Essential Tools for the Music Educator

There are certain tools that I find indispensable as a music educator in 2022. Tools I simply can not imagine teaching without. Silly thing is that as much as things have changed they haven’t changed. I find that most of these tools are the same as ten years and even fifteen years ago but they have matured into tools that work in ways I could … Continue reading Essential Tools for the Music Educator

Tascam Portacapture X8 is an Excellent Recorder for Teachers! (I think)

So Tascam just put out a brand new version of their handheld recorder and I’m pretty excited. This could be an amazing tool for music educators! Let me tell you why….. of course I will warn you up-front that I do not own one of these yet. I have simply watched, read and listened to every bit of information I can about this thing. So … Continue reading Tascam Portacapture X8 is an Excellent Recorder for Teachers! (I think)

Want to use your iOS Device as a Musical Instrument? Get started with some Black Friday Sales!

This is the time of year that we see some outstanding sales on iOS apps that allow you to use your iOS devices as musical instruments! When I bought my first iPad in 2010 I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would become an irreplaceable tool for my sheet music. Now, 11 years later, I almost feel guilty using iPad for JUST … Continue reading Want to use your iOS Device as a Musical Instrument? Get started with some Black Friday Sales!

Be a User – Embrace new Tech! Discover the Joys Waiting For YOU!

Progress and improvements in capabilities are expected in technology. In fact, I’ve told my own kids – “Buy the best tech you can afford/need at the best price you can find then don’t look back!” Soon a newer and shinier and faster and more capable thing will appear. It is the way it is. Once you do make the decision to make a tech purchase though … Continue reading Be a User – Embrace new Tech! Discover the Joys Waiting For YOU!

MusicJot – a Handwritten Music Notation on iPad

In January 2017 the Music Notation iOS app world grew. MusicJot by Mona Lisa Sound was one of those apps that actually has been released that works well. In January I did discover that there is another Music notation app being developed as well but that app is still in beta. I do find it very interesting that both of these music notation apps focus on … Continue reading MusicJot – a Handwritten Music Notation on iPad

Music Study Apps Part 1- notetracks

When we as musicians sit down to figure out and to study a piece of music there has usually been a bunch of paper, pencil and clicking going on. You hit play and start writing down which section is which, taking notes on where the main theme starts, when the chorus comes in, where to start adding, drums, strings, backup vocal….. and the list goes on … Continue reading Music Study Apps Part 1- notetracks

Using An RSS News Reader and Blogs To Give Students Feedback on Assignments

  I have to say that one of the most used apps on my iPad is my RSS news feed app. It is through my RSS news feeds that I can follow an absurd number of websites, blogs, news updates and almost anything on the web that I am interested in. I used to go visit a small handful of sites every day hoping for … Continue reading Using An RSS News Reader and Blogs To Give Students Feedback on Assignments

Save Time In Front Of Class With LaunchCenter Pro for iPad

Teachers all understand the importance of saving even a few keystrokes, a few seconds, in front of a class of middle students! The more that technology takes a back seat in a lesson plan the better off we all are. If the tech isn't bringing attention to itself but the students learning is front and center then the tech is in the right place. That … Continue reading Save Time In Front Of Class With LaunchCenter Pro for iPad