Music Technology for Beginners

Also known as “Music Tech For The Terrified”!

About this Course

Beginners only! Discover easy ways to get started with technology in the music classroom. This gentle introduction will cover the things you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask.

We’ll look at simple ideas you can use straight away, how to incorporate technology without re-writing your curriculum and which software and hardware to choose when setting up a basic music technology “kit”.

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Course Format

This course is available when you join the Midnight Music Community.  Membership to the Midnight Music Community gives you access to this course, and 11 other online courses, plus lesson plans, help and advice.

Course Outline

Music Technology For Beginners will cover a range of skills, including the following:

We’ll start with an introduction to getting started with technology in your music classroom

  • simple tips to make using technology easier
  • what to do when things go wrong
  • places to get help
  • how to connect with other music educators using technology: share ideas and frustrations
  • some general rules for technology use

Then – on to the fun bit! We’ll look at a range of easy-to-use (and free) games and interactive websites you can start using straight away:

  • free games that make note reading fun
  • quick beginner compositions tasks using interactive tools
  • easy arranging and remixing projects
  • interesting ways to present listening activities
  • how to make activities meaningful and get beyond “novelty” status
  • Participant Q&A
During this session, we’ll discuss the things that might make up your basic music technology “kit”. This is your chance to ask all those burning questions about gear, software, iPads, interactive whiteboards, microphones and more. We’ll discuss options for all budget levels – from the one-computer classroom to the computer lab – and answer the following questions:

  • Which items should make up a basic music technology kit? What do I really need?
  • Which items are optional extras?
  • What about iPads and interactive whiteboards?
  • What do I need to do some basic recording of students?
  • How do I display my laptop or iPad using a data projector?
  • Which software programs should I use at primary, middle school and senior school?
  • What are some of the music technology projects I can do with my students?
  • Participant Q&A
Learn how to create digital versions of your music resources. Using programs like Powerpoint, Keynote or interactive whiteboard software, you can make resources that you can find easily and reuse for years to come.

  • Make your own simple music games to reinforce concepts
  • Create interactive music literacy activities
  • Discover places to find free images
  • Make reusable listening activities that illustrate form and include composer and historical information
  • Learn how you can have ready access to audio files and website links
  • Create bright, colourful units of work: Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, The 12-Bar Blues, Instruments of the Orchestra or anything else you currently teach
  • Participant Q&A
Getting started with notation:

  • Brief introduction to using notation software
  • Ideas for using notation software with students
  • How to set up a score from scratch
  • How to enter notes, copy music and share files

Getting started with audio editing:

  • Learn a few essential audio editing skills
  • Remove vocals from recordings
  • Change the tempo and pitch of a recording
  • Create fade-ins and fade-outs
  • Participant Q&A

*Midnight Music reserves the right to alter course content when necessary.

Testimonials - Music Tech for Beginners

What’s Included

  • 5+ hours of video
  • Extensive step-by-step session notes
  • Links to extra resources
  • Professional development certificate
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

Music teachers who are self-confessed technophobes! This course is ideal if you would like simple ideas for incorporating technology into your teaching, if you feel you have holes in your knowledge and you would like to explore new ways of presenting familiar units of work.

Is this course for beginners?

No prior experience is required whatsoever! This course is designed for complete beginners.

What do I need?

A PC or Mac computer, internet access and a copy of one of the following: Powerpoint, Keynote, Notebook (Smartboard software), Activinspire (Promethean software) or Easiteach.

How do I access the course materials?

Once payment has been made, you will receive a login name and password to the online course materials area. All course videos and session notes are accessed online, via your internet connection.

How long do I have access to the course?

Access to this course is ongoing for as long as you have an active membership subscription to the Midnight Music Community.