Quick Tech Tips for the Music Classroom by Peter Tambroni

http://www.PeterTambroni.com

http://www.MostlyBass.com

http://www.EvolvingEducator.com

About the AuthorPeter Tambroni is a bassist, educator, writer, and photographer in suburban Chicago. He received his Master of Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign and his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, N.Y.

SmartBoard  

Few devices have had such an impact on the classroom as the SmartBoard. Love it or hate it, it has a lot of pull and personality!

Here are some easy ways that I use my SmartBoard

Fingerboard Geography

I created fingerboard charts to show the students where the natural notes are. We then can write in the rest of the notes to learn the sharps and flats.

Use an online metronome 

The SmartBoard speakers are loud enough for the entire group to hear the metronome and I like the fact that the students can see the metronome and how one works.

Instant feedback 

I use a Tascam DR-1 portable digital recorder in class to record the students and play it back for instant feedback. On the right side of the SmartBoard are auxiliary audio inputs which are perfect for this.

Other Software How-Tos & Tips

Tooble 

Need to download and save YouTube Videos - try Tooble! Tooble is a program that allows you to download YouTube videos and save them as a video file. This is very useful since most districts block access to YouTube on their networks.

Evernote 

Although Evernote isn't music software I find it indispensable. I use Evernote to transfer files and keep bookmarks which I can access on the web or through the SmartBoard. If I find a great link or website at home I drop into Evernote and then can access it at any school where I teach.

Evernote is also great as a:

• To-do list
• Store and organize notes and reference material
• Create voice / sound recordings with their free iPhone app
• Take pictures with either the iPhone or iSight
• Share a list or notebook with others

GarageBand 

Using GarageBand to teach musical forms by having the students use loops and beats in specified segments. This has worked great in teaching everything from simple ABA to rondo forms

Amadeus Pro 

I use Amadeus Pro to change speeds and make practice CDs for students. I’ll make tracks at 50 to 100% speed in 10% increments

Audacity - A great freeware choice that is available on all computing platforms.

Other

Text Expander 
Do you use a phrases or text strings often? Try Text Expander to save time.

Web Design

Creating a website or blog. A blog can serve as an easy and dynamic web page that can be updated anywhere. iWeb for Mac is a simple and clean web and blog editor while Softpress' Freeway is an industrial strength web creator at a reasonable price. If you're looking for something easy to get up and running quickly I recommend setting up a blog with Wordpress.