Technology and the full rehearsal

[Razorback01]

I am constantly trying to incorporate new ways to use technology into my band rehearsal. Countdown timers before class starts, announcements looped on a powerpoint on the overhead projector so I don't have to actually announce them. Rhythm slides to try to help students view rhythms in groups rather than note to note for sightreading improvement, youtube performances into the lessons for exemplary models, tuner projected onto the 8'x12' when teaching how pitch matching works as well as what to do for tuning those dreaded 3rds, etc. My students also check themselves out of rehearsals to play smartmusic tests, challenges, and scale pass-offs.

What ways have you been able to incorporate technology into your lesson plans?

[Cavies9002]

We are currently using iPads in our classroom, it it helping us to record the students for immediate feedback on their sound, for playing tests. There are many applications available to download that can be used in the classroom. I have a tuner that is more accurate in tuning tubas in the very low register, a metronome , music flash cards, the list goes on and on I have found to be an incredible powerful tool.

[MWells]

If your tech cart has a doc cam, you can put the chromatic tuner under it so everyone can see it on the screen. I find this method to be helpful as it keeps individuals more occupied being able to see it even when they are not playing the tuning note themselves.

Since the tech cart in the band room is connected via cables to the wall (so it can connect to the projector and mounted speakers) and since we don't (yet) have Apple TV, I use the app "Air Display" iPad app to control the smartmusic station as I walk around the room with my iPad. This proves super useful when I'm working with the percussion class which is located clear on the back of the room. There is almost no lag either, and the learning curve for maneuvering around with the touch screen is almost instant.