Musicianship+Basics


 * 1. CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION**
 * Title: **Musicianship Basics**
 * Developed by: **Gregory Lewis**
 * Publisher: **New Horizons Educational Computing Services** 
 * Copyright: **Unknown**
 * Platform**:** **Windows ALL versions with a 386 CPU or higher; Macintosh 7.1-10.3 (Classic Mode Only)**
 * Peripherals: **Speakers are necessary for the aural skills activities. Nothing else is needed**
 * Grade/Age: **K-12 and Beyond**
 * Type of Class: **General Music, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Private Lessons**


 * 2. TEACHER SUPPORT**

There is a basic manual for the teacher, but there’s little need for it because the program is so simple. There is also a Score Chart template (much like a typical Grade Book) so that teachers can record students’ scores as the scores are erased when the program is quit – the scores are not permanently saved on the Hard Drive, although future versions hope to have this capability.


 * 3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**

This is designed to be a drill utility. It provides students with many opportunities to review their knowledge of Rhythm, Notation, Aural skills, Basic Theory skills (intervals, scales and arpeggios).

National Music Standards addressed by this program are: 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.


 * 4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS**

Musicianship Basics is a drill-and-practice program, and if used as a review utility it is age appropriate for most age groups. The interface is very simple to follow and very easy to understand. There are very few distractions built into the program, which keeps students focused on the activity at hand. When a correct answer is entered, the program occasionally flashes encouraging words on the screen, and when activities are finished there is applause and voices shouting ‘Bravo’.


 * 5. RECORD KEEPING**

There is a Score Chart template (much like a standard Grade Book) for teachers to record students’ scores, since the scores are erased when the program is quit – the scores are not permanently saved on the Hard Drive, although future versions hope to have this capability.


 * 6. OVERALL EVALUATION**

Musicianship Basics is a great drill-and-practice system and works very well both in and out of the music/performance classroom. Musicianship Basic is inexpensive, with an unlimited site license only costing $225, and individual copies costing $53. The WIDE varieties of activities that are incorporated into this program make it a very comprehensive review system, and the LARGE number of difficulty levels makes it accessible to all age groups and skill levels. Once they incorporate a score recording system that can be recorded digitally, this program will become even more teacher-friendly.

Rating: +++

Reviewed by: Colin Milne 4/10/05