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Often I encounter students who attempt to "cram" for a performance that requires memorization of their music. This article speaks to the element of memorization that I continually speak to: the importance of sleep in the process of memory. I couldn't get the diigo toolbar to work, so I couldn't highlight the relevant section, but what happens during sleep is called "memory consolidation" and this article discusses this phenomenon in easy to understand language.

This is an ear training game using a "matching card" format. It looks simple and almost boring, however, once a person starts playing the game it becomes very interesting, This is well suited for middle school as it does not appear to "babyish".

Note pair is an online music game designed to help children read music notes easily and quickly. This game helps children learn to read music notes step by step, at their own pace. A child listens to a note, and tries to match it to a similar note. This ear training computer game lets you learn music notes and their pitches. Students and pupils who play a musical instrument as a child have a better verbal memory than those with no music training. Aural listening skills enhance brain development and students who listen more to music are calm, critical thinkers, and confident. Introducing such a game as a lesson starter even for classes that are not learning music fosters concentration and interest of the learners. Their brain becomes alert and ready to take in any information.

Games for children in music

Pandora can be used for my students to listen to songs the orchestra is presently learning or planning to learn in the future. This always comes in as an asset because of our rote style teaching method and performing from memory. If the basic melody, bass line and chord progression is familiar; it makes the music easier to learn.

This site is stocked full of useful features for students in the form of games, quizzes, and a great flash keyboard with music to match. Using the number keys, students can practice even if they don't have a piano keyboard. There are also lessons and resources for teachers, too.

This website is suitable for teachers who give students free time to work on music games. Many different music topics are taught by the music teachers and a better way for students to retain the information would include turning some of their assignments into competition. One thing i have learned, elementary students love to be competitive, so if the students are able to get high scores on music games, then they are retaining and getting the information.

The creator of this site, Karen Garrett, has compiled different games and quizzes to make her music class more interactive. Students can access games about different instruments, note naming, rhythm, and even composers. There are also theory quizzes and worksheets that anyone can access.

Garritan is a virtual instrument provider often bundled with Finale Notation Software. The virtual instrument player is called Aria, and various sound collections are available for purchase. In my experience, the VST works well with Finale, however, does not work well by itself or with other DAWs. This may be due to the low memory and processing speed of my computer.

Pro Tools is a professional level digital audio workstation. It is used in many professional recording studios and music production facilities. Pro Tools is often praised for its near-limitless capabilities, but its high cost and memory and processing requirements may make it difficult to use for teachers or hobbyists with lesser computer systems. Avid offers different versions of the software that ranges from the free, limited capability Pro Tools "First" to the full-featured Pro Tools Ultimate, which is designed for professional recording and processing. The free version, Pro Tools First is an excellent way for new users to try out professional DAW software without making a large financial commitment.

The concert band began to come into its own during the Civil War era

This site has games made to help build aural solfege skills. This is great for music students to practice ear training and build scales.

PBS Kids' Chuck Vanderchuck is an amazing tool for teaching music genre and history. My students love it and ask for it year after year.

Chuck Vanderchuck is a fantastic resource for teaching students about different genres found in music (not just classical!). Kids love the different sounds that genre-based instruments make, fun catch phrases that Chuck repeats throughout the site, and different historical facts about how each genre originated. Students are invited to move to music, arrange their own combos with different instruments, and engage in memory games to help them learn the content provided.

This website allows students to experiment with different genres of music. It gives students a chance to have their own "jam session."