Low Cost MusicTechnology Options For The Music Education Classroom
Low Cost MusicTechnology Options For The Music Education Classroom

Finding ways to stretch your budget in a music classroom is always important and even more so when trying to purchase high tech electronics, software, and other materials.  This article provides an updated list of dozens of different low cost or free alternatives to expensive music education products.  It includes such categories as music notation software, drill design software, special needs hardware, and many more.

 

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The Star Spangled Banner- Free Sheet Music For Band Inst.
The Star Spangled Banner- Free Sheet Music For Band Inst.

This document contains sheet music for all common instruments to play The Star Spangled Banner, also known as the sheet music to the National Anthem of the United States of America. You can view the sheet music online or download the individual parts arranged for all common concert band instruments.  If you do not see your instrument listed please scroll to the bottom of the page and try one of the the other instruments.  Most musicians will be able to find at least one instrumental part that matches their range and preferred key signature.  If you are seeking a simple piano version of the song please select from the voice, trumpet, or alto saxophone versions.

 

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Using Plickers as an Assessment Tool in the Music Education Classroom
Using Plickers as an Assessment Tool in the Music Education Classroom

Music, band, choir, and orchestra classrooms can be huge and assessing the knowledge and retention of individual students in such a large class can be daunting.  Plickers are one of several solutions that can be adapted to work in large groups, making the act of assessing a student’s understanding a little easier and a whole lot faster.  

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Is Marching Band A Sport? Pros, Cons, and a Reality Check
Is Marching Band A Sport? Pros, Cons, and a Reality Check

In recent years the question of whether or not marching band is a sport has been brought up time and time again for various reasons and by various groups.  On one side you have the YES crowd who says that marching band is competitive, physically demanding, and every bit as much a team event as any traditional sporting event.  On the other side of the coin are those who say no, that marching band is NOT a sport and it is a musical pursuit that happens to involve coordinated movements.  Both sides are right, but to make a final decision we need to look deeper into the facts.  Read on to find out what they are!

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Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide With Reviews
Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide With Reviews

Scroll down to view the comparison chart of over a dozen different portable digital audio recorders.

Buying a portable digital audio recorder is a major decision.  The balance between price, features, and quality is a fine line that has many different options to choose from.  There are dozens of different models of portable digital audio recorders, some of which have drastically different sets of features yet sell for roughly the same price.  This easy to read head to head comparison chart and guide to many of the more popular portable digital audio recorders is intended to help potential buyers more easily see these differences and make an educated buying decision.

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Apps and More for the Choral Classroom
Apps and More for the Choral Classroom

The number of apps, software, and gadgets available for use in the music classroom continues to grow each year but finding things that can actually be beneficial to your classes grows more and more difficult as well.  We spoke with Dr. Christopher Russell, Director of Choirs at Oltman Middle School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota to get his must-have list of apps.

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Buying a Guitar Amp for a School Music Program

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altWhile most band teachers have at least some knowledge of guitar and guitar music, many may find themselves clueless when it comes to buying equipment. With budgets tightening all over the country, a little knowledge can go a long way when replacing old or broken equipment such as amplifiers.

 

This article presents an overview of five guitar amplifiers under $500 that would be suitable for use in a school band program. Each amp would be able to function in a jazz, rock, pop or funk setting, and are all relatively close to the same size, weight and level of output.

Roland AC-60 Acoustic Chorus

·         Price: $495 USD

·         Output: Stereo 30 Watt Solid State

·         Weight: 22 lbs

·         Speaker Size: 2 x 6.5”

·         Channels: 2

·         Effects: Chorus, Delay, Reverb

·         Extras: Comes with anti-feedback controls to help eliminate accidental feedback.

Roland Cube

·         Price: $400 USD

·         Output: 60 Watt Solid State

·         Weight: 32 lbs

·         Speaker Size: 12”

·         Channels: 2

·         Effects: Delay, Reverb, Tremolo, Chorus, Flange, Phase

·         Extras: Come with a line in and tuner/extension speaker out.

Peavey ValveKing 112 Combo

·         $420 USD

·         Output: 50 Watt All Tube

·         Weight: 44.5 lbs

·         Speaker Size: 12”

·         Channels: 2 with footswitch

·         Effects: Reverb, Distortion

·         Extras: Comes with an effects loop, external speaker output and “boost” pedal that increases the level of distortion.

Marshall MG100DFX Combo

·         Price: $440 USD

·         Output: 100 Watt Solid State

·         Weight: 52 lbs

·         Speaker Size: 12”

·         Channels: 2 with footswitch

·         Effects: Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flange, Distortion

·         Extras: Comes with a CD line in, line out and headphone jack.

Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior

·         Price: $480 USD

·         Output: 15 Watt All Tube

·         Dimensions: 31 lbs

·         Speaker Size: 12”

·         Channels: 1 channel

·         Effects: Reverb, Distortion

·         Extras: Comes with a “fat” switch that thickens up the guitars tone without adjusting the tone knobs.

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