com
Hohner’s Rockstart
Hohner has announced a new product aimed at the entry-level acoustic guitar market – the “Rockstart” acoustic guitar package – just in time for the holiday sales season. The Rockstart package includes everything a beginner needs to get started, including Hohner’s popular HW350 acoustic guitar (featuring a Spruce top and die-cast tuners), a deluxe padded gig bag, KORG chromatic tuner, E-Media instructional DVD, strap, picks, string winder, and additional strings, all in a full-color POP box.
www.hohnerusa.com
The Villain of Venice from Majesty Music
Patch the Pirate recordings have been a great way to teach Christian character for more than 25 years, and in this new CD, you will find music, mystery, and mayhem in Venice. The scent of garlic is in the air as gondolas are sinking everywhere. Help the crew solve the mystery with Papa and Mama Carrabba, Sherlock, and the singing cats of Venice. Life-changing lessons are discovered along the way. It’s an Italian feast of food, fun, and fantastic truths your whole class will love.
www.majestymusic.com
Whacky Music
Whacky Music is now shipping Whack-a Boom!! - Boomwhackers Card Games, featuring two card decks, one with colored cards corresponding to the C Major Diatonic scale and the other with different rhythmic patterns of varying degrees of difficulty. An instruction booklet details more than 20 fun games that can be played using Boomwhackers musical tubes. Also coming soon is Whacky Chroma-Notes Composer, music composition software featuring virtual Boomwhackers Tubes, which, when played, result in Chroma-Notes-colored notes appearing on a musical score.
www.boomwhackers.com
