Blog Post #3

Blog Post #3
Topic: Summarize and reflect on what you've learned this week.
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            The use of technology to engage students in musical creativity can help provide enriching musical education opportunity for “other 80%” that are not enrolled in traditional performing ensembles. Applications such as Soundtrap, GarageBand and Soundation allow students to compose without requiring an extensive musical foundation. This week we explored Soundtrap and ways it can be used to technologically enhance the music classroom. This software was a great, accessible way to encourage creative expression in young musicians, digital natives and diverse learners in a technological musical context.
            
            Soundtrap is similar to GarageBand as it allows users to generate original compositions using built-in sound bytes, loops, instruments and digital audio imports or MIDI.  Compositions can be created with the loops provided, a combination of loops and MIDI input, or entirely with MIDI input. Using a very simple drag-and-drop user interface, instruments and sounds can be layered immediately. In my composition, “A Fistful of Funk,” I used a digital audio/loop combination. I had an idea and was able to realize much of my musical concept with the readily available loops and features. I had a great time putting the composition together even with the few troublesome moments I experienced with latency and the snap-to-grid feature. There are a multitude of tutorials out there, even on the site Lynda.com which we also explored this week, to help solve issues as they may arise. I also really appreciate that Soundtrap can be used on iOS, Android devices as well as any computer with a modern web browser. This is especially useful for educators who have limited access to technology other than their regular computer labs.
Soundtrap Project: A Fistful of Funk:
https://soundcloud.com/user-981617521/a-fistful-of-funk
            
            It is amazing what is available to our music students because of technology! Each week I am amazed at the technology that is out there and how easily accessed it all is. The software is available, has ready to use interfaces with transferable skill and we have only looked at a few offerings that are out there.  I firmly believe that music education is essential to a well rounded education and that technology can help us reach the “other 80%.” Soundtrap was a ton of fun for me and I am not a digital native. I would imagine it would be even more fun and easier for a digital native to access and explore. I am very excited about using it with my students in the future!

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