Since
SmartMusic Studio was first introduced there has been a three way division
within the music education community. First come music teachers that
shun the idea of using such technology as being either too difficult or
unnecessary. The second and most prominent group are teachers that
have heard about the potential benefits of using SmartMusic but simply
don't know where to start or are scared to take the plunge. On the
high end of the spectrum is a small but growing consortium of band,
orchestra, and choral directors that use SmartMusic in almost every
aspect of their teaching and their programs are thriving because of
it. The suggestions and tips shown below are a compilation of their
knowledge that we can all benefit from.
Planning Ahead For SmartMusic Success
One
consensus reached by all of the master teachers interviewed is that
teachers that are new to SmartMusic can hurt their chances for success
if they try to do too much too soon. Find at least one area of your
program that you feel SmartMusic could be most helpful in and for the
first semester or year of your implementation only focus on that one
application. Whether that aspect is using SmartMusic as a surrogate
pianist for your solos and small ensembles or whether it leans more
towards simplifying the monotony of recording and listening to
individual student playing exams; find something that will make your
life as a teacher a bit easier. Once you are happy and comfortable
with that part of SmartMusic expand your use to include it in other
parts of your rehearsals or private lessons. The first year will
always be the hardest, but resolve not to give up. When things finally
start to click, celebrate and find ways to show off your student's use
of the software to your supervisors and other faculty members. All the while continue to look for new ways to incorporate SmartMusic into your rehearsals .
Avoiding Problems Before They Occur
Once a person is familiar with SmartMusic they generally have very few
problems. The only real trouble spots for new users often come during
the installation and set up of the system. One significant suggestion
was to avoid the use of the SmartMusic demos provided with the various
beginner lesson books. The software on these discs is several years
old, and the new 10.2 version that is available for download through
SmartMusic is far superior and includes dozens of new features and
stability enhancements that the student demo discs do not. If you have
students that want to purchase a home subscription, you should contact
MakeMusic and ask for them to send you additional copies of the current
SmartMusic installation CD. When all else fails, call the SmartMusic
support line and the problem will usually be solved quickly and
easily.
Continue on to PART 2 of this article for specific tips.