Announcing Joytunes, a new application for recorder instruction

JoyTunes: A Music Teacher’s Best Friend

JoyTunes merges proven methodology with cutting-edge technology to take children’s musical education to a whole new level.

Tel Aviv, Israel – October 20, 2010 – Ever had trouble getting your students to practice? Then how about making it fun! JoyTunes is an interactive educational game that’s changing the way educators are introducing their students to the world of music. By bringing hi-tech innovation to musical education, JoyTunes teaches the skills of playing an instrument through the medium of a fun computer game. Click here to play the JoyTunes demo!

How does it work? JoyTunes’ patent-pending technology enables its users to control the game by p p laying a live musical instrument. The recorder is just the first in a series that will feature various i nstruments. It was chosen as the perfect introduction to music because it’s simple, easy-to-use and an ideal instrument on which to acquire music fundamentals.

Each game level is a musical exercise designed to develop crucial musical skills like tone production, tone stability, finger technique, basic ear training and more. Combined with an exciting original soundtrack, the game’s unique methodology has been shown to motivate children to practice and immensely shorten the learning process of playing an instrument. And in the classroom, teachers can use the game’s free, downloadable sheet music for their own lessons. Click here to see JoyTunes in action!

Whether used in the classroom or at home, JoyTunes’ virtual environment transforms children’s education into a different kind of learning experience – the kind where practice becomes playtime and musical skills are naturally acquired. Research shows that children learn best when their minds are active and engaged, which is why JoyTunes works so effectively: level of improvement is directly correlated with motivation to beat the game. The more children want to play a cool computer game, the more they’ll practice and improve their skills between lessons – not because they have to, but because they want to. JoyTunes has indeed taken music education and amped up a crucial element: fun! Click here to watch the official JoyTunes video on YouTube.

Developed by Experts

This patent-pending game was created by a talented team of recorder teachers, signal analysis experts, software developers, graphic designers, psychologists and world-renowned musicians. These creative experts from each field were brought together in order to unlock the sponge-like quality of a child’s brain in a fun and engaging way, while keeping in mind the needs of music educators in the classroom..

Top musicians and recorder artists like Prof. Karel Van Steenhoven (University of Karlsruhe, Germany; member of Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet), Prof. Michael Melzer (Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance; recorder artist) and Susanne Fröhlich (University of Arts, Berlin; recorder artist) are already enthusiastic supporters of this new innovation in music and recorder education.

Innovative Technology

When you play JoyTunes, its software analyzes your recorder’s sounds to manipulate objects in the game. The analyzing engine also identifies common mistakes to provide you with real-time performance feedback. It does all that without any special hardware or connections, and better yet, background noise, low-quality instruments and inexpensive soundcards and microphones are no match for JoyTunes – it will work just fine with a five-dollar microphone or recorder. JoyTunes’ novel technology, which overcomes poor conditions and provides comprehensive feedback by recognizing several features coming out of the instrument, is patent-pending. And despite the technical complexity of the game, JoyTunes is web-based and simple to play, with no special download or installation needed.

Product Awards

JoyTunes was recently announced the winner of this fall's prestigious Parents' Choice Award for Software. According to one Parents’ Choice review, “We were impressed by how much and how well the game encouraged our testers to practice, and by how much they learned... steady practice with the program's fundamentals may bring much-welcomed harmony to your family room.”

JoyTunes was also selected by MassChallenge as a top-26 finalist for the Most Innovative Startup of 2010. Having drawn 446 applicants from 26 countries, this is the largest startup competition in the world. It recognizes high-impact startups with big ideas that can change the world. If JoyTunes is declared a winner by the prestigious panel of judges, the company will receive a $50,000 to $100,000 award to help develop its novel approach to musical education.

How to Order & Technical Requirements

Two purchase options are available: a single-user license, wherein the game will be delivered by e-mail; and a gift pack, which includes a game CD, recorder and microphone. Gift packs are shipped within 14 working days, free of charge.

In order to play JoyTunes, you will need: a regular soprano recorder (found in any music store), a computer with a microphone and speakers (external or built-in), a Windows or Mac operating system, Internet connectivity, minimum 512 MB of RAM and a 64 MB video card (128 MB is preferred).

About JoyTunes

JoyTunes was established in 2009 with the goal of revolutionizing musical interaction through instrument-activated computer games. The methods of this unique approach to education are sure to catch on in other subjects, paving the way for a new set of educational tools for the children of tomorrow.

For more information, please visit joytunes.com and follow JoyTunes on Facebook and Twitter!

Because teaching music is our goal and we see you, the music educators of the blogosphere, as our partners in this pursuit, we are offering you and your readers a 20% discount on the wonderful experience of JoyTunes! To obtain a discount code, please phone or e-mail the media contact below.

As a registered teacher, not only will you receive a free evaluation copy of the software, but you’ll also receive inside information and free access to resources like sheet-music downloads for you and your students! And don’t worry, registration is free.

Media Contact:

	Avihu Sha'altiel
	Blonde 2.0 | Community & AccountManager
	Tel: +972-3-677-1133
	Facebook: facebook.com/avihush Twitter: @avihush
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Ping is the Thing!!

iTunes has just created a new social network for music lovers embedded into it's store called PING.

With PING, you can follow your favorite artists and friends and even find new music.

For more info, go to:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/ping

Larry Marra

If you already are using iTunes, just open the itunes app, and click "PING" in the menu on the left.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Wavepad free audio editor app.

Ever have an audio file that was in the wrong key for your band or choir to rehearse? Ever wish you could slow down the practice audio files without having it interfere with the sound quality?

Here is a totally free audio app called, Wavepad, that will do the task in just one click.

Wavepad is a feature rich sound editor for Windows and Macintosh platforms. You can record from audio inputs, like a microphone or a record player, import and edit sound files. It is good for making mixes, or digitizing vinyl.

The range of options in WavePad basic - there is a commercial "Masters" version - is impressive. You can add effects, fades, split tracks, merge tracks, and much more. Performing all of these tasks is easy, and easy to undo if you make a mistake. It's certainly user friendly, and the fact you can import more or less any sound file format makes it incredibly accessible for anyone (there's no need to mess around with file conversion).

As well as importing from your hard drive, you can also import directly from CD, and there's a tool to burn whatever you want. There is a tone generator, and even a text to speech generator, so you can express yourself with a robotic voice.

There are tabs at the bottom of the edit window for you to move easily between open files, a zoom tool so it's easy to highlight exactly the part you want when editing, and the highlighting itself is really intuitive, allowing you to apply effects with precision.

The one function I think WavePad is missing is a BPM analyzer - although this is sometimes unreliable in other programs, it's a nice feature to have.

For anyone that wants to mess around with their sound files - WavePad is a great and lightweight program to use.

Languages:

English

WavePad supports the following formats:

WAV, MP3, VOX, GSM, RM, AU, AIF, FLAC, OGG

You can obtain a free download at:

http://wavepad.en.softonic.com

Good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Pick a card

Here is a very inexpensive way to get new contacts for music gigs.

Have catchy business cards printed up with the band's name, a brief description of the music venues that your ensemble can perform, along with all contact info.

Pass them out to all the members of your group.

Your ability to spread the word about your group has just increased exponentially!

Office Depot, Staples, or Kinko's can print 1000 business cards for about $15. This is a small investment considering that you have enabled every member of your group to promote you ensemble to possible club owners, event locations, and even private affairs that you would have never known about.

You can even print them from your own home computer printer for the small cost of card stock paper!

I always put five business cards in every new contract I send out so the current employer will have access to your contact info and pass then to others looking for good music.

Another way is to make your ensemble a contact in your blackberry or other smart phone that you can text to people and add to their phone directory. This way they can search for a keyword such as band or choir in their phone to quickly find you.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

What are you sight reading?

I was directing the first rehearsal of a brand new swing band last night. I am the only professional musician, but all the players are quite accomplished on their instruments. The purpose of this ensemble isn't to make money, but to perform philanthropic concerts for hospitals and nursing homes. and to promote the love of swing band music.

Since we had never played any of the charts before, everyone in the band was sight reading. After a few minutes into the first number, I felt compelled to stop them and ask the band an important question.

What are you sight reading?

One brave soul raised his hand and said, "I am sight reading the notes, what else?"

I replied, "I'm glad you asked. I am sight reading the notes, dynamics, key and meter changes, repeats, and articulations."

The band got very quiet.

I continued, "What makes a difference between a good band and a great band is attention to detail. A band that plays the everything same tempo and dynamic level is a very boring band.

I understand that reading all the markings around the notes will take a little time and effort, but it will be well worth it.'

So the next time someone gives you a piece of music to read, read the entire page and not just the notes.

Your audience will thank you in the long run.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Top 40 podcasts for teachers

Hello,

I recently compiled a list of the Top 40 podcasts for teachers, and I
just wanted to let you know that musicteachers911 made the list!

It is published online at
http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-40-podcasts-for-teachers/

Thanks so much, and if you think your audience would find useful
information in the list or on the site, please feel free to share the
link. The blog is just starting up, so we always appreciate a linkback
as we're trying to increase readership.

Thanks again, and have a great day!

Maria

100 Free Resources for Teaching Yourself Guitar

“Novice to Slash: 100 Free Resources for Teaching Yourself Guitar”

http://www.onlinecolleges.org/novice-to-slash-100-free-resources-for-teaching-yourself-guitar/

Blinded by the light

While performing at an outdoor venue on a cloudless day with a swing band last evening, the band leader placed our stands directly facing the setting Sun. As soon as I sat down to arrange the first few numbers on the music rack, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to read the scores. A quick trip to the car for a baseball cap (embroidered with "musicteachers911") fixed the problem.

As soon as I returned, the entire rhythm section asked if I had extra caps as they were facing (pun intended) the same problematic situation. Another minute later and they were all outfitted with caps as well.

Since I drive a convertible, I usually keep a few caps in the car for the Summer. After last night, I decided to keep some caps in the car for the entire year.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

The "List"

I was playing piano in a swing band for our local library's 200th anniversary. The band leader passed out a set list with the order of songs and chart numbers. I quickly arranged my charts in the performance order. Since the piano parts are several pages longer than the horn parts, I felt very confident that the gig would go well since I wouldn't have to be rummaging around the piano library case to find the next song.

Just before the fifth song, the bass player asked what number was next. I told him," 703 "Route 66". Then, the drummer told us that the leader just signaled to skip it (as it was a vocal number and our vocalist wasn't here yet).

Since the piano sits in front of the band leader, I never noticed that the leader was holding up a different chart than the list had. The bass player and I scrambled for the new number and came in just in time.

lesson learned,

just because a band leader passes out a set list doesn't mean that he will follow it.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Get the point?

This Tuesdays Praise Team rehearsal hit a bit of a snag.

We decided, in the interest of time, not to set up the entire PA for our Tuesday rehearsals. The drummer uses a Roland V-drum electronic drum set and pulled out a small amp to broadcast his instrument's sound to the singers and the rest of the band.

We were learning, "Mighty to Save" by Laura Story. It is about an 80 BPM song and has a catchy little snare drum street beat rhythm instead of a full drum set beat pattern.

Well, after asking the drummer four times to turn down and blend with the band so I could hear the singers, I noticed that his amp was in front of him and facing us!

I rose form the piano bench, turned the amp around so the back was facing the band and the speakers were facing the drummer.

Problem solved. The drummer was now balancing with the band in a way that the band could hear each other and he could hear himself.

Sometimes, a balance problem is as simple as relocating where the instrument's sound is pointing.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com