Technology & Music Education

Some Texts Moving Images...

2007-05-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Pi Music

2007-04-25T08:39:00.001-07:00

Pi music is very interesting music. As we know, Pi number is endless and never be the same ! For example, 3.1415926...
Some composers think Pi number is a good source of creating new scale because it constantly changes all number and it always creates new pitch and harmony !

I think music and mathematics are closely connected to each other. Many composers have used mathematics formula for their composition works since the numbers give us a great accuracy and create interesting musical structures in the composition. Of course, computer is also based on binary number theory so that we can control the system more properly.

Especially, I found a very nice Pi music, Pi String Quartet, composed by

Kenji Kojima

The music was created from the constant Pi to 3000 decimal places. For this music, Kenji said that "a number plus one is a step of chromatic scale is upped. If the number 3 is C, 4 is C#. The first number 3 of Pi is played by tempo 31 on this music and after that a whole rest is placed, then the next number of Pi that is 1 is played by tempo 32, and after each number increments the tempo by 1."
The seed of the music is:

3 .

1 4 1 5 9 2 6 5 3 5 8 9 7 9 3 2 3 8 4 6 2 6 4 3 3 8 3 2 7 9 5 0 2 8 8 4 1 9 7 1 6 9 3 9 9 3 7 5 1 0
5 8 2 0 9 7 4 9 4 4 5 9 2 3 0 7 8 1 6 4 0 6 2 8 6 2 0 8 9 9 8 6 2 8 0 3 4 8 2 5 3 4 2 1 1 7 0 6 7 9

8 2 1 4 8 0 8 6 5 1 3 2 8 2 3 0 6 6 4 7 0 9 3 8 4 4 6 0 9 5 5 0 5 8 2 2 3 1 7 2 5 3 5 9 4 0 8 1 2 8
4 8 1 1 1 7 4 5 0 2 8 4 1 0 2 7 0 1 9 3 8 5 2 1 1 0 5 5 5 9 6 4 4 6 2 2 9 4 8 9 5 4 9 3 0 3 8 1 9 6

4 4 2 8 8 1 0 9 7 5 6 6 5 9 3 3 4 4 6 1 2 8 4 7 5 6 4 8 2 3 3 7 8 6 7 8 3 1 6 5 2 7 1 2 0 1 9 0 9 1
4 5 6 4 8 5 6 6 9 2 3 4 6 0 3 4 8 6 1 0 4 5 4 3 2 6 6 4 8 2 1 3 3 9 3 6 0 7 2 6 0 2 4 9 1 4 1 2 7 3

7 2 4 5 8 7 0 0 6 6 0 6 3 1 5 5 8 8 1 7 4 8 8 1 5 2 0 9 2 0 9 6 2 8 2 9 2 5 4 0 9 1 7 1 5 3 6 4 3 6
7 8 9 2 5 9 0 3 6 0 0 1 1 3 3 0 5 3 0 5 4 8 8 2 0 4 6 6 5 2 1 3 8 4 1 4 6 9 5 1 9 4 1 5 1 1 6 0 9 4

.........

My Space vs Cyworld

2007-04-25T00:06:00.000-07:00

Do you know what Cyworld is ? Cyworld is a web community site operated by SK Communication, which is one of the famous telecommunication companies in Korea. It is very similar to
My Space or FaceBook in that it has a personal and virtual cyber space for their users.

Members are able to cultivate various kinds of online relationship through a service called "minihompy". The users can have a buddy relationship with each other through a photo gallery, message board,guestbook,and personal bulletin board. The interesting thing is that the users can link their minihompy to another users'minihompy links to make a online or offline relationship. According to recent report, about 25% of the total population of South Korean registered users of Cyworld and its daily users are about 20 million. Today, Cyworld is operated in the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam.

Problematic Curriculums of Conservatory; Part2. Examples of the Curricula

2007-04-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Music conservatories’ curricula contain both significant and future problems in terms of solely focusing on traditional classical music and its performance study. The following curricula are from two conservatories:

1. Bachelor of Music/Diploma (Piano Degree)

Applied Piano 8(semester) 28(credit)
Music Theory Core 4 16
Theory Electives 2 4
Ear-Training Skills 2 4
Dictation 2 2
Sight-Singing 2 2
Piano Sight-Reading 2 2
Keyboard Skills 4 6
Music History Core 4 8
Music History Electives 2 6
Humanities Core 8 24
Humanities Electives 4 12
Electives 2 4
Conducting 2 4
Piano Literature 2 4
Piano Pedagogy 2 4
Chamber Music 4 4
Concert Attendance 6 0
Concerto Requirement 1 0
Graduation Recital 1 0
Jury 3 0

TOTAL: 122

2. A Dual Degree Program (Master of Music & Master of Arts)

• M.M. from Conservatory A
• M.A. in Music Education with New York State K–12 Music Teacher Certification from X University

“Students spend the first two years at A conservatory completing requirements for the Master of Music degree… Students must complete 13 to 15 credits of required coursework at A Conservatory, as well as at least 35 hours of supervised educational outreach fieldwork. Students take 3 to 6 credits at X University the summer following graduation from A Conservatory, 10 to 12 additional credits that fall, and two sections of student teaching the following spring, along with any remaining courses required at X University."

Consevatory A (13–15 Credits)

Electronic Music for Graduate Students 2
Electronic Music I
Performing with Electronics
Graduate Level Performance 4
Supervised educational outreach fieldwork in schools (35 hours) 0–2
Graduate Electives 7
Five credits must be chosen from among the following:
Advanced Orchestral Conducting 2
Advanced Choral Conducting 2
Guitar Pedagogy 1
Jazz Musician as Educator 2
Graduate Jazz Conducting/Rehearsal Techniques 2
Jazz Music Pedagogy 2
Musician as Educator 1
Sight-Reading Pedagogy 2
Arts & Education Training 2
Videoconferencing for Performers & Educators 2
Cello Pedagogy 2
Advanced Teaching Techniques 2
Ear Training and Sight-Singing Pedagogy 2

X University (32 points)

Foundations of Music Education 3
Young Children’s Musical Development 3
Designing Musical Experiences for Young Children 3
Creativity and Problem Solving in Music Education 3
Music Skills and the Creative Strategy 3
Comprehensive Musicianship 3
Student Teaching — Elementary 3
Student Teaching — Secondary 3
Special Education course in consultation with advisor 2
Child Abuse/Alcohol & Drug Abuse Detection 0
Elective course in music pedagogy 2
Two additional courses in subjects other than music (selected in consultation with advisor) 4

- General Course Description-

1. Undergraduate Program

Chamber Music
Compositional Studies
Conducting (Non Majors)
Departmental Requirements
Ear Training
Interdepartmental Electives*
Jazz Studies
Keyboard Skills
Music History
Music Literature
Music Theory (Literature & Materials)
Orchestras & Large Ensembles
Repertory Classes & Ensembles
Vocal Arts

2. Graduate Program

Chamber Music
Core Seminars in Music History
Core Seminars in Music Theory
Departmental Requirements
Doctoral Requirements
Electives
Jazz Studies
Orchestras & Large Ensembles
Practicums (General)
Practicums (Departmental)
Prerequisite Courses
Repertory Classes & Ensembles
Special Seminars
Vocal Arts

As we can see, from these two examples of conservatory curricula, there are very few non-music major classes; almost 95% of the classes are related to music or music theory. While Conservatory A is currently trying to formulate a solution to this situation through its dual degree program, however, according to students, the program is not useful. The program is too tough for most students to complete both programs at the same time, because the students are very busy with their performance practice, concerts, and competitions. On the other hand, Conservatory B has some interdepartmental elective courses, such as Alexander Technique, Career Development seminar, and the Business of Music, but these are still not sufficient for the students to adequately prepare for their job searches or to develop their future careers.

Problematic Curriculums of Conservatory; Part1. Student Interview

2007-04-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Do you think we should learn technology for our future career ? Why do you need technology experience for your music education ? I am very interested in these questions because I think some music conservatories have problematic curricula for their students.

Many students who graduate from music conservatories cannot find jobs and so they don’t know what to do. The most serious problem is that some conservatories accept over 100 students each year; however, many students from the institutions cannot find a job in the music industry. Conservatories should take the responsibility for their students who do not want to be professional musicians and should improve their curricula to assist their students to develop their future career.
To examine the situation, I interviewed two graduate students from major conservatories in New York City. I called them, such as “Student A” and “Student B” and the interview questions are directly related to both music education in the conservatories and current job openings. The following statements describe the students’ current conditions and their interview responses:

Condition: Degree: B.A & M.M degree in Harp performance.
Just graduated from one of two well-known conservatories in New York City. Currently, she is taking a certification program and applying for the orchestra to get a Harpist position. Also, she is trying to get a freelance or part-time job as a private teacher or soloist for a church, ensemble, musical organization, or other small music positions. However, everything is not easy and there are few options. Specifically, the application for the orchestra job is highly competitive.

Condition: Degree: Completing Master degree in Piano
Currently, she is doing her internship in an elementary school. She is teaching basic music skills and musicianship to elementary school students. However, she does not like her job. She wants to establish her own studio and to be a private piano teacher. She is wondering how to make creative educational methods for her students, and promote herself as an exceptional private piano teacher in New York City.

Interview Questions:

1. What kind of classes did you take in your school?
“I played a lot. Most classes that I studied were classical music. Not contemporary music. The good thing is that most students have preparing music and performance experience in the conservatory. The experience was a really big advantage because almost 90% of the requirements for orchestra or other auditions are already played in class.”

2. How many non-music classes are available?
“We have two humanities classes. Students can choose a philosophy or aesthetics class. The classes include literature and philosophy. We learned Plato, Buddhism, Machiavelli, and different views of arts such as paining, and sculpture. But we don’t have any science classes”

3. Do you think humanities classes were helpful for you and other students?
“I think any knowledge is good, and helpful for a musician’s experience. But students have other optional classes: history, language, creative writing, and Jazz”

4. If there is no science class, then do you think the conservatory’s students need to take it?
“I think we need science classes as a part of our philosophy class.”

5. Do you think their career development classes are helpful and informative? Would the students actually prepare for their job applications?
“I don’t think it is really helpful. Because it is just one class and the course may be substituted for the senior-year Departmental Seminar. It’s kind of a curriculum for the sake of formality”

6. Do you think a dual degree program is opened to everyone and is it effective?
“I don’t think it is easy to take the program, because students who want to take the program should be admitted from both schools. Even students are too busy to take the program. There are few people in the program.”

7. What is the problem in the dual degree program?
“It’s too much work and too tough!”

8. What kind of other options do you or students have in the future career?
“We can be an orchestra manager or an orchestra librarian. The orchestra manager manages the company and the librarian is in charge of ordering and managing orchestra scores. Together, they decide which parts of the score they need and where to buy or rent it. We can be a teacher, administrator or director in theater”

9. What is the real problem in your situation?
“It’s really competitive. There are more than 2000 applicants for one orchestra position. It is not just in the US. Canada has same situation.”

10. What kind of problems did you have in your school?
“I wanted to learn recording skills for my performance and how to release my music, CD, managing the music business etc. Our music business class is an optional class and it is not enough preparation for career.”

Throughout the interviews, I found the reality was more severe than what I thought before the interview, especially in Student A’s difficult situation, where orchestra companies are looking for just one Harpist. However, this situation is also very common for many other solo instrument performers who graduated from conservatories. As for Student A, she was satisfied with the performance curriculum in the conservatories. However, she wishes she could have had more classes, which encouraged extra curricular activities and focused on improving her professional career after graduation. She thinks the curriculum was too limited to music itself and learning performance skill. In relation to her professional development, there were only two classes. Currently, she is looking for a job; however, she was not able to find anything due to extremely competitive auditions for Harpist positions.

Student B’s situation is a little different from Student A’s. Student B is not satisfied with what she is teaching now and wants to set up a new music business for keyboard music education. The biggest problem is that she doesn’t know how to develop her career and manage her business plan in various situations. In fact, she wanted to learn how to find a new job in the music industry and prepare for her future career before graduation. However, she did not have the chance to learn such practical knowledge of professional development at conservatory.
I think both students could have found a new and creative job if they had gotten the proper knowledge from the conservatories’ curriculum.

Improvisation using media and technology

2007-04-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today, I brought some issues about Improvisation in relation to media and technology. Maybe, we can ask these questions to ourself and think about why Internet2 event is meaningful to us:

1. What is the main purpose of improvisation performance?

2. How do we know if an improvisation is excellent or not?

3. How can we make a successful collaborative improvisation piece with media and technology ?

4. What does mean Internet2 improvisation performance to you ?

Free Improvisation, By NYU Music Ensemble

2007-04-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a free improvisation performed by NYU Music Ensemble.
The music was very experimental and give us a full of exotic feeling... I think the process of improvisation is an effective music education method; we can internalize not only what other performers feel, but also how they communicate each other
when improvising their own melody.

Click Here: Free Improvisation, By NYU Composers Ensemble

Flash Animation

2007-03-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

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Bottled Music

2007-03-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

This is very exciting and interesting music !

Speed Painting

2007-03-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here is some media communications are going on... Now, many people reply their feeling and reaction to their favorite video or music in various ways...

How to choose your media information...

2007-03-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

In these days, we can get so much information from the Internet or other media such as TV,Radio, newspaper, magazine, etc.
It is almost a plethora of information and sometimes we don't know not only if the information is correct, but also if it is entirely valuable for your personal usage. For example, according to a recent article in The New Yorker, a most illustrious fake professor Ryan Jordan resigned his post at Wikipedia. 24 years old Jordan has introduced himself as an old, erudite professor of Theology with two PhD, impressive credentials, winning him fame in a New Yorker feature !

Now, we are facing on the ex-information environment which has huge and numerous media sources including non- filtered and disqualified information. Do you think we need a filtering system for the information that you are looking for ?
I do think we should be careful when choosing some information or feeding your web page with RSS, since the information or website that you chose could be wrong or disqualified for the educational purpose of your research.

Hi, all ! I changed my blogsopt!!

2007-02-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hi, all !
Leave your messages or comments here... Thanks!