Technology Apps for Band Class
By: Nevada CL
Fingering - Woodwind and Brass
Benefits:
Has fingerings for all the common brass and woodwind instruments as well as less used instruments
By dragging pitches one can easily show fingerings for each instrument (as well as alternate fingerings)
Shows the pitch on different clefs and the piano so students can see the range
Easily accessible
User friendly
Disadvantage:
- Costs $ ($8.49)
Classroom Usage:
- Easy aid for students to learn fingerings
- Students can use anytime during class to review fingerings
Find App HERE!
forScore
Benefits:
Users can scan all of their sheet music into the app for organization
Edit functions include notes, comments, half page turns, etc
No more ‘lost charts’
Share music through Dropbox and Google Docs
Create and share setlists
Disadvantages:
Costs $ ($13.99)
Must have device charged or you have no music
- If there is a glitch, your program shuts down and you have to restart
Classroom Usage:
- Students can use any time in addition to or instead of using a band folder of music
Find App HERE!
Remind
Benefits:
Ability to text reminders and updates to students and parents with one message
One-way communication means you are not bombarded with replies
Simple, easy to use
Free
Disadvantages:
Parents and students have to sign up and use the code receive messages
Not every student may have a cellphone
Classroom Usage:
- Teachers can use to send concert reminders/updates
- Teachers can send class outlines in the morning so students know what music to organize or review for class
Find App HERE!
GarageBand
Benefits:
Multifunctioning - students can use this for recording themselves, practicing with a metronome or with teacher created tracks, creating their own compositions/musical ideas, recording rehearsals or difficult portions of pieces for later review, etc.
Contains metronome and tuner
Basic functions are easy to use
Disadvantages:
System can be complicated as there are so many applications for the program
Cost $ ($6.99)
Classroom Usage:
- Students can record rehearsals
- Students can record themselves playing for scale and repertoire playing tests to save class time and send tracks to instructor for marking and feedback
Find App HERE!
Ear Trainer
Benefits:
Covers all aural skills outlined in 7-9 and 10-12 band curriculum
User friendly
Can be used anytime, anywhere (Any Time, Any Place, Any Pace)
Disadvantages:
- Cost $ ($9.99)
Classroom Usage:
- Students can wear headphones and work on ear training exercises for a portion of classes
- Students can screenshot progress and send it to the instructor for further feedback, advice or grade
Find App HERE!