Week #4: Musical Performance & Technology
This was an exciting week in the Technology Assisted Music Learning class! In continuing to look at various digital audio workspaces (DAW) to use in creating and performing music, this week's DAW to explore was Audacity.
Audacity
Audacity is an older software that is easier to use than some of today's most innovative DAW's (i.e. Garage Band), and it is a good FREE resource for getting students involved in creating and manipulating audio files. The software has easy functions to cut and manipulate existing sound files, and also is equipped with several effects to add to audio files, such as echo, raise or lower pitch, repeat, and others. With this program, users can also record digitally with built-in microphones or ones connected via MIDI, as well as instruments connected via MIDI. With this program, I made an arrangement of Mah Na Mah Na from The Muppets. Check it out below!
Mah Na Mah Na Remix
After the activities with Incredibox and Sountrap in previous weeks, Audacity is a good scaffolding towards more precise modifications and layering of sounds in creating a musical product. Incredibox introduced selecting sounds to mix together, and Sountrap introduced cutting files and recording sounds into a DAW. Audacity builds upon that and works towards total customization. All three programs are free and accessible for students both inside the classroom and at home, so the possibilities are endless!
Motivation
When it comes to students and individual practice, motivation is an important factor. There are two types of motivation in terms of music: intrinsic and extrinsic. Students are heavily exposed to extrinsic motivators from a young age, such as verbal praise or token economies including stickers, toys, ice cream, and other various prizes. As students age, extrinsic motivation can become based on what peers think and the comments they give. The presence of extrinsic reinforcers is important throughout students' development, and the goal is for students to be motivated intrinsicly, on their own accord. This will ultimately lead into self-led practice and musicking.
Technology in Practice
Once students are intrinsically motivated and begin to manage their own personal rehearsal and development, they can be introduced to various technology to help them develop good habits. With the heavy prominence of smart phone in today's society, students have easy access to various free tuners and metronomes via apps to help them play in time, help them work on tough passages at slower tempi, and help them to realize good intonation. With their exposure to DAWs such as Soundtrap and Audacity, they can record themselves to listen and self evaluate, as well as share recordings with teachers and peers for feedback. The best thing is, students can achieve this without ever spending a dime, beyond the cost of a smart phone or computer.
For tuners, I recommend Tonal Energy. It is $3.99 but it is well worth the price.
Reference:
Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Audacity
Audacity is an older software that is easier to use than some of today's most innovative DAW's (i.e. Garage Band), and it is a good FREE resource for getting students involved in creating and manipulating audio files. The software has easy functions to cut and manipulate existing sound files, and also is equipped with several effects to add to audio files, such as echo, raise or lower pitch, repeat, and others. With this program, users can also record digitally with built-in microphones or ones connected via MIDI, as well as instruments connected via MIDI. With this program, I made an arrangement of Mah Na Mah Na from The Muppets. Check it out below!
Mah Na Mah Na Remix
After the activities with Incredibox and Sountrap in previous weeks, Audacity is a good scaffolding towards more precise modifications and layering of sounds in creating a musical product. Incredibox introduced selecting sounds to mix together, and Sountrap introduced cutting files and recording sounds into a DAW. Audacity builds upon that and works towards total customization. All three programs are free and accessible for students both inside the classroom and at home, so the possibilities are endless!
Motivation
When it comes to students and individual practice, motivation is an important factor. There are two types of motivation in terms of music: intrinsic and extrinsic. Students are heavily exposed to extrinsic motivators from a young age, such as verbal praise or token economies including stickers, toys, ice cream, and other various prizes. As students age, extrinsic motivation can become based on what peers think and the comments they give. The presence of extrinsic reinforcers is important throughout students' development, and the goal is for students to be motivated intrinsicly, on their own accord. This will ultimately lead into self-led practice and musicking.
Technology in Practice
Once students are intrinsically motivated and begin to manage their own personal rehearsal and development, they can be introduced to various technology to help them develop good habits. With the heavy prominence of smart phone in today's society, students have easy access to various free tuners and metronomes via apps to help them play in time, help them work on tough passages at slower tempi, and help them to realize good intonation. With their exposure to DAWs such as Soundtrap and Audacity, they can record themselves to listen and self evaluate, as well as share recordings with teachers and peers for feedback. The best thing is, students can achieve this without ever spending a dime, beyond the cost of a smart phone or computer.
For tuners, I recommend Tonal Energy. It is $3.99 but it is well worth the price.
Reference:
Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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