This
week I explored two different computer programs, Chromatik and SmartMusic.
What it is
Chromatik advertises itself as a “full catalog
of free sheet music” and it certainly is.
Once you sign up, you have a wealth of sheet music to play. The 41 different genres range from “The 60’s”
to “Indie”, “Chart Toppers”, “Classical”, and “Faith”.
How to use
All you need to do is sign
up for a free account. Choose a piece to
play from the list of genres or search by artist or tune.
You choose one of 25
instruments and the notation appears in the correct clef, range, and an
appropriate key signature.
Platforms
Chromatik is available on Web, Android, iOS and Amazon
devices! I explored Chromatik on my Mac
laptop, but looking at the available platforms on the website, I found
something that could be quite useful. On
an iOS devise, like an iPad, you can play the tune, upload your own sheet
music, record yourself, and track your progress. I have not been able to verify this, but if
so it could be truly a great tool to use in school.
Personal experience and potential usage
I enjoyed using the sheet
music, there were so many pieces of such a variety I could find multiple pieces. I did like the YouTube videos chosen to sync
with the pieces, there was an authentic style in the playing, most often from
the composer or original performer. I
enjoyed listening to the different genres and seeing the notation. It would be a great teaching tool, showing my
students one possible interpretation against the written notation.
I was not as impressed with
the jazz genre pieces. The pieces were
notated in a jazz font, which were appropriate, but my concern is with the
videos. The YouTube videos that I saw
were from a jazz-learning channel. They
were play-along tracks, without a melody.
The stylistic component was missing, but as a play-along it would work.
I would use Chromatik for
myself in learning new repertoire, and just to enjoy myself. I unfortunately cannot use this site in
school. The adult language in the lyrics
is changed to asterisks, but not in the video.
I could not recommend this to my students.
Chromatik – Explore Free Sheet Music Collections and Play (https://www.chromatik.com)
Retrieved April 11, 2015.
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What it is
SmartMusic advertises as an
“Interactive Music Learning Software” program.
Teachers can subscribe for a personal account, practice room
subscriptions, and have students subscribe.
SmartMusic advertises
on their website
- Create and send assignments that students can do at home with a student subscription, or with a practice room subscription at school. Student subscriptions are just $40 per year. Practice room subscriptions are $44.
- Track, collect audio recordings, grade, and learn more about each student’s progress.
- Create a portfolio of each student’s work to share during parent/teacher conferences.
- Document achievement and measure student growth.
How to use
SmartMusic has a myriad of
music, method books, solos, and ensemble music in their library.
Students can practice their
music and much more. A microphone will
most likely be needed to input a student’s playing, available for purchase
through the website. The software can
assess the playing for immediate feedback, something a student would find very
helpful. SmartMusic can help me create assignments, keep track of scores, and
document student growth.
There are online tutorials
for both educator and student, which are very helpful. Some are only available with a paid subscription.
Platforms
SmartMusic is available for Mac, iPad, and Windows.
Personal experience and potential usage
I have little experience with SmartMusic due to the
cost. I would like to be able to track
student progress in their performance and keep a portfolio of their
progress. If the budget issues in my
school resolve, I would love to have SmartMusic as a part of my classroom.
SmartMusic http://www.smartmusic.com/products/educators/
(Retrieved April 9, 2015)
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