Music Technology for the K-12 Classroom

Lessonface Mixing Desk K-12 Technology

We educators consistently read research that points to the fact that technology can be a great pedagogical tool for the classroom. Given its ubiquity in the mobile age as well as the increase in the popularity of electronically-generated-or-enhanced music, this statement has probably never been more true for the music classroom.

Over here at Lessonface we did some curating for you to find some of the best apps, tools, and gadgets that you can implement into your music classroom. Know and love a tool that we didn't mention? Share the wealth in the comments section below.


Garageband

Garageband is a stellar tool for music composition, theory, and experimentation. Help students learn to harmonize by layering together different instruments into a symphonic masterpiece, let students experiment with basic sound production tools, or use a variety of instrument voices to create loops and beats to write a sick new track. If your students are a bit more focused on storytelling, let them use Garageband to create their own podcast.
Find Garageband for Mac on the App Store | Garageband for iPhone and iPad


SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a great way for students to be able to publish their recorded work. You can have students submit their pieces via SoundCloud and then leave comments during specific portions of the recording (or have their peers do so to foster further student-student engagement). Have a great recital that you want to publish for parents or share the soundtrack of your academic year? Build a SoundCloud playlist. If you have students that are especially talented and have an eye toward entrepreneurship, you can set them up to begin selling their work through SoundCloud's integreation with iTunes.
www.soundcloud.com


Noteflight

Imagine if your music notation notebook and your Google Drive had a baby (in a great way!). Noteflight is a fantastic tool for students to write their compositions using standard staff notations and then store and share via the cloud. There are multiple pricing options available for you to be able to select the level that's right for you and your students.
www.noteflight.com


Ear Trainer

Exactly like what it sounds like it is, Ear Trainer provides a little gamification to standard ear training. You'll see exercises helping students identify single notes, chords, and progressions.
View Ear Trainer in the iTunes store


Guitar Tuna

Nope, this isn't a jamming fish but rather a free (and leading) tuner for your stringed instruments. If the idea of a reliable guitar tuner in your pocket doesn't intice you, perhaps the free-included metronome will.
View Guitar Tuna in the iTunes store


Metronomes

Speaking of metronomes, we personally really like Play Metronome due to its versatility and comprehensiveness. You can configure it to work with various time signatures and note subdivisions. Looking for soemthing a touch more basic? Try using Metronome - a basic, familiar-looking metronome.


ScaleHelper

ScaleHelper helps you develop a personal syllabus and then provides feedback against your selected skills to build. ScaleHelper listens directly to your playing and then provides feedback. This is a great way to be able to equip students to be able to glean realtime feedback when they are practicing on their own.
View ScaleHelper in the iTunes store


Ableton Push

We have one word for this thing: rad. Push integrates directly with Abelton and allows users to create loops, beats, and melodies using a tactical interface (read: "buttons") to allow for in-the-moment mixing or to have a more hands-on feel to electronic music creation. Push also lets you make realtime adjustments to your various channels and outputs while weaving together loops, melodies, and beats.
Learn more at ableton.com


Tap rhythm games

Games such as Rock Life and Tap Electro - Revolution Revenge can be great tools to help students identify beats and patterns in music. Looking for something a little bit more kid-friendly for the K-3 classroom? Check out Dr. Seuss Band - similar concept but in a package that's a bit more appealing to younger music learners.


This list is meant by no means to be exhaustive. Help your fellow educators by sharing your favorite tools in the comments section below.

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