Home    Multimedia Gallery    Articles/Bio    Publications    CD    The Studio

The School Music News, December 2007

MIDI Technology is one of a series of teaching modules which are part of the Music Expressions series, this one geared to introducing sixth graders to MIDI technology.  It is designed to be used with a MIDI keyboard lab, and to be a stand-alone unit of study in conjunction with Cubase SE or other basic sequencer software.  However, isolated lessons might be extracted for use with other curricular activities.  Generic directions for connection and use of a MIDI lab setup are included in the teachers’ manual.

The three units each break into three lessons. The teachers’ edition starts each lesson with a Lesson Snapshot. indicating a specific music element, a performance skill, and rhythm/notation skill, and a sequencing skill to be taught, and showing  connection to National Standards, National Education Technology Standards, and TI:ME strategies. Scripted lessons are provided and terminology is defined.. The student workbook provides illustrations, definitions of musical terms, and numerous music selections for students to play. Concepts presented include electronic instruments, rhythm concepts, pitch notation related to a music keyboard, keyboard controls, traditional music terms and symbols, basic software synthesizer vocabulary and skills.  Assessment activities are embedded into the instruction process.

Many opportunities are provided for student keyboard performance at a variety of skill levels.  A high quality stereo CD provides stimulating recordings to accompany student performance. The recordings contain a wide range of traditional and contemporary sounds and incorporate interesting percussion.   Many of the selections have a slow version and a fast version of the recording to facilitate student skill development. Music used is composed by Muro, and written to be musically interesting while enhancing the logical progression of the concepts being taught.  The materials are geared to student success.  Also included is a simplified play-along version of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, as well as the traditional piano score of Bach Invention No. 8, so that students may follow the score while listening to or manipulating a MIDI file of the Invention.

This set is an effective way of incorporating music vocabulary, listening, playing and evaluating with a hands-on introduction to MIDI technology.

Music Technology MIDI  Keyboard by Don Muro.  Music Expressions series by Warner Brothers.  ©2004.  Distributed by Alfred Publishing Co.  Teacher Edition 147 pages plus charts and index, spiral.  (00-EMC6011CD) $39.95; Student Workbook 71 pages plus glossary and charts (00-EMC6011S) $8.00 http://www.alfred.com/expressions/grades_sixth.asp