Follow up - Sound Shapes

I posted earlier about the game called "Sound Shapes" which can be played on the Vita and PS3.  It came out this week and got many positive reviews!  This video I posted below shows a more in depth review with commentary of the program.  The main concept of the game is sharing with others however now it is bringing artists together.  For instance, the band "Beck" made content for the game.  It is very community driven where users can make levels and share them with others.  Take a look at the new review of the game that takes you more inside.


New Review - Sound Scapes

Guitar Guy Loops Around

When teaching music to general classes, specifically elementary, I love to include videos that enhance the lesson. I have done a lesson on how songs are made.  Since much of our music today is made electronically it is so easy to find videos that show that.  I included auto tune and "making a song in hours" videos for instance.  There is one man named "Guitar Guy" that makes all his sounds and music using a guitar and special recording devices.  This allows for him to solely make the music by himself. It is really fun stuff!  This video I use to show how certain melodic sections in songs are "looped."  

Guitar Guy - Looping Around

Audible Color - linking color and sound

Do you know someone who can see music in color?  Many of us can not picture such a thing while listening to music but there is a camera that can do so.  It is called Audible Color and considered a musical instrument.  It labels certain colors to certain notes.  When those notes are played, that certain color is displayed.  In the video, it will show you the color spectrum it uses and what notes it coincides with.  It's a very cool way to look at music!

Audible Color

A different way to learn piano -- Synthesia

A free downloadable software called Synthesia allows users to learn how to play piano.  This program is pretty unique compared to others that came before it.  The user will see a piano laid out on the screen.   It appears to be a game, using colored blocks to let the user know when to play the note (i.e. Guitar Hero).  However, it features many tutorials and the user can play free songs as well as any MIDI file they find online.  Reading music is not a requirement but Synthesia features notated music if you choose to play it that way.  The website listed below shows all the features and even a video showing how the software works.

Synthesia Piano Software

Musical glove

A glove is used to to help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to play piano.  It has a white box on the top of the glove that vibrates the fingers.  By doing this, the person knows what fingers to play on the piano.  After working with the glove, some people with SCI experienced sensations in their hands.  The article and video explains in further detail how this glove not only combines music and technology but also medical.

Musical glove for SCI individuals

Glogster Project

When wanting to incorporate technology in your music classes, check out Glogster!  A "glog" is considered an "electronic poster" that a person can post pictures, videos, text, etc.  Think of it as electronic scrap book.  The site even has a secure educational platform called "Glogster EDU" that can be used in classrooms.  I've used this site in my junior high advanced theory class.  Each student did an instrument glog.  I created a rubric and needless to say I got many creative students.  They went beyond the requirements.  I'm hoping to try it out this year too!

Glogster.com

Sonic Scoop -- EZ KEYS Grand Piano Review

You might of noticed that certain MIDI sounds that imitate instruments are not so accurate.  In this review of Toontrack's new samples of "EZ KEYS Grand Piano," the layout, design, and detailed sound was created to be accurate.  It is "both a virtual instrument piano and independent MIDI sequencer plug-in all in one" according to the review.  On the webpage, you are able to look at the layout and even listen to some sampling sounds.  Check it out!


Sonic Scoop -- EZ KEYS Grand Piano Review