Jazz
Education Technology Options:
A
to Z and Beyond
With "Digital Magic!"
(Work In Progress)
by
John Kuzmich, Jr. with Special Assistance from Leigh Kallestad of MakeMusic
February 18, 2006 at 3 p.m.
2006 Texas Music Educators Conference
Henry
B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas
Comprehensive
On-Line Hand-Oust with all links available at:
Comprehensive
On-Line Hand-Out at: http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts/Jazz%20Education%20Technology%20Options.html
Entire workshop is also audio streamed at: http://www.kuzmich2.com/2006TMEA/2006TMEA.html
for 85+ minutes
What Are The Essential
Ingredients to Jazz Education?
- Membership in the International Association of Jazz Educators is highly
recommended. Go to: http://www.iaje.org
- Membership in TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators) is highly recommended: Go to http:/www.ti-me.org
- Philosophy and Music Rationale with emphasis on "Comprehensive Musicianship."
- Skill development: performance techniques that goes beyond far beyond music reading with creative music activities
- Music knowledge: music interpretation demands that encompasses multi-musical styles
- Attitude development: aesthetics that encompass performance techniques with music knowledge.
- Curriculum with musical skills as:
- Listening
- Analyzing
- Creating
- Performing
- Applied performance techniques
- Combo/Improvisation: the essence of jazz education
- Musical styles
- Music history
- Creative scheduling within the given class periods!
Answers to these essential jazz education ingredients and more can be found at: http://www.kuzmich.com/jazzbooks.html
- The future of music technology is what's happening today with softsynths. Softsynths with VST Interface Usage for third-party software
programmers to create and sell virtual instruments for notation, digital/audio
sequencers and other software applications. VST hosts include: Cubase,
Fruityloops, Sonar,
Abelton Live, Garage Band 3 , Audacity
and others. Competing systems include Apple Computer's Audio
Units, Microsoft's
DirectSound, Digidesign's
AudioSuite, Real-time
AudioSuite, LADSPA,
DSSI for Linux, and TDM. Here are some examples below for your perusal.
Clarification of softsynths built for proprietary software as Finale
2006 and Sibelius 4.0. The differences between the two versions have
to do with the way the notation programs work and how GPO integrates. Sibelius
and Finale each work differently. Both GPO versions were custom tailored and
specifically programmed for the respective notation programs. GPO Finale takes
advantage of Human playback and other features. The Sibelius edition incorporated
some of the plugins (crescendo/diminuendo, legato/slur/keyswitch) and takes
advantage of Sibelius' expression feature. Finale has the ambience reverb
whereas Sibelius does not.
Sibelius Sounds is a range of high-quality collections of sound samples for Sibelius 3/4 and G7 with 1) Kontact Gold at: http://www.sibelius.com/products/kontakt_player/, 2) Garritan Personal Orchestra (Sibelius Edition) and 3) Rock & Pop Collection . For detailed info, go to: http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius_sounds/
-
The Garritan Sibelius Edition allows for you to choose a sound set that includes both Garritan and Kontakt Gold sounds. This includes both orchestral and Big Band instruments, and you need to have Kontakt Gold to make it work. Kontakt Gold retails for $149. GPO Sibelius Edition retails for $219.
-
If someone already has the stand-alone GPO, they can purchase the GPO Sibelius Edition at a discounted price of $49.00. To order this, they just need to call their service center: 1-888-474-2354. After taking the credit card, they will be directed to a site where they can download the GPO Sibelius Edition.
- For frequently asked questions about pertaining to softsynths with Sibelius, go to: http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius_sounds/faq.html
Finale 2006 features Human Playback integration. There is amazing tutorial to
peruse at: http://www.garritan.com/support/GPOHPiTutorialSupplement.pdf.
The regular version of GPO integrates directly with Finale. For Sibelius,
there is a special edition that is a separate product. http://sibelius.com/products/gpo_sibelius/
which has an excellent presentation about their softsynths. The versions of
both Finale 2006 and Sibelius 4.0 ship with a lite version. It has enough
to get a person going to make orchestrations. The upgrades to the full version
gives the user many more instruments and patches (3x the amount).
The Garritan Jazz & Big Band Library (JBBL) at: http://www.garritan.com/ represents the ultimate first in jazz softsynths. This library contains over 50 individual instruments, and each instrument offers a great deal of real-time control. For compositional purposes, there are separate and distrinct instruments in eadch of the sections. These can be played back (in sequencing and notation software) in a way consistent with most standard arrangements. There are no unison section samples and each instrument has its own unique voice. This lends itself to jazz writing which is improvisational and indidvidualist by nature. Techniques unique to a particular instrument type are also represented (e.g. trumpet falloffs, doits, and even the characteristic "kiss" or "rip" when a high note is released. Shakes have been designed with the future application of scripting in mind, so that shakes can be tailored to specific needs rather than limited to switchable recordings of particular shakes. Note: Garritan also has special versions for Propellerhead Reason and Cakewalk's Dimension Pro. Dimension Pro is a unqiue audio engine that combines sampling with advanced synthesis capabilities, giving you a wide array of sound possibilities. It works on the Mac and Windows platforms and is compatible with hosts that support DirectX, VST, or Audio Units.
For complete big-band arrangments, it is recommended a 2.8 GHz or better computer (Mac or PC). For small jazz ensembles, less powerful computers are needed. The next update will include a "lite" folder containing instruments that are less demanding on computer resources. The library works as a plug-in in Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Sonar, GarageBand, ProTools, Nuendo, FL Studio, Samplitude, Tracktion, etc. or with noation programs. it integrates directly in Finale 2006 and also works with most other notation programs (like Sibelius) with the Garritan Studio host. The Garritan Personal Orchestra pioneered the use of samples with notation programs ot obtrain realistic playback directly from a score; JBBL does the same for jazz sounds.
Hints for making RAM and hard disk drive more functionalon Windows computers for softsynth operation.
- Reduced color settings in Windows via color quality to 16 bit instead of 32 bit by clicking on the desktop, then go to properities and and change color quality accordingly.
- Go to System Tools in Accessories. Then select Disk Cleanup and eliminate unnecessary files (Temporary Files, etc.)
- Defrag hard disk drive
- Appropriate Jazz Web Links to Open Up Your Perspective of Jazz Education,
K-12, and Beyond!
- Hardware Solutions: Variable Pitch/Tempo CD Players/Recorders for
Creative Practicing.. Not as flexible as software applications in
pitch/tempo flexibility but very easy to use and in some cases, you literally
have a recording studio in a box without the need for a computer. Thus, dedicated
hardware solutions make great portable systems. Recommended external speakers
for maximum digital audio quality. For a rather in-depth preview of automatic
accompaniment generating software/hardware/play-along/transcribing applications,
go to: http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts/2006TMEA_workshop.html
- Software Solutions
are inexpensive and very flexible and powerful for their cost.
- Jazz Ear Training
- Auralia
by Sibelius at: http://www.sibelius.com.
Offers jazz chord imitation, jazz forms, jazz scale singing, jazz
scales, jkazz chord singing, jazz chords, and jazz progressions.
- EarTraining
Pro 5 and EarTraining
School 5 USA distributed by emediamusic.com.
Contains 211 jazz tutor lessons (besides 440 standard lessons) in
recognizing jazz chords and jazz chord progressions. It also offers
both swing and straight rhythm lessons in the areas: rhythm (sight)
reading, rhythm imitation and rhythm correction.
- Band-In-A-Box published by
PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com.
Offers jazz ear training, "Chord Tutor," "Guess a New Chord Game," and
"Interval Tutor."
- Jazz Theory
- Jazz Funamentals by Allen
Carter at: http://www.acmuzik.com
- Essentials
of Jazz Theory by Shelton G. Berg, published
Alfred Publishing at: http://www.alfred.com
will updated from their present textbook of the same name. It will
have about 72 lessons with a CD-ROM covering a myriad of jazz theory
iconcepts suitable for classroom instruction. The textbook is in three
volumes along with a Teacher's Answer Key book. Offers a
comprehensive approach to music theory concepts needed for jazz instruction.
- Outside Shore Music A Jazz Improvisation Primer
by Marc Sabatella, publsihed by Outside Shore Music at: http://www.outsideshore.com/primer/primer/index.html
. A good on-line jazz theory web site.
Jazz Improvisation
- SmartMusic
by MakeMusic. 13 essential improvisation patterns, See piano, bass and
drum parts as performed in "real" time.. Learn to read chord
changes by responding automatically toc hord symbols. Play by ear exercises
to develop the critical skill of playing what is in your mind.
- eMedia Intermediate
Piano & Keyboard Method, volume 2 at: http://www.emediamusic.com
- Band-In-A-Box
published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com.
Uses the Band-In-A-Box Soloist Feature.
- Automatic Accompaniment Generating with extended amount
pitch/tempo/looping variations possible. Several excellent products are
available all featuring the basics and advanced features. Playback musicality
has really improved over the years. Can create a quality automatic accompaniment
in literally seconds or perhaps a minute or two. Love the variety of music
styles that are available with authentic sounding accompaniments. Recommended
that a quality speaker system be used for maximum sound quality because
internal computer speakers are generally unsatisfactorily at best. For
a rather in-depth preview of automatic accompaniment generating software/hardware/play-along/transcribing
applications, go to: http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts/2006TMEA_workshop.html
- Transcribing. Very flexible usage in changing pitch/tempo/looping
that is great for your CD recordings. Relatively inexpensive, offering
a lot of applications. For a rather in-depth preview of automatic accompaniment
generating software/hardware/play-along/transcribing applications, go
to: http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts/2006TMEA_workshop.html
- Jazz Instrument Techniques
- Jazz Ensemble Pedagogy
- Jazz Saxophone
- Jazz Saxophonist
published by PG Music at: http://www.pgmusic.com/jazzsaxophonist.htm.
Nearly an hour of hot jazz plus tips and tehcniqiues. Works seamlessly
integrated withi MultiTrack audio, MIDI, chord symbols and musici
notation.
- Rock Saxophone
- Rock Saxophonist
published by PG Music at: http://www.pgmusic.com/rocksaxophonist.htm.
Nearly an hour of hot rock plus tips and tehcniqiues. Works seamlessly
integrated withi MultiTrack audio, MIDI, chord symbols and musici
notation.
- Drum
-
Piano
- Keyboard Jazz
Harmonies and Keyboard
Extended Jazz Harmonies by Joe Brownlee, published
by http://www.ecsmedia.com
- eMedia Piaino
& Keyboard Method, volume 1, by eMedia
at: http://www.emediamusic.com.
Over 300 step-by-step lessons from basics to music notation, sight
reading, scales and more.
- Oscar Peterson
Multimedia published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com/products_op.htm.
Muiltimediai CD with interactive auidiod/visual performances with
on-screen piano display and notation.
- Oscar Peterson
"Note-for-Note" Transcriptions published
by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com/products_op.htm.
18 full-length transcriptions all taken directly from original
recordings.
- Latin Pianist
published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com/lpiano.htm.
Over 50 tunes played on a MIDI keyboard.Includes authentici Latin
and Salsa piano songs and styles such as Conga, Cumbia, Meregue,
Son, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Guaracha, Samba, Partido Alto, and more.
- The Blues Pianist,
volumes 1 and 2, http://www.pgmusic.com/blupiano.htm.
Contains huge library of 60 original blues tunes.
- Modern Jazz
Pianist published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com/mupiano.htm
- Jazz Piano Master
Class published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com/pianolessons.htm
- Blues Piano
Master Class, volume 1, published by PG Music.
http://www.pgmusic.com/bluespianomasterclass.htm
- Dick Hyman's Century of Jazz Piano published by JSS Music at: http://www.dickhyman.com/. Features 103 tunes, over 5 hours of music, and more than 60 artists' styles with 30 minutes of historical videos and 60 minutes of video lessons by Dick Hyman.
-
Guitar
-
Bass
- eMedia Bass Method published by eMedia at: http://www.emediamusic.com.
Features 114 step-by-step lessons. Over 200 songs and exercises.
- Vocals
- Jazz Composition
- Notation:
- Sibelius 4.0
Sibelius at: http://www.sibelius.com.
Latest jazz features:
- Finale 2006
by MakeMusic at http://www.makemuisic.com
- Band-In-A-Box automatic harmonizer
- MiBAC rhythm section generator
- Ability to create SmartMusic Accompaniments (visit
http://www.smartmusic.com
to learn of all the new jazz features in version 9.0.1).
- Seamless integration with Garritan Jazz and Big Band
sounds (available separately)
- Exercise Wizard with 56,000 scales and other warmup patterns.
- Jazz Fonts included for handwritten appearance
- Compatibility with Free Finale NotePad - so all your
students or band members can open/print/play/edit/save
your charts as well as create their own - for free
- Drum Groove plug-in
- More features listed at http://www.fainlemusic.com/finale/features/
- Plug-ins let you add capabilities to Finale for specialized
notation tasks. The following plug-ins are included in
Finale 2006 at: http://www.finalemusic.com/finale/plugins.aspx
- Interactive Arranging by Allen Carter, published
by AC Muzik at: http://www.acmuzik.com/flash.html
- Band-In-A-Box published by PG Music. http://www.pgmusic.com.
There is a Melodist Feature for composing melodies and counter-melodies.
Automatic accompaniment generator for instant compositions
via chord symbols and music style selection.
Digital/Audio Sequencing:
- Music Looping
- Super Duper Music Looper by Sony Media Software at: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Products/ShowProduct.asp?PID=535
For elementary school general music students.
- Pick, paint and play style interface
- Includes 10 complete demo songs
- 706 music loops
- Volume, key and tempo controls
- Audio recording (microphone needed)
- Easy song sharing via e-mail
- WAV or WMA export
- Online help
- Quick start manual
- Jam Trax by Sony Media Software at: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?pid=985&keycode=8531
For middle school general music students.
- Pick, paint and play style interface
- Includes 10 complete demo songs
- 600 music loops
- Volume, key and tempo controls
- Audio recording (microphone needed)
- Easy song sharing via e-mail
- WAV or WMA export
- Online help
- Quick start manual
- Acid Music Studio by by Sony Media Software at: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Products/ShowProduct.asp?PID=971.
High school level.
- DirectX® and VST audio effect support: Increase your mixing options with DirectX effects, including tempo-based effects, and VST audio plug-ins.
- VST instrument support: Play back your MIDI tracks through virtual synthesizers, filters, and effects.
- ASIO driver support: Low-latency ASIO driver support provides faster results during playback and recording, plus adds support for additional sound cards.
- Customizable project media folders: Set default folders and save locations for projects and other types of media to fit your workflow.
- Keyboard command loop composition: Use your computer keyboard to insert loops and one-shots in real time as your project plays back.
- New! Includes over 1,700 music loops
- New! Enhanced audio timestretching/beat detection
- New! Customizable project media folders
- Intuitive pick, paint, and play interface
- Arrange and edit audio loops
- Automatic pitch and tempo matching
- Alternate time signature support
- Real-time loop previewing
- Includes enhanced tutorials
- Unlimited audio tracks
- Easy live recording
- Supports multiple file formats in the same project
- CD extraction and burning
- Import support for AIFF, MP3, OGG, PCA, MIDI, SFA, W64, WAV, WMA, AVI, BMP, GIF, JPG, SWF, TGA, TIF, and Windows Media® 9
- 16-bit/48kHz audio support
- Acid Pro 6 by Sony Media Software at http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/acidpro6_brochure.pdf. College and professional level.
- Over 1,000 loops.
- Will be released in March, 2006. See URL above for all features.
- Web Posting
- Scorch is the free viewer software which lets you view, play, customize and print Sibelius scores on the Internet.at: http://www.sibelius.com/products/scorch/
- Finale 2006 web posting does not require a separate viewer.
- Individuals wishing to share Finale scores on the Internet can make Finale files
available for download on their site, and provide links to download Finale Notepad:
http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/default.aspx.
- Because Notepad is a
stand-alone application and not a browser plug-in it works for everyone,
regardless of browsers and offers the ability to create and edit files.
- Finale users can also share
files via the Finale Showcase at http://www.finalemusic.com/showcase
- Sample web HTML coding is: <a href="affair.mus">Affair
with Affinity</a>
- Play-Along Repertory: 1,000+ Albums. Can’t
live without play-along repertory for the touch of real musicians! Works great
with both transcription software and dedicated hardware solutions. Offers the
best audio solutions. For a rather in-depth preview of automatic accompaniment
generating software/hardware/play-along/transcribing applications, go to: http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts/2006TMEA_workshop.html
- Jazz Books: http://www.jazzbooks.com.
Contains over 114 CD play-along albums comprising jazz artists, bebop, blues,
drums, fusion, improv, Latin/bossa, singer/vocalist and standards.
- Hal
Leonard Corp. Web: http://www.halleonard.com
and http://www.kuzmich.com/hal_leonard_summary.html.
Many of their play-alongs have either tempo or pitch adjustments capabilities
via software that comes with the CD.
- Hal Leonard Guitar Play-Along Series (nearly 60
volumes available): Lets you adjust the tempo without changing the pitch.
- Hal Leonard Bass Play-Along Series (7 volumes available):
Lets you adjust the tempo without changing the pitch.
- Hal Leonard Drum Play-Along Series (5 volumes available):
Lets you adjust the tempo without changing the pitch.
- Pro Vocal Play-Along Series (17 volumes available): Lets
you adjust the recording to any pitch without changing the tempo.
- Music
Minus One Corporation. Web: http://www.musicminusone.com.
Created the play-along market in 1950 and now offers more than 1,000 play-alongs
in classical, rock, jazz, country and other musical categories.
- Alfred
Publications: Web: http://www.alfred.com:
the Gordon Goodwin Big PHAT Band CD is particularly "hot." Rhythm
Section Workout book has a DVD/CD is pedagogically important for jazz education
in covering the drum-set, guitar, piano and bass techniques.
- Theodore
Presser Company. Web: http://www.presser.com
- Mel
Bay Music. Web: http://www.melbaymusic.co
- Paul Carman Music: Web: http://www.paulcarman.com
- On-Line Technology Courses
- BerkleeMusic.Com at: http://www.berkleemusic.com/.
Sixty plus on-line music technology courses in the areas of production,
songwriting, guitar, arranging, theory, harmony and ear training. Professional
programs include Master's degree (8 to 12 courses), Professional Certificate
(5 of 6 courses) and Specialist Certificate (3 courses). More info at:
http://www.iaje.org/article.asp?ArticleID=136.
More music technology is accessible to music educators more than ever
before and many of it is jazz education related! Note: these courses are
not workshops but rather full-semester college-level courses delivered
on-linie and accredited by NEASC, a regional accrediting board for the
United States Northeast region. For a complete list of their 60+ courses,
go to: http://www.berkleemusic.com/school/courses/all
- Music Technology Reference Books
For more information, John Kuzmich, Jr.’s e-mail address is: jkuzmich@earthlink.net and his
web site is: http://www.kuzmich.com