by John Kuzmich, Jr.

February 8 and 22, 2003 at the Dakota Ridge High School Computer Music Technology Lab

Power User Applications: Part I (8 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 in which Standard MIDI files are the common tread for interacting in these different software applications.

B. Notation Applications:

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 = 2 to 4 hours

1. Uses:

a. Web pages
b. Practice tapes and CD’s
c. 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 Band-In-A-Box grant.

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

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

a. On-line tutorial: http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box3.html
b. Product review: http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box2.html
c. 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 35 articles published on-line.

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

F. Music Scanning Applications: 2 to 3 hours: SmartScore at: http://www.smartscore.com and PhotoScore at: http://www.neuratron.com

1. MUSIC READING SOFTWARE: Tomorrow's Applications Today: http://www.sbomagazine.com/sbomag/nov00/technology.html

2. Archive music scores for permanent notation engraving. Important when trying
to replace missing parts.

3. Replace missing parts. Very easy to do and welcomed by all teachers
especially when many compositions go out-of-print.

4. Transpose parts/scores instantly. Beats writing out the parts by hand.

5. Re-orchestrate a score easily.

6. Convert sheet music into your sequencer or notation program for new
compositional ideas. Copy and paste is incredibly easy to do.

7. Efficiently perform a score to better assess the score than if "live" musicians
are available, with no rehearsal time required. Sometimes the only way to hear
what the score should sound like! Great for students and educators alike.

8. Output sequencer accompaniments directly to audio cassettes for student use.
Great for practice.

G. Sequencing Applications: 2 to 4 hours. SEQUENCING/DIGITAL: Creative Recording Techniques at: http://www.sbomagazine.com/sbomag/sep02/technology.html and Digital Audio Recording Technology: The Sequencing Market at: http://www.sbomagazine.com/sbomag/oct02/technology.html

1. MasterTracks Pro, Power Tracks Audio Pro: http://www.gmusic.com/powertracks.htm and Home Studio XL and Sonar at: http://www.cakewalk.com

2. Superscope PSD 300 at: <http://www.superscopetechnologies.com>.

3. “25 Ways To Use The MIDI Sequencer In The Music Classroom & Rehearsal” http://www.lentine.com/articles/25_ways.htm

4. As you are playing a file, you should easily be able to:

a. Adjust tempo during performance.
b. Adjust tempo and dynamics while a piece is playing.
c. Re-orchestrate or move tracks, change instruments or add instrument sounds.
d. Link and play song files continuously, one after the other.
e. Define rehearsal points and set playback settings so the same section will repeat the number of times you specify for practice.
f. Adjust tuning of performance to match other acoustic instruments (piano, organ, etc).
g. Adjust your playback using SMPTE time code so that performances can
be "locked" to video for media projects.

5. Sequencing Teaching Resources Books on Recording Technology

“Sequencing Basics,” by Don Muro, Warner Bros., Miami, Fla., 1998. I use this
text in my basic instruction book for my primer-level students.

“The Art of Sequencing,” by Don Muro, Warner Bros., Miami, Fla., 1993. This is a step-by-step approach in 157 pages. I use this text as my basic instruction
book.

“Tech Terms,” by George Petersen and Steve Oppenheimer, Hal Leonard,
Milwaukee, Wis., 1993. This book contains all the technology vocabulary you will
ever need to know.

“Teaching Music Technology,” by Thomas E. Rudolph, GIA Publishing,
Chicago, Ill., 1996. This book presents a great overview of music technology for
the educator.

“Practical Recording Techniques,” by Bruce and Jenny Bartlett, Focal Press.

“Yamaha’s Sound Reinforcement Handbook,” by Gary Davis and Ralph Jones.
Good encyclopedia of sound. Very detailed.

“The Art of Mixing,” by David Gibson, Mix Books. It is a great intro to mixing
theory and has an accompanying video.

Videos on Recording Technology

“The MIDI Sequencer in the Classroom,” by Thomas E. Rudolph and Ken
Peters, GIA Publications, Chicago, Ill., 1997, 45 minutes. This is a good video for
educator applications in the classroom.

“The Art of Sequencing,” by Don Muro, Warner Bros., Miami, Fla., 1993. This
step-by-step approach to sequencing fundamentals, with a 157-page
companion book, is very clear and organized.

“The Basics of Home Recording,” volumes I, II, III and IV, MVP Home
Entertainment, Canoga Park, Calif., 1997. This video provides explanations of
how to set up and use a home multi-track recorder, a MIDI studio and how to
use different types of outboard gear and how to mix recordings to sound their
best. URL: http://www.mvphomevideo.com.

“The Basics of Digital Home Recording,” volumes I, II and III, MVP Home
Entertainment, Canoga Park, Calif., 1999. Learn PC-based and hard disk
recording. Learn about choosing software, PC requirements, MIDI, virtual vs.
audio track from beginning, intermediate to advanced recording techniques.
URL: www.mvphomevideo.com.

Recommended Web Sites Featuring Recording Techniques/Technology

ArtistPro: www.artistpro.com. Great recording education Web site, including
MixBooks, EM Books, and others.

Electronic Musician: http://www.emusician.com. This Web site has back issues from 2001 online at no charge and is a fantastic resource for students and teachers
alike.

Mix Magazine: http://www.mixonline.com. This Web site has all back issues online on
a purchase basis; a very good resource.

H 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.

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