Free Music Program Resources
Submitted by Rafael Vaca – www.wvbgc.org
One program tip I can quickly share is an ice breaker I do called “Pass the Aux” which allows members to share their favorite songs and we discuss the musical elements of each. This helps me get an understanding of what genres they are fans of and what they might be interested in learning. It’s my go to whenever we have a new camp or the semester is just beginning so that we can all get to know each other.
Submitted by Anne Joseph www.newcitykids.org/jerseycity
Anybody having a hard time getting your students to write songs? Well, for me, the Target Method really helps my kids with getting words onto paper and allowing creativity to flow. I used this method with my class, and we won the Little Kids Rock songwriting contest in our age group and category!
First you start off by drawing a 3 ring target. The most inner ring is where you write the topic of the song i.e. Food, The Beach, Love, Friendship, etc.
Then in the middle ring, you ask your students to call out words that first come to mind when you say the topic word (food) i.e. greasy, delicious, plenty, fruit, snacks, junk, tasty, fried, chips, baked.
After establishing those words, you then choose out of that middle selection one word (i.e. baked) to then expound upon in the last ring i.e. cake, dessert, apple pies, sweet, brownies, cookies, filling.
Now, you have a whole bank of words, that you came up with as a class. You task your students to write 2-4 lines using the words on the board. After some time, the students present their 2-4 lines with a melody they have come up with, or some students may rap their lines. As the teacher, you discern which melody is catchy, simple, and easily played. You also establish the notes that are being sung/played, the rhythm, beat, & the tempo.
A student’s example could be:
Thinking about food gets me hungry all the time
The grease, the taste of it is now on my mind
Chips, brownies, cakes, I would choose
Even though my mom says “Eat more fruit!”
Give it a try! And if there are other methods you use to get your kids to start writing, please let me know!
10-step process that gets your students learning quickly, efficiently, and making it fun! – Submitted by Anne Joseph www.newcitykids.org/jerseycity
Adding cool LED lights and floor lamps can really give off a creative vibe in your music program
Submitted by Dustin Cicero www.www.bgcma.org
A review of the Aston Halo Mic Reflection Filter – Submitted by Omar Miranda
For the past couple of months, we have been testing the Halo in the Music Clubhouse as a possible addition to the iPad stations. The idea was that we could have good quality recordings no matter where the station was set up and because is such a cool looking and intriguing accessory, members would be more interested in exploring new things and producing on the iPads.
After receiving the Halo we immediately set it up and guess what? There was a massive line of members jumping with excitement and looking forward to recording with “that spaceship” or “futuristic” awesome “thing”. This has been a great incentive for younger members to get excited about music production and to participate regularly on our beat making and sound recording workshops. We’ve also tested it in our recording studio and works amazing as well. I would recommend taking it to the studio if you don’t have good acoustics or if you don’t have a vocal booth. I also recommend it for podcasting.
About the Halo itself. This is a very well made filter, sturdy and solid. You can fit pretty much any mic but some might be harder to set up or won’t work well due to their shape (ex. sm 58)
Some other things to have in mind:
In general, this is an awesome addition to your program space and I can guarantee more participation from your members.
Apple offers FREE Advanced classes at local Apple stores including Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro and FREE Downloadable resources – Submitted by David Bickel www.musicandyouth.org
Hip-Hop builds characteristics of grit, social and emotional intelligence, and the act improvisation – proven to be predictors for academic success – Submitted by Corey Depina www.zumix.org
This impassioned talk explains how students who identify with Hip Hop culture have been ignored or deemed deficient in schools because of mainstream misconceptions associated with Hip Hop culture. Through Hip Hop, these students embody the characteristics of grit, social and emotional intelligence, and the act improvisation – all of which are proven to be predictors for academic success. So where is the break down between formalized education and the potential for success for these students? Dr. Love argues that ignoring students’ culture in the classroom is all but an oversight; it’s discrimination and injustice that plays out in our culture in very dangerous ways.
Youth-Run venue application helping participants understand how to plan live performances at a real-world venue – Submitted by Charlie Reischl www.Neutral-Zone.org
One of the music programs we run is a youth-run venue space called the B-Side. I thought I’d share with folks a tool I’ve developed to get young people to think through what they are presenting.
The B-Side Show application form (attached) is something every student would have to decide details about and share out to the committee of other students and ask for people to sign on to help on the show, if 6 people think its a good set of ideas and want to volunteer to help, the application is a go!
Turn apples, bananas, and muffins into drum triggers – Submitted by Javier Lozada www.ymcamalden.org
Looking for a new way to engage young participants?
Here at the Everett Studio Clubhouse, we use the Makey Makey as a way to introduce young participants into thinking about rhythm and grooves without being intimidated by the interface provided by the usual midi controller + DAW. In a sense, it provides a distraction from the pressure they may feel to “get it right” in the first try. We like to redefine lunch table beats and the use of Apple products by setting up the Makey Makey kit during their lunchtime and use the food items they are currently eating as pieces of a drum kit. The aesthetic of the kit is what usually draws young participants in to participate even if they have never shown interest in the music program. This also helps them develop 21st-century skills when they have to use logic and their knowledge in science to figure out what items could be conducive or how to wire the Makey Makes in a way that makes sense!
Items required:
The Makey Makey kit comes with proprietary software which lets you use it as a virtual instrument but here we like to use NI Battery or any other software samplers in order to be able to use custom samples which are more relatable and appropriate for the genres they are used to.
Warning: High Schoolers may love it too
Update: Using a Makey Makey kit + Logic’s musical typing I was able to pair it up with a sampler and use custom samples
Timothy Ballan – www.sbgc.org