Contest Give Away!

Are you a music learner? Are you an iPhone or iPod Touch user?  Well, here's a chance to add a FREE, cool app. to your menu from DLP and our friends at EasyEarTraining. Its perfect for honing your listening skills on the go and a great compliment to the DLP Kore Series.

The RelativePitch App includes:

Training Mode: 14 lessons guide you from beginner to expert, teaching you all the intervals in the octave.

Testing Mode:Check your progress by trying to get the highest score in testing mode. If you distinguish intervals correctly, you’ll unlock new levels and new challenges in training

Custom Mode: If you’re having trouble with one specific piece of training, set up a custom training and testing session to target your problem spots.

So what is relative pitch? Unlike "perfect pitch", relative pitch is common among musicians, especially those who are used to "playing by ear", and a precise relative pitch is a constant characteristic among good musicians. Unlike perfect pitch however, relative pitch can be improved with practice! Thanks to EasyEarTraining this app can help do the trick!


3 ways to win. Enter as often as you like between October 6th and November 1st!


1. Comment on this blog
or
2. Like us on facebook
or
3. Re-post this link on twitter


Good luck - we look forward to announcing the winner on Thursday, November 3rd!

Technology and the Music Educator

"I just invent. Then I wait until man comes around to needing what I've invented."

-R. Buckminster Fuller

Now more than ever before, music educators have the opportunity to expand the horizons of our profession.

The benefits of learning music have been widely publicized, and it seems new reports and statistics are released just about every week that prove studying music can help foster intellectual curiosity, stimulate creativity, and promote discipline. Most often, these studies are used as ammunition by organizations, teachers, and frustrated parent groups who are facing cuts to their local school band, choir, or orchestra programs.  And it's no surprise that advances in technology that allow for unprecedented communication, file sharing, and information delivery may be seen as an impending threat to those who teach music in schools or in a private setting. But we do not agree.

I recently read a blog that argued 'technology in music education can never replace the care and nurturing of a great educator'. That's like saying 'the microwave oven can never replace the delicate palette of an executive chef'.  It's an invalid argument and moot point at best. The microwave will not make anyone a great chef - but most all great chefs have one in their kitchen and know how to use it to their advantage. Technology is only as good as those plying it - it won't make a poor teacher any better.

But what technology can do is allow educators to reach new markets and encourage more learning at all levels - from the causal enthusiast to the most advanced performer. Educators can also use technology to create a sense of community among learners and allow for ideas to be shared between students, educators, and peers. Technology can also help make music teachers become better communicators and keep learning material, practice notes, and digital files neatly organized and accessible in one location.

The beauty of applying technology to music education is that we as educators have an opportunity to share our expertise with more potential music makers than ever before. And more people playing music and enjoying its benefits means a boost for instrument manufacturers, print music publishers, recording artists, concert halls and yes... teachers! We believe that more people (especially adults) becoming interested and involved in music making will undoubtedly lead to a more passionate concern for the importance of music in our schools.

Technology is here to stay. An entire generation now presumes and expects it to be part of nearly every aspect of their lives. As music educators, we need to be open to using technology to present our ideas in current and relative formats. Let's not be the last profession to 'come around'!

DLP Initiative - Saving Music, 1 Group at a Time!

We have enjoyed sharing the Kore Series with individual enthusiasts from all over the world. It's exciting to have an international community of music learners logging in and making their way through our lessons on any of 39 instruments. There are glockenspiel players in Norway, clarinetists in the UK, and saxophonists in Saudi Arabia accessing the Kore Series and discovering, learning, and playing music. It is truly humbling!   

This year we are rolling out a new initiative that allows single 'owners' to essentially 'license' the Kore Series of lessons to any number of users in their community for one low, monthly fee.  The benefits of this program are noteworthy and many.  Here are just a few:

1. Public and private schools can offer this unique curriculum to all of their students, staff, and families to enhance their current program or begin a new program.

2. Retail stores can add value and loyalty by providing access to the Kore Series curriculum to anyone who purchases an instrument.

3. Private music studios can make the Kore Series available to their teachers and students to help retention rates.

4. Churches can provide a music learning program for all families as well as members of their music ministry.

5. Home-schoolers can access a quality music learning program and connect to a global community of learners.

6. Instant access to a state-of-the-art learning program, sort of a 'high-tech method book' that comes complete with video how-to's, original songs, amazing play alongs and support.

So what does an owner get for this introductory rate of $20 per month? 

Unlimited access to all 39 instruments and 20 Lessons of the Kore Series along with the support of professional music educators available 24/7!

Personalized forums for your group to share successes and post questions.

Access to our secure global community of users via social networks that include: The Discover, Learn, Play blog, twitter and facebook pages, the MusickEd youtube channel and more.

Visit our site for more info and get instant access for your group!

Staff Spotlight - 8PM Tuesday Evening

I strolled down the halls at DSM/MusickEd last night to get a picture for a future blog and found Jenn Escue hard at work in the middle of a voice lesson.  Actually, it was hard to tell if she was teaching as I could hear both laughter and singing as I made my way down the hall. 

Jenn is a vocalist on staff at MusickEd/DSM and always has a great time with her students.  Besides teaching at DSM, Jenn also contributes to the MusickEd Support Center, writing tips and even designing 'solfege' charts for the vocal subscribers. As of late, she has been helping to create 'veils' for the thousands of web pages protected by the MusickEd copyright.

Jenn will be completing her Master's Degree in Jazz Pedagogy this August from the University of North Texas.  "It's been a long process but it's also a lot of fun. There are a bunch of talented people at the school and in the program."

And what are her goals after completing the degree?

"I plan on completing an album of jazz standards by the Spring of 2011" she says with reserved optimism.  

We'll keep you posted as to her progress.  And if you're near our campus, stop in anytime.  Just  follow the laughing and singing to Office 203.  Jenn will be happy to say hello.