How Can I Use Technology in my Band Program?

By Dave Westdal - Kelly's Music and Computers

One of the fastest growing innovations in the music industry is computer based music technology.  Technology is becoming readily available for use by the student, teacher, hobbyist, and professional.  In the classroom technology is opening new doors to new learning possibilities.

Band teachers have enormous demands on their time, and now they must now also engage in the judgement of music technology.  Do we use technology merely because it’s now available and approachable?  How will technology fit into the culture of my program?  Factors that can influence a decision include parents, curriculum, student’s needs and wants, concerts, travel, fundraising, resources, etc.  One factor equally affects the other.  How will technology fit into this balance?

It easy to get side tracked with details about specific products.  It is more important to decide how products from broad categories will work in your music instruction and examine how this will affect the individual student.  Rather than thinking of technology as a source of content, it is more effective to think of music technology as tool for content exploration.  Students can use music technology as a tool to explore music.

With technology we are not changing music instruction, we are only expanding upon the depth of exploration that can take place.  Some concepts of music are hard to explore within the confines of music instruction in the band classroom.  With technology students can manipulate sound and discover basic musical principles.  Composition, creation, audio recording, audio mastering, practice, and performance are just a few areas greatly enhanced by computer based exploration.

Computers can provide a virtual environment where the student can learn, think, and create music.  In all subjects we are finding a great trend to include multiple intelligences.  Currently in mathematics this is very prevalent.  Like music, mathematics is also a language of symbols and abstract thinking.  Math teachers are finding that students learn better when they can physically manipulate objects to solve problems.  Technology in music can act as a virtual manipulative.

The application of an instructional method determines its benefit.  Technology is no different.  It is the way that you decide on how to use it that will make the greatest difference.  The key is to examine the technologies usage from a lesson to lesson basis.  Assess how technology fits into your student’s current needs.

If we break down a lesson from a technical standpoint we can often identify general components.  We determine what the student knows, ensure knowledge acquisition, allow the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge, and make the outcome relevant to the student.  Technology can be applied as a tool in any one of these areas, however, it is important to decide on if it will provide a greater educational opportunity than through traditional methods.

Below I have outlined some of the broad areas covered by music technology and a brief rational for inclusion in instruction.

Theory Instruction / Theory Drill - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_theory_ear_training_software.asp

Example programs include:  Essentials of Music Theory / Music Ace / Musition

As the name suggests this type of software can be used for the instruction of theory or as a tool for practicing and assessing theory.  The software can greatly enhance your theory instruction by giving your students the opportunity to explore theory in a manipulative environment or to reinforce concepts you have already covered.  Most of this software is almost entirely self directing.  Your students can work through concepts you specifically specify while you run a sectional for example!

Ear Training - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_theory_ear_training_software.asp

Example programs include:  Aural Skills Trainer / Auralia / Music Lab Melody and Harmony

Most teachers agree that ear training can provide a great benefit, yet it is a subject hard to instruct in the band room.  This type of software makes it possible for your students to explore their ability to identify and create sound in a personal and secure environment.  Most of this software also allows you to automatically set and follow individual student progress. 

Accompaniment Tools - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_create_software.asp

Example programs include:  Band in a Box / Smart Music Studio

Home practice and performance instruction can be greatly enhanced by accompaniment tools.  It has been argued that the number one greatest motivational aspect of learning music is through performance.  Not all students can get excited about playing at home by themselves.  Accompaniment tools can provide this motivation while developing time and intonation skills.

Performance Assessment - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_theory_ear_training_software.asp

Example programs include:  Standards of Excellence Software / Intonation Trainer

Performance assessment software gives the student feed back on their performance.  Graphical representations of a student’s performance can be displayed while automatically uploading the result to your computer for assessment purposes.  This kind of software can also be used to help students develop intonation skills.

Teacher Tools - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_education_software.asp

Example programs include: Transposition Software / Arrangement Software

I once observed a very popular band teacher who always had his students play the most recent popular music from films.  After hearing a piece he thought his kids could get excited about he would write a score for the next class.  With today's technology, this is easier than it sounds.  You can literally play in or scan in piano arrangements and use automatic arranging tools to cut and paste music for any other ensemble.  The software takes care of putting the right notes on the right staves.

Music Notation - http://kellysmusic.biz/music_notation_software.asp

Example programs include:  Sibelius / Finale / Print Music / Scorewriter

Notation software is becoming much more advanced and intuitive.  I highly recommend downloading a program to get the feel for it as well as to experience the tools included.  Instructionally there are endless uses.  A key component is the ability to hear anything you have written with a sense of time as well as hearing the playback with articulation in a stylistically correct manner.

Creating Music - http://kellysmusic.biz/dj_music_loop_software.asp

Example programs include:  Loop or Sampling software - Reason / Fruity Loops / Live

This is an incredible way for your students to explore creating music.  One warning, they might become hooked!  Think of what it takes to write and hear back a fully produced CD.  Now students can explore writing music without the intermediate steps.  This allows them to gain a greater understanding of the bigger picture including how to shape a composition.

Soft Synths - http://kellysmusic.biz/software_sampler_synth.asp

Example programs include:  Hyper Canvas / HQ-OR Orchestral Synth

Soft synths are programs that produce midi sound.  You can use them with a variety of software giving your students the opportunity to explore orchestration.  Because the sounds are so much more realistic (than the synth built into most computers) your students will be able to identify more readily with the software.

Midi controllers - http://kellysmusic.biz/midi_controllers.asp

Examples include:  MK-225C / M-Audio Radium 61

A midi controller is basically a keyboard without sound.  It works something like your computer's keyboard.  It utilises the sound of either your computers soft synth or a midi sound module to create the sound.  Although many of the programs you have been exploring do not require a midi controller it makes entering notes so much easier.  As midi controllers are often restricted in size (from 1.5 octaves to full sized) and do not include on-board sound it is quite affordable to fill a computer lab with these devices.

Sound Modules - http://kellysmusic.biz/soundcards_modules.asp

Examples:  SD-20 / SD-80 / SD-90

Sound Modules provide great sounds to any music software program.  Today the sounds are drastically improved from the pioneering days.  You will find that quality sound can go a long way to the enjoyment of any music software. 

Sound Cards / Recording Equipment- http://kellysmusic.biz/soundcards_modules.asp

Now you literally can put a recording studio into your band room to produce professional sounding CDs.  Good microphones and soundcards are essential but not overly cost prohibited.  The software will allow you and your students to mix, master, and produce CDs.

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