Troy Middle School band teachers are learning that art and technology do mix, and they can actually make quite good partners. At the beginning of the school year, Symphonic Band and Concert Band classes received iPads and a new computer program to assist them in learning music pieces.
TMS band director Bill Goetz said he can tell the difference in his students’ skill levels already.
“They practice more at home,” Goetz said, “and they come to class better prepared.”
The software is called “SmartMusic.” It is an interactive music education program the students use at home on their own tablets or laptops while practicing with their instruments.
They choose the piece they want to practice, and the program “listens” to and records them playing it. When the student hits a wrong note, the screen displays that note in a red color. The program also gives live feedback if the rhythm is off.
Traditionally, Goetz said, when students practice, they may not realize if they are playing a wrong note over and over or if they are a beat behind.
“They may never know it without a teacher sitting right there,” he said.
With the software, students may practice a piece solo, or they may choose to play with the program’s background band of professional musicians, giving them a feel for how their piece fits in with a group. Goetz said the recordings of professional bands are all very good and can also allow the students the chance to get an exposure of playing with professionals.
“It’s like sitting in with a great band,” he said.
With particularly complicated pieces, the students can also slow the track down until they master it. They can speed it up later for an even greater challenge.
The teachers also use the program for grade assessments. Students play an assigned piece at home and record it until they get it just right, then they send it to Goetz or fellow band instructor Jenny Carlton, who listen to it and assign the students grades. They also give their students feedback of their recordings for such measures as articulation and tone quality.
“I think it’s a great way to give the kids personal, individual feedback,” Carlton said, “And the kids think it’s kind of fun. Two of the focuses of our district are using technology in the classroom and measuring student growth. I would say that SmartMusic is a great tool for us to use to support those two district goals.”
The instructors assure that their band students are still receiving traditional music instruction in class.
“This is to supplement traditional music teaching,” Goetz said. “The human aspect is certainly still there.”
The iPads and software were paid for by the Troy Band Boosters and Troy Community Consolidated School District 30C.