Chromatik
Chromatik is a free website that
provides access to a large catalog of free sheet music. However, this website
goes beyond just providing sheet music. This website also allows you to track
your progress as you learn specific songs, record your own video or audio
sessions, notate the sheet music with your own specifics (if using on an iPad),
and provides added benefits such as a metronome. Another awesome benefit of
this website is that the sheet music is for a number of different instruments,
not just voice and keyboard. Sometimes it can be difficult finding sheet music
for popular music for different instruments.
Although I do not have personal experience
with this website, I could see how it would be a beneficial tool to have
available in the music classroom. For classes such as guitar, voice class, and keyboard,
it would be neat to use this website as part of a project for the students (I’m
thinking high school age), where they could find a song they like on the
website, learn it and record it, then play that recording for the class.
I’m also finding this website
personally helpful right now; I am singing in my sister-in-law’s wedding in
August and was having a hard time finding “Bless the Broken Road” for flute
accompaniment. However, I was able to find a decent one on Chromatik!
Smart Music
Smart Music is a music database that
encompasses a multitude of different aspects, from recording to notating to repertoire.
Unlike Chromatik, there are packages that have to be purchased before using
this site. However, the fees are not outlandish, and there are different
options for students and educators. I spent the majority of my time looking at
what was available for students, as this is what interested me most. Students
can buy a package for home ($40 per year) or a teacher can buy a practice room
package ($44 per year) that students can use at the school.
One of the aspects of Smart Music
that I think would be the most helpful for both students and teachers is the
assessment tool. Smart Music gives immediate feedback to the student, and can
also grade performance assessments. Students can also create a portfolio of
their work that can be reviewed by the teacher at any time to assess their
progress. Rubric can be created and implemented into the Smart Music programs,
as well as state standards.
The other aspect of Smart Music that
I was particularly interested in was the practice tools and exercises. There
are exercises for all different purposes: major and minor scales, rhythm,
intervals, even jazz and blues rhythms and “licks.” Practice tools include a built-in
tuner, digital recorder, metronome and on-screen keyboard. Students could use
these tools to practice for performance tests, private lessons, and as prep for
harder music.
I really think this site has a lot
to offer both students and teachers. If you are able to either afford it
yourself, or get this program included in your budget, it is certainly a good
bang for your buck.
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