Bazan (n.d.) outlined several advantages to using notation programs in school settings. Music notation software overcomes two major disadvantages of writing notation by hand by being less time-consuming and giving students immediate feedback (Bazan, n.d.). Music notation software is also versital and teachers can use it for many classroom tasks (Bazan, n.d.). Some considerations when selecting software include ensuring that the software is cross-platform enough to be suited for one's particular teaching environment and that it is affordable.
Finale and Sibelius are currently the two most popular music notation applications available (Bazan, n.d.). They are cross-platform applications that are available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Both applications offer site licensing, enabling their use in computer labs. In addition, both applications also offer good customer tech support.
An advantage of using these commercial applications is that they are industry standards. The skills students learn using these applications can be applied to college and even professional environments. The versatility of these programs makes them a powerful classroom tool, but it also creates a high learning curve (Bazan, n.d.). Another drawback to these applications is cost. Finale and Sibelius can be expensive to purchase (Bazan, n.d.). However, both companies offer educator, student, and institutional pricing; which can bring down the cost of the software. In addition, both offer lower cost versions that are less comprehensive but are easier to use as well.
Another notation software option that is more budget friendly using open source solutions. These are often free and supported by a community of developers and users (Bazan, n.d.). Some commercial software begins as open source and then becomes commercial as it develops. Musecore is a free downloadable open source music notation application, and Noteflight is a free web-based notation program that does not require a download. Both are cross platform and good alternatives to commercial notation software in school settings (Bazan, n.d.).
A major advantage of open source programs is the cost. Open source programs are usually free which makes them budget friendly for school music programs. Web-based programs like Noteflight can be used by students on any internet connected device including smart phones and tablets. Another advantage of open source software is that they have a lower learning curve than the commercial applications. Teachers can spend more time teaching lesson content and less time teaching technology; however, ease of use also means less versatility, but open source software is improving. The biggest disadvantage to using open source software is the lack of tech support. Often open source projects do not have enough people working to offer comprehensive tech support. However, open source software usually has a community of developers and users that create a forum where one can find answers to many questions.
After selecting and installing the notation software, there are several options for inputing notation. A mouse or a trackpad can be used to input notation with any program. A trackpad can be a good option, but using a mouse to navigate a screen and input notation is like trying to draw a picture with a bar of soap. Whenever I have to inavigate screens or enter quick notation I use an art drawing pad. It takes a little practice to get used to it but I think its better than a mouse for most tasks.
MIDI-enabled devices are the generally the best way to input information into notation software. MIDI is a communication protocol between enabled devices that converts binary code signals into audible sound (Bauder, 2014). A MIDI system consists of controller devices that produce MIDI data and sound modules that translate this data into audible sound. Keyboard style controllers are the most common but there are also controllers in the shape of wind and string instruments as well as pitch-to MIDI converters that enable acoustic instruments or voice to be used as controllers (Bauer, 2014). Sequencing and notation programs are used to capture and edit the data produced by MIDI devices. Despite the complexity of MIDI systems, industry has made an effort to ensure the compatibility of different brands of devices (Bauer, 2014).
References
Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Bazan, D. (n.d.) Technology assisted music teaching & professional development [Powerpoint slides] Retrieved from https://learn.kent.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-5641931-dt-content-rid-52156352_1/courses/14924.201660/Week%201/Lecture/index.html
Hi Raul!
ReplyDeleteI like your explanation of a trackpad. I have never heard of one before, so I am very glad you included a picture as well! I'm assuming you "draw" on it with that pen? I'm curious, what do the other buttons do as well? Do you use the trackpad with literally everything you do instead of using just a regular mouse? Thanks for the input!! :-)
Meagan
The item pictured is a drawing pad, sometimes called a drawing tablet or a Wacom tablet (brand name). It's intended use is for freehand sketching in drawing and painting programs. It takes some getting used to but I prefer it over a mouse for most tasks.
DeleteThe buttons on the pad can be used to navigate between webpages and you can set some of them as one-touch shortcuts for functions you use frequently. The pen has buttons as well which are programmable so you can adjust their functions the way they feel most natural to you. For example, I use the "eraser" side to quickly highlight text in a word processing document.
I set up my tablet so it mirrors the screen and I can jump to the part of the screen I want without dragging the cursor across the screen (very useful with notation programs). However, now that laptops and some computers come with a trackpad instead of a mouse, I tend use the trackpad and reserve the drawing pad for more intricate tasks like music notation and drill writing.
Raul,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you detailed the open source options in your post - I had not previously known about them and in part wish that I had not upgraded my Finale this past year. I found MuseScore to be very similar to Finale so the learning curve was very small. I also like your suggestion of the trackpad - I can see how that would be very useful in composition.
I wish that I had more access to technology in my school because I agree with Prof. Bazan's statement that it allows for immediate feedback. Students can hear the project and realize mistakes and make adjustments without the teacher having to point them out.
Thanks for your post!