Student Website Review: CMUSE

My student M is back again with a website review of CMUSE’s History of Website page:

CMUSE: Brief History of Music Student Review

The name of the website is called Brief History of Music: An Introduction. The website is It is written by Dr. Justin Wildridge. He is a media composer and multi-instrumentalist based in the South-West of England where he works from his own studio.

The article includes some of how music started, the history of music, and a very descriptive introduction to all the important music time periods.

I liked how much information is included, and how it included a lot of information in a very short amount of words. It is a pretty great introduction to all the time periods and the basics of music history.

I didn't really like some of the words included in the article, because they are pretty complicated, and I needed to search them up.

I'd say that it is pretty easy to navigate in the article unless you only want to learn about a specific time period. It was organized in order from the older times periods to more modern time periods, so it makes sense. This one would be one of the pretty descriptive and informative types based on the websites I looked at, and it included everything other websites had and even more. I would rate it a solid 4.9 out of 5 because it did a great job of informing me, it's just that some of the language was confusing.

About CMUSE

CMUSE is a music and entertainment website which includes articles written by various industry contributors. The articles fall under the following categories:

• Classical

• Jazz

• Rock & Pop

• Music Tech

• Lists & Quizzes

• Inspirational

• Music Promotions

• Musician Interviews

• Feature articles

They cover a diverse range of music-related topics and makes for fun an educational exploration.

Please note that CMUSE is a participant of the Amazon Associates Program, meaning that they share affiliate links on their site.

Music Education Apps for Android - 2014 edition

Back in September, I shared some music education apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Now, it’s Android’s turn. These are some of the best music education apps for Android that I have found. I have tried all of these on my phone, tablet (or both). Music Note Flashcards, Sight-Reading and Music Theory Apps for Android

Music Note Flashcards is a simple, free app for music students who need to work on their note recognition. Unfortunately, you can’t specify the testing range and there is no way to keep track of your progress.

Music Note Quiz is also a free note-reading Android app. I like how you can select your testing range: treble clef, bass clef, or the grand staff. You can also choose to repeat cards.

Music Tutor Sight Read Lite (FREE): Now this is what I’m looking for in terms of a music lesson and practice tool! With the free version, students can test their sight-reading. There are three game modes: timed tests, study and learn. I tested out the timed mode. A note appears on the grand staff. Players must quickly press the correct key. You can specify how long the test will be as well as the naming conventions (standard notation versus solfège). There is a note-writing mode as well. It scores your accuracy.

The full version of Music Tutor Sight Read ($2.99) also quizzes key signatures. What I really like about this app is that is tests keyboard geography. For instance, is that note G4 or G5?

I cannot believe that My Piano Assistant is a free app. This is a great app, not just for music students, but teachers and all types of pianists. If you are having trouble with your chords or scales, just punch in what the chord is and the app shows and plays you the notes. So, next time you’re baffled by an F7 chord with a flat 13th, worry no more. If you keep mixing up jazz minor with melodic minor, check out exactly how they differ.

Piano Sight Read is another free note-reading app. It’s not as fancy as Music Tutor Sight Read. It has two modes of play: practice and examination. You can’t specify the test range. It probably displays better on a phone versus my tablet. My score went down because I wanted to play the correct pitch on the keyboard and couldn't with such a small keyboard (just short of an octave).

Simply Music is a neat app. You know the card game, “Memory”? Well, this is Memory: the music version! There are four levels of difficulty. You can select if you want to pair up note to note or note to letter name. You can also select which clef. All this for free!

Ear Training and Rhythm Drills Apps for Android

Perfect Ear was one of the first apps I downloaded onto my smartphone and tablet. Musicians can test how well they can identify scales, chords and intervals by sight. They can also see how well they can recognize scales, intervals, chords and cadences by ear. If you upgrade to Perfect Ear Pro ($0.99) you can get more options for for singing intervals and recognizing cadences.

Perfect Ear 2 was released earlier this month. The free version has 20 different tests, whereas the Pro version has approximately 100 tests. It’s quite a step up from Perfect Ear 1.0. In addition to the music tests above, there are also interval comparison, rhythm reading, rhythm dictation and pitch training. You can use the standard tests or create a custom test.

It also contains a scales dictionary and theory articles. Soon, it will have the Circle of Fifths.

The newest version has a beautiful design. It’s also a smaller app than Perfect Ear Free.

With Rhythm Sheep Free, learn music, players have to successfully tap back the rhythm they hear. There are 40 levels to try out. The full version ($1.27) has up to 230 levels.

Recording and Backing Track Apps for Android

iOS devices have the edge over Android as far as recording, mixing, sequencing and editing go. This is for several reasons. The main ones are: latency issues (playback delay), processor and connectivity issues (Android devices aren’t OTG compliant nor MIDI class ready at this point).

In a pinch, I use the Smart Voice Recorder. You can change the sample rate (recording quality). The thing is, the sound quality depends on how good the mic is. However, for recording and reviewing your practices, it will do the trick. You can share your files easily as well.

With iReal b Pro ($10.99), you get a mobile band. Download the chord charts for over 1,200 songs available in the forums. Or, enter in the chord progression for any song, choose your instruments, tempo and style and play away. Instead of using a metronome, why not try practicing with a virtual band?

Metronome Apps for Android

I have been searching for an Android equivalent to MetroTimer. It’s my favourite app on my iPod Touch. My students and I giggle over the cartoon voice counting out the beats.

The one metronome app for Android that is like it is Metronome Beats. I had it on my smartphone for the longest time. Like the free version of MetroTimer, you don’t have as many sound options, subdivisions or time signatures to choose from. For $2.95, you can upgrade to Metronome Beats Pro. This has all the time signatures and different sound options. If you’d rather listen to claves or a cowbell instead of the regular metronome sound, go for it!

Before I got my tablet, I was looking for apps that could multi-task and didn’t take up a lot of memory. I found this free Metronome and Tuner app, called Soundcorset. You can’t change the metronome sound, but you can change the number of beats per bar, the beat subdivision and use the tap tempo function.

There are countless other music education apps out there for both iOS and Android devices. One of the most comprehensive lists I have come across is by David Brian Williams, Ph.D. Click on the link to see his recommendations of Tablet and Smartphone Apps for Music Education: Android and iOS.

Rhona-Mae Arca Named Tech Teacher of the Year

It's official, I've been named Tech Teacher of the Year by Roland Canada, Conservatory Canada and Music for Young Children. Click here for the official press release.

Applicants had to submit a three-minute clip describing how digital technology is used in their music studio, as well as how digital technology impacts their students as well as themselves. Here is my submission:

This announcement comes on the heels of my latest music and technology project. Last week, my students and I prepared, recorded and submitted videos for Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4.0 - Bliss. A record number of over 8,200 videos from nearly 6,000 singers and 100 countries were submitted. Some of my students and I even helped out on  tech support during the final days prior to the submission deadline.

Thank you so much to the sponsors: Roland Canada, Conservatory Canada and Music for Young Children for this opportunity. Hats off to my fellow teachers who also made a submission as they are also leaders in working technology into music education.

See you all in Halifax!

Distance Learning Degrees in Music Education

Music teachers can further their education in the comfort of their studio. These six universities offer music educators distance learning opportunities.

Traditionally, music teachers who wished to explore longer professional development opportunities had take a sabbatical to study abroad. For some teachers, traveling abroad for extended periods in the name of career development is not a viable option.

A growing number of universities offer online degrees in music education. These six universities enable music teachers to further their education in the comfort of their own studio, with minimal disruption to their household and teaching schedules.

Master of Music in Music Education at the Boston University

Founded in 1839 as the Newbury Biblical Institute, Boston University now boasts an enrollment of over 32,000 students. BU is the first university in American history to confer university degrees in music.

Boston University’s School of Music offers an online Master of Music, Music Education. In this 17–20 month program, students explore a diverse curriculum, including analytical techniques, jazz and popular arranging and the philosophy and history of music education.

Master of Music in Music Education From Duquesne University

Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by the Order of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne is a private, coeducational Catholic college with an enrollment of over 10,000 students.

DU’s Mary Pappert School of Music offers a three and four-year Master of Music: Major in Music Education. The program incorporates online studies as well as courses that must be taken on campus. Students explore a variety of areas, including the foundations of music education, creativity in school music programs, Alexander Technique for musicians and music education research.

The school also offers a Master of Music in Music Technology program. Students will study Digital Music Pedagogy, Electronic Composition and Electronic Performance.

Master of Arts – Music Education Degree at the University of Hawaii-Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI was established in 1907 and now boasts an enrollment of over 20,000. The university offers a two-year Master of Arts Music Education Degree that can be taken locally or through distance learning.

Applicants should hold a Bachelor of Education (or comparable degree) and be teaching in a public or private school. Students will explore a wide range of topics, including major issues in music education, research in music education, using the Internet and the psychology of music.

Graduate Certificate in Music Technology at the University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle in Australia was founded in 1965 and has over 30,000 students. It has earned a solid reputation for its accomplishments in making higher education accessible to the disadvantaged, as well as research and teaching innovations. The University earned seven Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.

The University of Newcastle offers a Graduate Certificate in Music Technology. Students explore several applications of music technology, including MIDI and sequencing techniques, musical scoring techniques, digital media, sound engineering and computer assisted instruction.

Certificates of Piano Pedagogy and Piano Pedagogy Research at the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa in Canada is the largest bilingual university in North America. It was founded in 1848 and now has an enrollment of over 40,000 students.

UOttawa offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Piano Pedagogy and a Graduate Certificate in Piano Pedagogy Research. Like Duquesne University, UOttawa incorporates distance learning and on-campus learning components. Students explore a wide range of pedagogical topics, including an analysis of various piano method books, musician health and injuries and music education research.

MA Psychology for Musicians/MA Music Psychology in Education at the University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is among the top universities in the UK, according to "RAE 2008: results for UK universities" from The Guardian (December 18, 2008). It was founded in 1828 and now reports an enrollment of over 24,000 students. Five Nobel prizewinners lead its list of illustrious alumni.

The MA Psychology for Musicians/MA Music Psychology in Education was launched in 1997. Students study diverse aspects of music education and psychology, including the psychology of performance, music research and musical development. This part-time, online degree can be completed within two years.

Music teachers can develop their skills through online courses and distance learning degrees. Masters programs in music research, piano pedagogy, music technology and music psychology are just some of the areas that music educators can explore from the comfort of their own studio.

Originally published on Suite101.com on July 23, 2010. Winner of an Editor's Choice Award for Music Education on Suite101.com. Updated March 24, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Music Group Classes Musings

Although summer has just begun, my mind is already focusing on the upcoming teaching year. I've made a few changes to my studio, which are both exciting and scary. Some of the ideas are inspired by music teacher, author and savvy entrepreneur Kristin Yost.

1. Moving to a year-round curriculum: My colleagues in the US have taught year-round for many years and have found that it really works. I know I'm not the only Canadian music teacher to hear, "I didn't practice at all this summer," from a student. It takes them months before they get back to where they were the previous June. Truly, what a waste.Summer-flex lessons make it easier for families to work around their summer activities but still provide the students with that needed consistency at their instrument.

2. Teaming up with another studio to provide more: It pays to have another music teacher in the family. I shall be teaming up with my brother's studio, To the Wind, to offer our students a wider range in their music studies. He has sound engineering and multimedia design under his belt.

3. More group classes and more varied ones: Group classes have been extremely popular at my studio. Up to this year, they've had between three and four a year. However, starting next year, they will get six. These are just some of the ideas To the Wind Studio and Musespeak Studio have up their sleeves: Introduction to Conducting, Video Games Live - mini version, So You Want to Play and Sing at the Same Time, improvisation, piano combos, composing, Design and Produce Your Own Radio Show, essential grooves, etc.

4. Cafe Performance: Most of our students are studying piano for cultural enrichment and recreation. Many of them loath the traditional recital format. So, shy not make it more IRL (in real life) and head to a cafe? The students will prepare a set of music, script a little patter; and their family and friends cheer them on while enjoying a delicious latte and dessert. The cafe performance, combined with adding the Video Games Live and Radio show projects to the year-end recital promise to make for exciting performances.

5. More Optional Activities: Depending on how our students respond, we will be offering a variety of optional activities to our students, as well as opening these up to our colleagues' studios. Some examples: tour of the Cantos Keyboard Museum, tour of a piano refurbisher's workshop, How to Make a Multi-Track Project, Live Interactive or workshop with some of our colleagues from other places in the world, like David Story in Ontario, Bren Wrona Norris in California and Liam Walsh in the UK. My involvement with Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir has opened the door to unlimited partnership possibilities with my Virtual Choir friends and colleagues.

Some of these ideas are merely an expansion of things I've already been doing at the studio. However, this is taking things to a much higher level. That's what makes it so exciting. However, to make it work, a lot of planning is needed right now. On the plus side, this planning can take place outside where we can enjoy the sun.

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