Air Display (iPad) + SmartMusic

So geeked about this not-very-new discovery.  Using the iPad as a remote control for the SmartMusic computer which is connected to the projector (and speakers) allows me to wander the room w/out being tethered to the tech cart!  Using this strategy, it is possible to work my way around the room, checking slides/fingerings, posture, breathing, and everything else WHILE still controlling the smartmusic station!  The programs used are SmartMusic and the iPad app AirDisplay.

Air Display

 

To understand why this is so crucial to teaching, one must first undersand the layout of the classroom.  The cart is up front, close to the white board.  However, when teaching percussion, I have to teach from the back of the room (in the percussion section), with my back to the cart.  Having the AirDisplay on the iPad allows me the freedom to still have access to the cart w/out having to travel to the cart each time I want to access it (smartmusic).

Free Ticheli Music!

Although these are not complete pieces, in some cases the excerpts of music in .pdf format are quite lengthy - some excerpts are 3 pages long.  For example, there is plenty of Shenandoah music in here to serve as a chorale or warm-up piece.

http://www.manhattanbeachmusic.com/best_music_system2.html

There is a link at the bottom of the above link which will take you to the virtual scores section.  These virtual scores are not downloadable, but they are complete.  The best part is that they play the music as you flip through the pages.  Worth a look!

The ABC's of the Overtone Series

This is an interesting approach to understanding pitch tendencies in (mostly brass) instruments using the overtone series.

http://www.bandworld.org/html/OvertoneIntro.html

Enjoy!

Universal Website for Solving Everything.

Finally, a website to help with those issues when things seem impossible to fix!

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/

You are welcome.

iPad 2 vs. New iPad...to buy or not to buy?

Here is an informative side-by-side comparison of iPad2 and the new iPad HD.

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/new-ipad-vs-ipad-2-how-the-specs-compare-2012038/

My conclusion: not enough has changed to warrant an upgrade from my iPad 2.  So now I wait for iPhone 5, and the next iPad upgrade.....