Jefferson County Computer Music Technology In-Service

by John Kuzmich, Jr.

 

November 18, 2002 at the Dakota Ridge High School Computer Music Technology Lab

 

Power User Applications: Part I (two-hours)

 

A. Power User Applications versus Conventional User Oriented Tutorial/Drill & Practice?

 

1.Project Orientation for performance orientation versus music theory, ear training, music history, general music, etc.

 

2. Power-User Applications: notation, automatic accompaniment generation, music scanning and sequencing software applications.

 

B.  Notation:

 

1.Finale and Sibelius are the prime alternatives. Believe me you have some good and difficult choices!

 

a.     Finale family (2003 at $290, Finale Allegro ($199), Finale Guitar ($99), PrintMusic 2002 ($69), Finale Notepad Plus ($29) and Finale Notepad (free) versus one Sibelius product at $290.00.You have many choices.  Good luck going through the following tutorials.

 

2. Tutorial: Find out for yourself!

 

a.  Finale basics: Finale 2003 Clinic Outline (handout:A-1)

b.  Finale keyboard emphasis: “Quick Guide to Finale” (handout:A-2)

c.  Finale Whistle and Bell features (handout:A-3)

d.  Finale 2003 Quick Reference Card for Windows (handout:A-4)

e.  Hot’s new notation product for the dollar: Finale Guitar.  See handout A-5 for details.

f.   Sibelius 2 Clinic Outline (handout: B-1)

g.  Basic Guide to what is new and different in Sibelius version 2.0 (handout: B-2)

h.  Basic Shortcuts in Sibelius 2 (handout: B-3)

I . Sibelius: Basic Notation Skills Using Sibelius Session 1 (handout: B-4)

j.  Sibelius mouse pad with quick references (being used at every workstation!)

k.  Pointers for Using the Arrange Feature in Sibelius (handout: B-5)

 

C.  Automatic Accompaniment Generating Software

 

1.Uses:

 

a.  Web pages

b.  Practice tapes and CD’s 

d.  Improvised solos

d.  Harmonized melodies and automatic rhythm section accompaniments for compositions that can be imported into your favorite notation and/or sequencing software application.

e.  Produce rhythm section parts for notation and sequencing software applications.

f.  Jazz improvisation practice in all diatonic keys and at any tempo.

g.  Accompaniment applications: see Roslyn Kuzmich about her general music grant with Band-In-A-Box.

 

2.  Band-In-A-Box tutorials: see nine tutorials in the help section.

 

3.Band In-A-Box on-line editorial information

 

a.  Nine On-line tutorials inside of the Help menus in Band IN-A-Box software.

b.  On-line tutorial:http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box3.html

c   Product review:http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box2.html

d   Product review:http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box.html

 

4.  Band In-A-Box Editorial Review: November, 1997 issue of the Jazz Educators Journal  (handout:C-1)

 

5.  Band In-A-Box Chord Syllabus. (handout:C-2)

 

D. On-line music technology articles from my music technology column in School Band & Orchestra magazine:http://www.sbomagazine.com/technology.html with over 30 articles published on-line.

 

E.  Nine Music Technology Clinic Handouts:http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts.html

 

F. Need computers for your classroom?  I regularly get computers donated to me.For example, University of Denver has just offered me 25 CPU’ and 15 monitors to donate; plus assorted keyboards, mice,          etc. All equipment works!  Who qualifies for these computers: teachers who have taken my workshops!  You qualify.  But I have problems.  Maybe you can help me?

 

1.First problem:  Some computers may be missing so peripheral parts: sound card, RAM, but most are in tact!

 

2.Second problem: I don’t have a car big enough to pick up all the computers in one load.I need help.

 

3.Third problem: I have a storage facility to store these items.Can anybody help me? 

 

G: Future questions: contact me at: jkuzmich@jeffco.k12.co.us or numeric pager at 303-208-6769 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

 

H:  Visit my web site for more ideas at: http://www.kuzmich.com

 

I:   Looking for graduate credit learning about Power User Applications, General music applications and web development for music educators?Go to: <http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts.html> for nine different classes ranging from 1 to 3 graduate credits from Colorado School of Mines all taught at Dakota Ridge High School and sponsored by the Dakota Ridge High School Instrumental Music Boosters Organization.