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

Music & Motion -- V Motion Project

Creating music through motion...we have seen notation software that captures movement and notates it musically.  I recently posted a video game that lets gamers create music through shapes.  Now it is time to go even further...go bigger!  It is called the "V Motion Project."  This is a "machine that turns motion into music."  Ran through a Kinect camera, which captures the motion, it then goes through Ableton Live.  This is a "music sequencing software."  I've included the link to the music video they made with it (Dubstep) and then an in-depth article of the process.  It truly is something abstract for me to invision but very cool! 

V Motion Project Video

V Motion Project Article

Engineering is a very popular major at many universities. Students of engineering go on to find very well paying jobs in high profile firms like Boeing, Ford, etc. This article that I found talks about a program that combines the concepts of engineering and music. Getting high school students interested in both music and science at the same time can really spark learning. As our country moves into a more technologically based society the arts seem to get left in the dust. We as music educators know this isn't truly how it should be, but the general public thinks otherwise. By showing this connection between the sciences and music early on we can instill this connection between the two fields.

Drexel Summer Music Technology Program

Have you heard of Spotify?  You might of heard it on Facebook.  It is a social, music data base that not only has the latest songs but literally every genre.  If you use it through Facebook (you don't have to though), your friends are able to view what you are listening to.  Your friends can even listen to the same music as you when you are listening to it!  I use Spotify for this degree.  Instead of downloading or going through KSU's link to find music,  I find the piece on Spotify.  They have had every classical song that I needed thus far.  They also make an app (which requires a subscription) that can come in handy in the classroom.  It is very useful regardless if it is for your personal use or educational purposes.  Check it out!

Spotify

A Bicycle Built for Two

I feel Noteflight is very beneficial towards music education.  Finding a free music notation website is very rare but it is a great tool to use in classes.  Since it is free, the school does not have to purchase software for your computer labs.  It can also be great for smaller notation assignments like duets, warm-ups, etudes, etc. that you might use in general music classes.  Students will be able to notate fast with this program.

Iphone instruments - yay or nay?

I'm sitting here with my friend playing with our iPhone instruments which include: iBone, piano and guitar.  Now I've used my piano app in my classroom since I didn't have an actual piano present.  I used it for an actual pitch and then sang/taught the song acapella.  The guitar could come in handy as well for using chords as an accompaniment.  However, this iBone app is the oddest one that we've used.  It probably goes for other band instruments.  We're hearing many intonation issues and inaccuracy in sound representation.  So my question to you is, what do you think of instrument apps?  Should you use them in the classroom?  Here are some videos of these band instrument apps:

iBone
Trumpet
Saxophone
Guitar

Dubstep & Music Audio Technology

I am a HUGE fan of Mike Tompkins who does acapella covers of many popular songs of today. I also am a big Dubstep fan too.  I use a lot of his videos (even bought his DVD) in my classroom.  He only uses his mouth and voice however since he studied audio recording technology he uses much of it!    He uses the "looping" device a lot as well.  A lot of the times he will show how he made the sounds but you can see that all happening in this video.  Check out his other stuff if you can.

Mike Tompkins - Skrillex + Music Technology

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3, 'Water Night'

I use YouTube a lot in my classrooms.  Students are used to "YouTubing" videos all the time on the computer just to pass the time.  Why not show them a YouTube made choir?  It is such a cool concept for this day & age.  Real voices from 73 countries brought together!


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3, 'Water Night':

	Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3, 'Water Night' Water Night, the new album on iTunes. US: bit.ly UK: bit.ly Germany: bit.ly Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3, 'Water Night' To be among the first to receive updates on Virtual Choir 4, sign up to the Fanzone: ericwhitacre.com 'Water Night' for Strings can be heard on Eric's latest album on Decca, 'Water Night' iTunes US (deluxe): bit.ly Amazon US: amzn.to iTunes UK (deluxe): bit.ly Amazon UK: amzn.to Amazon Germany: amzn.to iTunes (deluxe) Germany: bit.ly Water Night for Choir can be heard on Eric's GRAMMY award winning album, 'Light & Gold' iTunes UK: bit.ly Amazon UK: amzn.to iTunes US: bit.ly Amazon US: amzn.to iTunes Germany: bit.ly Amazon Germany: amzn.to Official site: ericwhitacre.com Facebook on.fb.me Twitter: bit.ly	From: EricWhitacresVrtlChr Views: 238484 2691 ratings
	Time: 11:43	More in Music

Sound Shapes for PS Vita

After watching the Tod Machover TED talks video, I ended up finding a new Playstation Vita game that puts music in the hands of everyone.  Users are able to share their creations with one another and online.  It is called "Sound Shapes."

Debut Trailer - Sound Shapes (Vita) - IGN Video

Sound Shapes: Music Creation for All - PlayStation Vita Preview at IGN