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International Society for Improvised Music (ISIM) Conference 1

I’m currently in Michigan for the first ever International Society for Improvised Music conference. So far the conference has been excellent, bringing together people interested in improvising from a wide variety of perspectives. There are music educators present but there should definitely be many more in attendance. Once I get back home I’ll pull together the notes I have been taking and write about some of the main themes discussed. In the meantime take a look at the ISIM website… Read More »International Society for Improvised Music (ISIM) Conference 1

Remixing the Barenaked Ladies

The Barenaked Ladies, a popular indie band, have joined the world of musicians allowing their music to be re-mixed. Encouraging people to “Do it yourself” they include several tracks from their latest album in multitrack WAV files. There is a major difference between this particular remix project and many of the others that have been taking place on sites such as CCMixter. In order to download the multi-tracks you have to pay a fee of $2.49. In addition they specifically… Read More »Remixing the Barenaked Ladies

Is it a song?

Frank Oteri has had enough of people referring to all music as songs.  How many times have you heard your students referring to any music they are listening to, talking about or working on as a song, regardless of whether or not it has text or is being sung? How many times have you (gasp) referred to something as a song later thinking “oops?” How do you handle this situation in your classrooms? Is it even an issue? Should we… Read More »Is it a song?

Is that a robot in your band, orchestra or chorus?

Upset because you missed this weekend’s gathering of talented and artistic robots? Take a look at what you missed at the New York City artbots talent show. Participants included the league of electronic musical urban robots or LEMUR with their “Ill-Tempered Clangier” and moonmilk with their “Misericordiam”, a hovering accordian that is part of their fluxbox project. If you want to stay up to date with the musical robot world attend a local dorkbot meeting. You never know when one… Read More »Is that a robot in your band, orchestra or chorus?

An evolution of method books or a music teacher replacement?

A computer based practice system called In The Chair was recently featured at a large Web 2.0 conference. The software allows students to practice music from the system’s music library and play along with professionally recorded ensembles. Is this a possible evolution of the method book? With more and more students having access to computers in their homes and using them on a regular basis is it possible that systems such as this will catch on? The company says on… Read More »An evolution of method books or a music teacher replacement?