Jefferson County Computer Music Technology In-Service

by John Kuzmich, Jr.

November 18, 2002 at the Dakota Ridge High School Computer Music Technology Lab

Power User Applications: Part I (two-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.

B. Notation:

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

1.Uses:

a. Web pages

b. Practice tapes and CD’s 

d. 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 grant with Band-In-A-Box.

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

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

a. Nine On-line tutorials inside of the Help menus in Band IN-A-Box software.

b. On-line tutorial:http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box3.html

c Product review:http://www.kuzmich.com/band-in-a-box2.html

d 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 30 articles published on-line.

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

F. Need computers for your classroom? I regularly get computers donated to me.For example, University of Denver has just offered me 25 CPU’ and 15 monitors to donate; plus assorted keyboards, mice, etc. All equipment works! Who qualifies for these computers: teachers who have taken my workshops! You qualify. But I have problems. Maybe you can help me?

1.First problem: Some computers may be missing so peripheral parts: sound card, RAM, but most are in tact!

2.Second problem: I don’t have a car big enough to pick up all the computers in one load.I need help.

3.Third problem: I have a storage facility to store these items.Can anybody help me? 

G: 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.

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

I: Looking for graduate credit learning about Power User Applications, General music applications and web development for music educators?Go to: <http://www.kuzmich.com/handouts.html> for nine different classes ranging from 1 to 3 graduate credits from Colorado School of Mines all taught at Dakota Ridge High School and sponsored by the Dakota Ridge High School Instrumental Music Boosters Organization.