SmartMusic


 * 1. CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION**
 * Title: SmartMusicDeveloped by: MakeMusic, Inc.
 * Publisher: MakeMusic, Inc.
 * Copyright: 2009
 * Platform: Windows XP, Vista; Macintosh OS 10.4, 10.5, 10.6
 * System Requirements
 * Peripherals: The Intelligent Accompaniment, tuner, and assessment feature of SmartMusic require a microphone. The SmartMusic microphone is strongly recommended if you intend to use these features. A SmartMusic foot pedal is an optional accessory that enables hands-free operation of SmartMusic. An adaptor may be needed for a Macintosh computer; (SmartMusic recommends a USB adapter like the Griffin iMic).
 * Grade/Age: Elementary through College
 * Type of Class: Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Choir, Private Lessons


 * 2. TEACHER SUPPORT**

The teacher resource website provides links to instructions on presenting SmartMusic to administrators and parents, implementation into a performance curriculum, and lesson plans.


 * 3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**

From SmartMusic.com Website:

“SmartMusic students progress rapidly thanks to skill-building methods, stimulating practice exercises, helpful assessment tools, and accompaniments for more than 30,000 titles. SmartMusic is an interactive, computer-based practice system that provides students a richly personalized learning experience.”

SmartMusic is a practice tool for students. It provides warm-ups, accompaniments, and assessment tools.

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
 * National Music Standards that could be addressed by this program:**

SmartMusic’s discussion of the National Music Standards


 * 4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS**

SmartMusic features drill-and-practice music selections with an "intelligent accompaniment" feature. Its on-screen presentation is straightforward. It is streamlined to keep students focused (no graphics, etc). The program is very easy to use; the student can control/personalize settings with the click of a mouse. When students do not play the notes correctly, the notes are highlighted in red. The student can even loop a section of the piece that they keep playing incorrectly.

=
Also, students can access assignments from within the SmartMusic application, allowing students to easily view their grades and teacher’s feedback, which gives teachers better visibility of the music that students have performed.======

Teachers can also make assignments and assign them to the students. Students can then record themselves and the recording goes to the teacher as well. A fun way to get students to practice and a great way for teachers to assess.


 * Features include:**
 * [|SmartMusic Impact]
 * Intelligent Accompaniment
 * Immense Repertoire Library
 * Tempo Adjustment
 * Recording
 * Assessment
 * Exercises
 * Tuner
 * Metronome
 * Transposition
 * Practice Loops
 * Fingering Charts
 * Hearing Solo Line/Accompaniment
 * Playing by Ear
 * Improv Patterns
 * Jazz Exercises
 * Compatible with Finale® 2010 files


 * 5. RECORD KEEPING**

SmartMusic documents student/ensemble progress over time. This documentation is available to the educator's account only; there is no "hall of fame" for students to track each others progress.


 * 6. OVERALL EVALUATION**

The SmartMusic practice system is a wonderful use of technology in the band/orchestra/choir classroom. In these areas, the focus is so often on performance that educators forget to use technological resources. SmartMusic is inexpensive both for schools and students. Its repertoire library and Intelligent Accompaniment make practicing/performing solo pieces easier for students. In the same way, method books available through SmartMusic make practicing assigned lesson material more musical. The assessment feature, coupled with SmartMusic’s ability to send performance results to the educator, make it an excellent tool for evaluating a student’s practice habits and progress. SmartMusic organizes and puts into one program many aspects of a music educator’s teaching.

Rating: ++++

Reviewed by: Margaret Kiehl 4/10/05

Updated by: Brad Hruska 3/31/08, Alyssa Hoffert 10/17/09, Bryan Scotton 10/24/10