Technology has become part of nearly all aspects of life, with clear and positive results in educational subjects such as math and science. The benefits of technology in other subjects, such as music, may not be as immediately clear. However, there are many helpful tools used in music education, and a closer look can show the huge impact recent innovations have made.
Simplifying and Streamlining Business Endeavors
For many students, their musical education begins with private teachers. Modern technology has connected teachers and students across the country and around the world. The new software has simplified the teachers’ ability to streamline payments, track practice time, and share music. All kinds of music education businesses use software, such as my music staff, to make essential information available in real time while simplifying the connection between students and instructors.
Improving the Value and Scope of Classroom Instruction
The tools and methods of teaching are constantly changing, and the introduction of technology into the classroom was part of this natural progression. Teachers in public and private schools, elementary schools, and universities have many innovative tools available. From interactive whiteboards to tuners, electronic tools simplify instruction and improve classroom efficiency.
A classroom set of tablets means that paper music doesn’t get lost, teachers can share annotations and audio examples with the entire class and allow individual students to make their own notes on the music. In the past, teachers were sometimes stuck using music that was handwritten and difficult for beginning students to read; with digital translations, the work of masters from around the world can be played by students still learning to read notes.
Virtual tools provide fine motor skill practice effectively and in a way that students enjoy.
Tablets and apps have made student composition efforts much simpler, allowing students to hear what their music sounds like when played by a variety of instruments and to combine melodies and harmonies. The software and apps may also provide students access to instruments that aren’t available in the classroom.
Some software introduces students to types of music from around the world, provides exercises in music theory, and makes it possible for musicians from around the world to combine into a single orchestra.
Increasing Access to Music: Digitally, in Paper, and Through Videos
Classroom teachers aren’t the only professionals searching for music that invites their students to practice and perform, private teachers are also constantly looking for new practice pieces, drills, and performance scores. With online access to libraries full of music for many instruments and in chosen keys, teachers and students can pull up the printable music they need.
Students use audio clips and videos to enhance their practice, listening to professionals, slowing down or speeding up their music, and practicing their parts in combination with other students or with full orchestras.
Upgrading the Effectiveness of Lesson and Practice Time
There are quite a few apps teachers use and may encourage their students to use:
Tuning apps allow students and their parents to tune instruments, helping them further develop their ears while speeding up the tuning process rather than using too large a chunk of valuable lesson time.
Some apps keep track of student practice sessions, keeping students accurate when it comes to recording their practice time. These apps allow students and teachers to share recordings and immediate feedback.
Other app options make it easy for teachers to import, edit, and share music with their students between instruction sessions. Music theory apps offer exercises in chord recognition and interval training, games that reinforce music theory after instruction, modules targeting note and key identification, and tests or reviews consistently of music theory questions. These apps cover a range of students from beginning to university graduates.
Broadening Access to Performances
Perhaps some of the most exciting and obvious benefits of modern music technology include making performances available online. Whether a middle school student wants to share a performance with extended family, or an orchestra composed of musicians from several states wants to provide a public performance, technology has made it possible.
The ins and outs of music education, instruction, and business have all been improved through the use of technology. Whatever your role in the music industry, there are tools that could simplify and upgrade your work.
