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The Importance of Using a Tuner: Finding Your Perfect Pitch

Music is a beautiful language, but like any language, it relies on clear communication. Just like people speaking the same language can do so with different accents to their voice so too can musicians play the same note but with slight changes in the way it sounds. The pitch may be a bit high or a bit low, and over the centuries musicians have come up with ways to analyze these differences so that multiple musicians can better "play in tune." Just as proper grammar and pronunciation are essential for understanding spoken words, playing in tune is paramount for creating harmonious music. This is where the tuner comes in. For the beginner (or even the more advanced musician) it can be a vital tool for developing accuracy of pitch.

Low Cost MusicTechnology Options For The Music Education Classroom

Finding ways to stretch your budget in a music classroom is always important and even more so when trying to purchase high tech electronics, software, and other materials. This article provides an updated list of dozens of different low cost or free alternatives to expensive music education products. It includes such categories as music notation software, drill design software, special needs hardware, and many more.

The Star Spangled Banner- Free Sheet Music For Band Inst.

This document contains sheet music for all common instruments to play The Star Spangled Banner, also known as the sheet music to the National Anthem of the United States of America. You can view the sheet music online or download the individual parts arranged for all common concert band instruments. If you do not see your instrument listed please scroll to the bottom of the page and try one of the the other instruments. Most musicians will be able to find at least one instrumental part that matches their range and preferred key signature. If you are seeking a simple piano version of the song please select from the voice, trumpet, or alto saxophone versions.

Using Plickers as an Assessment Tool in the Music Education Classroom

Music, band, choir, and orchestra classrooms can be huge and assessing the knowledge and retention of individual students in such a large class can be daunting. Plickers are one of several solutions that can be adapted to work in large groups, making the act of assessing a student’s understanding a little easier and a whole lot faster.

Is Marching Band A Sport? Pros, Cons, and a Reality Check

In recent years the question of whether or not marching band is a sport has been brought up time and time again for various reasons and by various groups. On one side you have the YES crowd who says that marching band is competitive, physically demanding, and every bit as much a team event as any traditional sporting event. On the other side of the coin are those who say no, that marching band is NOT a sport and it is a musical pursuit that happens to involve coordinated movements. Both sides are right, but to make a final decision we need to look deeper into the facts. Read on to find out what they are!

Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide With Reviews

Scroll down to view the comparison chart of over a dozen different portable digital audio recorders.

Buying a portable digital audio recorder is a major decision. The balance between price, features, and quality is a fine line that has many different options to choose from. There are dozens of different models of portable digital audio recorders, some of which have drastically different sets of features yet sell for roughly the same price. This easy to read head to head comparison chart and guide to many of the more popular portable digital audio recorders is intended to help potential buyers more easily see these differences and make an educated buying decision.

Apps and More for the Choral Classroom

The number of apps, software, and gadgets available for use in the music classroom continues to grow each year but finding things that can actually be beneficial to your classes grows more and more difficult as well. We spoke with Dr. Christopher Russell, Director of Choirs at Oltman Middle School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota to get his must-have list of apps.

PockeTrak CX Digital Audio Recorder Review

Big brother to the popular PockeTrak 2G digital audio recorder the Yamaha PockeTrak CX packs the advantages of larger microphones, better quality recordings, and expandable memory.

Zoom H4n Digital Audio Recorder Review

Hand held digital audio recorders have until now sacrificed ease of use and flexibility for size and convenience. With the Zoom H4n Zoom electronics has come up with an intelligent merger of both design and functionality, putting almost all of the functions of a desktop recording studio into a package that looks good, feels solid, and does its job very well.

Zoom H2 Handy Recorder Review

Zoom H2 Small in size yet packing some impressive features the Zoom H2 Handy Recorder has become a very popular device for band directors, choir directors, and music teachers in general.Â Whether recording large ensembles, small groups, or individuals, this review of the Zoom H2 recorder touches on the most important considerations a buyer should look for regarding this device.

Features of the Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder:

Multiple recording patterns. Select from 90, 120, or 360 degree recording patterns. Useful for recording small ensembles close up as well as for recording large groups from a distance.
Records in 96kHz WAV format down to 64kbps MP3 format. Use WAV for best quality, MP3 for increased capacity.
Easy recording start/stop and LED recording indicator.
Adjustable microphone gain selector.
Line level input.
External mic input
Headphone/line output
Records to SD cards. Includes 512MB card but can accept up to 32GB SDHC.
Integrated Tuner and Metronome
Runs on 2 AA batteries

Tascam BB-1000CD Portable Audio Recorder Review

The Tascam BB1000CD Portable CD/SD Recorder is a feature rich portable desktop audio recording device with built in microphones and excellent sound playback options.

Samson StudioDock 4i Review

For home, studio, or classroom use the Samson StudioDock 4i speakers provide excellent sound reproduction in a small package with plenty of power to fill a small room, but are they worth the price you have to pay?

Band Blast Off DVD Review

Band Blast Off DVD Cover The Band Blast Off DVD is one of a growing number of educational DVD's being sold by the Focus On Music group, a company more well known for their famous Breathing Gym DVD's and books.Â Band Blast Off is a little different in that its purpose is to be used as a potential recruitment tool for beginning band programs.Â This age appropriate DVD has many good points but there are a few downsides as well.Â

Saxophone Neck Straps From Levy's Leathers

Well known for their excellent lines of gig bags and instrument cases, Levy's Leathers introduced three new saxophone neck straps at the 2009 NAMM Show.Â With models available for any price range, the straps incorporate the same high strength webbing and durable stitching that has made the Levey brand one of the more popular aftermarket strap brands available.

Sound Production and Circular Breathing Apps for iPhone

Sound Production For Saxophone Saxophone master Walter Beasley has released a pair of iPhone apps dedicated to his chosen instrument. These instructional video apps contain over 80 minutes of video instruction on the saxophone taught by Beasley and feature short clips of him demonstrating the various concepts and techniques. The first of the two apps titled Sound Production For Saxophone deals with concepts ranging from basic embouchure to diaphragmatic breathing and basic practice tips.

The second app, titled Circular Breathing, deals with exactly that, and is described in detail in about thirty minutes worth of videos. All aspects of learning and developing circular breathing are presented and are done with the help of visual demonstrations showing how the process really works.

As an educational tool the videos are quite informative and present their points well. Any novice saxophone student would most likely benefit from viewing the Sound Production videos while more advanced students or those interested in playing around with circular breathing would benefit from the latter.

Scorio for iPad

Runs On:

Scorio is an iPad app that works together with the Scorio online music notation site allowing you to create and edit sheet music using the iPad's touch screen interface.

Creating sheet music made easy! The scorio Music Notator lets you write your own music on the iPad. Edit play and print your music whenever you want. Enter and edit music the iPad way: Use touch gestures to insert notes and touchmove gestures to move notes around and change pitches. Alternatively you may also use the virtual piano keyboard.

Musicopolous Music Theory iPhone App Review

Musicopolous is an iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad app that is intended to help the user practice music theory skills, mostly related to building scales, intervals, and chords as well as sight reading skills such as identifying the names of key signatures and note names when shown on the grand staff. For this review the app was tested on an iPhone 4. How did it measure up to the competition? Read on to find out.

Amplitube For iPad and iPhone- Just Plain Cool!

Guitarists rejoice! Thanks to the Amplitube app for iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch you can now take all of your favorite effects pedals, amps, and cabinets with you without the need to lug around a suitcase full of equipment. The Amplitube app works together with a $40 accessory called the iRig that when plugged between your iPad and your guitar will add any desired effects to the sound before sending it out to your amplifier.

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