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This free downloadable version of Finale NotePad is great for basic composition projects. The software boasts its "Human Playback" feature which is designed to demonstrate expressive musical nuances, giving it a more realistic sound rather than being merely computer generated. NotePad has excellent sound quality and includes over 128 built-in instrument voices. 

This free downloadable version of Finale NotePad is great for basic composition projects. The software boasts its "Human Playback" feature which is designed to demonstrate expressive musical nuances, giving it a more realistic sound rather than being merely computer generated. NotePad has excellent sound quality and includes over 128 built-in instrument voices. 

A free download for basic music notation. You have the ability to make simple scores and compose exercises or any music really for several different instruments. A great introduction into the full Finale product and an easy tool for students to use on simple composition projects.  

The purpose of this TED talk is to explain creativity as it pertains to the human characteristics. McManus (2015) explained that we were created to create, our imagination should be explored, and we should celebrate this creativity. This video is inspiring for creative teaching and learner in music and other disciplines.

Henkjan Honing is a professor of Music Cognition at the University of Amsterdam. This blog presents articles on the human understanding of music. Some of the articles are in English while others are in German.

This Ted Talk, given by Alan Harvey, explains the many ways that music affects the human body and brain. Harvey explained the history and use of music within our lives. In this lecture, Alan Harvey explained the ways in which music triggers signals in our brain. He demonstrated the impact of music on the brain through images of the brain, showing the alpha waves notated by an EEG, and by giving examples of a video with peaceful music and then again with a faster and darker melody. He spoke about how music impacts our viewpoint upon images.

This is a clip with Bobby McFerrin, using the audience to sing. Bobby McFerrin improvises over the top as he creates the baseline for the audience to sing. He also mentions that the pentatonic scale is understood by all of his audiences no matter where he goes. This can be an interesting way to introduce a pentatonic scale to students, or improvising in a pentatonic scale. This is part of a larger TED talk entitled "Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus"

This TED Talk informs students about the natural connection humans have with music. Bobby McFerrin describes the nature of the pentatonic scale. This is a resource I like to introduce when first learning about the pentatonic scale. This shows students that music and nature are connected. I also use this for my students when I talk about the Fibonacci sequence with my math and music unit.

North Carolina Music Educators Association. MISSION:  To advance music education by promoting the understanding and making of music by all. VISION:  Leading North Carolina in music education, empowering generations to create, perform and respond to music. VALUES: INCLUSION and EQUITY - Building strength and promoting diversity in a profession representing a wide and changing spectrum of people and culture, abilities, economic backgrounds and gender identities while continuing to carry out the association's letter of intent. COMMUNITY - Collaborating with our members and partners to carry out our mission STEWARDSHIP - Empowering volunteerism and strategically developing leadership, fostering a spirit of accountability and a culture of giving of our time, talents, and resources COMPREHENSIVENESS - Uplifting the human spirit and providing opportunities for all students to create, perform, respond, and connect to all styles of music INNOVATION - Enhancing music teaching through combining effective and dynamic new practices with proven strategies in the context of a changing global community.

Article about the difference of school based music and music that students listen to out of the classroom. Music educators need to learn from this difference and use more contemporary music to interest more students.

This is a great article about the disconnect between music we teach in school and the music our students listen to. This discusses ways to help make music meaningful for all students.

This article discusses the "real" issue that classically trained music teachers face in trying to engage students in music; holding classical and/or jazz up as the "legitimate" forms of musical, or recognizing the value of the music that students listen to and enjoy in their daily lives.

This blog discuss ways teachers can help students understand material that they man not comprehend during a lesson. This is extremely helpful when your are not getting the necessary feedback from students.

An article that discusses finer points in the "Art" of teaching; when students don't grasp a concept. Is it always the teachers fault? Can the student be doing anything differently to help on their end? This article has possible solutions!

Robert H. Woody, co-author of Psychology for Musicians, posts in this blog articles and personal writings regarding music, music education, and music psychology.

This is a great article and video about a popular music class. Students at the University of Nebraska are given the opportunity to take a class that focuses on learning, performing and creating popular music and its benefits.

Kahn Academy provides free online instruction in a wide array of domains. Their music section contains information on basic music reading and terminology, examinations of orchestral works by Gerard Schwartz (former music director of the Seattle Symphony), and and introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. 

This was another great find from Dr. Bauer's resource list that provides an overview of Art History. This website is of interest to me for the natural connections of art and music to cultural heritage, and as an IB teacher, these connections are the basis for the media script internal assessment.

Sometimes all people need is a word of encouragement to keep doing well. As teachers, it is difficult to find ways to keep our students engaged and motivated. We can become so absorbed with getting our students to do well that we may forget to actually tell them when they do well. It may seem small, but simply acknowledging when a student does what is asked of them can keep them motivated to keep doing it.

Sometimes all people need is a word of encouragement to keep doing well. As teachers, it is difficult to find ways to keep our students engaged and motivated. We can become so absorbed with getting our students to do well that we may forget to actually tell them when they do well. It may seem small, but simply acknowledging when a student does what is asked of them can keep them motivated to keep doing it.

Interesting blog about the process of music making and the path to musicality

Exploring the processes of music making and the path to musicality.

This site gives students the ability to create satisfying compositions that explore texture using loops that are designed to fit in with each other. Perfectly suited for differentiation, students can create works that are simple or complex.

Music Improvisation Arranging Music

Incredibox is a web-based mixing tool, and its purpose is to create mixes with pre-set loops including, beats, effects, voices, and melodies. In each "dude", the user needs to select a "clothing piece" that contains a specific loops. The user begins creating their mixes, and can add and delete them as needed. Musically speaking, it is a teaching tool because the user learns how to mix loops ate certain points. It enhance several concepts such as rhtyhm and meter. It can be used by elementary and secondary-level students.

This an article that was found on the guardian arguing the importance of music education in today's society. The author compares learning music to learning coding. This a great read.