Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity

We live in an age where it has never been easier or more fun for students to compose, improvise, arrange, and produce music and music-related projects than using today's technology. Written in a practical, accessible manner, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity offers both a pedagogical framework and a description of the technology tools best suited for drawing out students authentic musical creativity.

The first part of the book makes a compelling case for creativity-based music learning. Eight teacher-tested principals offer a plan for accessing, nurturing, and developing each student's potential for musical expression. Example after example illustrate each principal in a variety of music teaching and technology scenarios.

Part two focuses on curriculum and includes ideas for appropriately integrating technology-based creative music activities, locating lesson plans and other resources, and assessing student's creative work.

Detailed plans for dozens of attractive project ideas are provided in a series of chapters dedicated to technology category (i.e. keyboards, sound recording, multi-track music production, notation, instructional software and other music applications). Each lesson is linked to the MENC National Standards, and suggestions are included for making adaptations according to grade level and technology proficiency. Most of the activities described can be carried out by novice users with free or low-cost music applications.