 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mamashep
Date: 2009-05-27 19:17
I've been having my private students play their scales, 3rd, and broken chords along with the Jamey Abersold "Majors and Minors" CD. I do this for the following reasons:
1) Students seem reluctant to pull out a metronome and make sure they are playing scales with a steady tempo. Playing with the CD at least gets them to play in tempo.
2) Students often don't hear themselves playing out of tune, especially when they are concerned about playing in the higher registers where they are uncomfortable with the fingerings. Having the CD going lets them hear where they are obviously out of tune.
3) They are LISTENING while they play. 'nuf said.
4) They will practice longer without getting bored.
HOWEVER.....Having them play along with these tracks can be cumbersome. They have to find the right track for the scale they are playing with, do their practicing, then find the next track for the next scale, etc. The tracks are not all the same tempo, nor do they go around the circle of 5ths.
Do any of you have suggestions of materials similar to the Abersold CDs that you use (specifically to practice scales and 3rds)? I would love to find something that has all major and minor keys, and has varied tempos in each key.
(If you are unaware, the Abersold CDs have a rhythm section playing without a soloist, so students are NOT just listening and playing what they hear. They are accompanied.)
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-05-27 21:38
and further to this type of query, I want to play along to the CDs that come with the learner books you buy. The problem is the pieces are always at the normal speed for that song and that is silly as one is trying to learn and are not up to this tempo.
I want one of the little gimmicks that allow you to reduce the tempo, but keep the pitch up where it should be.
Electronic supply house? Dick Smith?
Post Edited (2009-05-27 21:40)
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Author: oliver sudden
Date: 2009-05-27 21:54
Rusty, I would do that on my computer - there are programs like Audacity which are free and can do that kind of simple editing quite easily. If you're interested and need a detailed guide to the procedure I'd be glad to help.
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-05-29 20:04
Thanks Oliver. I looked at Audacity and yes it would do the job but while searching I came across another program called Notation Musician.
This is now free, or minimal cost, and provides a way to play along to millions of Midi songs at the speed you want.
I`m indebted to you for your help.
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2009-05-30 02:32
I might also suggest looking into "Band In A Box"-- this one program can enable you to do virtually anything from accompaniment to notation and is the most fun you can have with your instrument. I won't attempt to document the hundreds of possibilites- suggest you go to their website and check it out.
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-05-30 08:57
OK saxlite but is`nt "Band in a Box" with a fairly $$$$ cover tag? I think that was the case at least many years ago.
The only problem I have currently with "Notation" is I would like to be able to burn a playable CD from the song I have downloaded in MIDI and saved. I have no idea how. I guess there must be software to convert and do this.
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