tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87413723385797117862024-03-21T16:57:43.564-07:00Digital BeginningsDigital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-69977089897910882692010-05-05T09:56:00.000-07:002010-05-11T06:19:52.039-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;">hi all<br /><br />we have finally come to the end of our project culminating in our presentation to staff pupils and parents as part of the school's arts week. having just re-read tom's post below I can happily state the we exceeded out expectations by being able to include performances of 'jackaroos' involving all of the participants and 'john's diet' featuring John Roper and Connor Wilson. Sadly we didn't video the performance! however as part of the show we did, as planned, produce a brief profile of each of the pupils work during the project. This ensured that, if there were any glitches on the day, the audience would be left with a good impression of the pupils progress throughout the project. I have to admit that in some cases these were completed late at night by me and I am currently no whizz at video editing. I have improved slightly in recent days, so next time..<br /><br />anyway here are the slightly ramshackle profiles and I will put up the video of the trip </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to DW stadium</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> back in November shortly when the sound track is sorted.<br /><br />The sound is slightly random in places (apols) but you get the picture as to what we got up to with each pupil.<br /><br />On the day, they all did brilliantly and it went smoothly through the program:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hello everyone</span> and then each pupil individually - great singing from both connors<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">jackaroos</span> - martin on vox, sean and robbie on keys, John Roper and Connor wilson on switches , sophie on flute via midicreator sensor, connor young on sound beam<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">space launch</span> - featuring connor W on countdown switch, sophie on launcher (soundbeam). JR on rumble drums, sean and robbie on spacey sounds (keys)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">space oddity</span> - martin on lead vox with an amazing bowie impression, sean on keys, connor young on space dust (SB) sophie on flute and bass (MC sensors)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Talk and videos - </span>featuring me talking too much<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">John's Diet - </span>Fish and chips, sausage and chips, 12345 bananas, I like spaghetti I don't like cabbage.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frerer Jaques</span> - featuring robbie on keys and vox!<br />..............until we got to the grand finale <span style="font-weight: bold;">womanizer</span> which was to be with both martin and sean and vocals accompanied by the video.. unfortunately owing to a technical fault - a dodgy lead- the mic didn't work which was disasterous... lesson learn't.<br /><br />anyway, have a look and MAKE A COMMENT!<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-cWPDrvDU79XGwuPMGDd8AqPVxJy3zi2AR-aYh2QWWQNdU46wuID62AvBZkcc9GHRc4Cm61lWYDGt2A7QQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />later<br /><br />merlyn (drake northwest)<br /></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEQ85vQCCkxYcmVY3J-hgJpQolwZ7l7nEtWWp2zi8cP1_YLmJSoscM497pbSTrKQ2EqTNsFM_SthsofmEwrw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxW2dck3jbzMS2U227RloHEVO9FFjPyWaJuT47LYkQDi_m8yKrCZqKLpZF9UYaY9rHi4ve0FDLTZPsffnI8mg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_MSdjo7dw-ZbuIaifOWErCR3VfuJr0C4iFQ_D8WmM2uVaFV0ShapYQLcxK_kJ7UkHWLyhraqcZlXJ7vg_lA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-50325971231125213562010-03-24T18:03:00.000-07:002010-03-30T03:10:12.570-07:00work in progressjust chucking this up so tom can have a look really but after finding my way round an editing package i have the fruits of a top session with sean and martin at landgate school last week. The aim is to create a brief musical montage for each of the students involved in the project and one tune featuring all of the pupils - in a shameless ripoff of the talented kutiman (check <a href="http://www.thru-you.com/">thru-you.com</a> if you haven't). I got bit carried away. apologies for the quality.. will do a better version shortly. As you can see both sean and martin are talented guys and hopefully sean will be starting piano lessons following his involvement with the project. result.<div>see you soon with more..</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWWfYgpZLlf3XAfTadwkZKAMHjrCu_uQZ2f2NXJ8DmpONv7ZrUsNw3jZmrTvQ2yS6g4Vr5CLdRdK3uLBbe5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-49038240421471022052010-03-01T06:20:00.000-08:002010-03-01T06:32:14.569-08:00Out with a bang!Hello from Drake South West!<br />'All Things Must Pass' was the title of a solo album by George Harrison. He was right of course, and in light of that, Digital Beginnings at Penrose School concluded just before February half term. Since I last wrote, we completed the last few music sessions and went out with an appropriate bang - a performance in the hall on the last day of term, to which we invited the rest of the school as well as parents and carers of our musicians. It was a good turnout, and I can safely say that a good time was had by all. Many of our musicians really shone in the limelight - 2 students didn't quite feel like being on stage and one wasn't well, but out of 19 that wasn't bad!<div>In the final week, we also recorded a version of each of our four tracks: 'Sea Shanty', 'Ghostly Song', 'Farm & Country' and 'Number 7'. Each student took a CD home, and we also left copies with school staff. Overall, the outcomes from this project have been really pleasing. Liz Tebbutt (deputy and Music Coordinator at Penrose) has asked if we can come back and do some more sessions at a later date. If you would like a taste of what we got up to, have a look at the video of our performance, which was kindly filmed by Chris Tebbutt.<br />Thanks, Alex. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuFdloZyg-7IA50gGISshsuQVp2MVkn_gkncY_cVHpgj69K0mJWKfGlyPn4zRlA98Rm7LVD8hZ3dD042E4' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-83260484907203869162010-02-09T06:31:00.000-08:002010-03-09T01:39:58.811-08:00Hope Arts Week<div>We've been working with five pupils from Hope School and two from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Landgate</span> (both in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wigan</span>) since September last year. The sessions have been massively varied, as there is a wide range of needs and talent in our group. Aided by sensory pads, Midi-Creator sound beams and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ableton</span> Live we have been able to identify each group member's musical capabilities. Sophie has responded enthusiastically to using sensory pads programmed through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ableton</span> Live and is particularly fond of contributing flute and bass sounds to a musical accompaniment. John has shown an aptitude for rhythm and has been working on several drum patterns with Merlyn using word assoiciation exercises. Connor Wilson has also shown a good understanding of rhythm as well as a willingness to add vocals to our introductory theme, 'The Hello Song'. Connor Young has been working with sensory pads and sound beams, he has contributed to jam sessions and used our sound beam launch pad with great enjoyment. Robert's excellent pitch has been a real encouragement to Merlyn, Nathalie and I. Robert has been working on finding melodies on the keyboard, successfully playing 'Frere Jaque' and 'Teddy Bear's Picnic' with ease. Sean and Martin from Landgate school have been excellent throughout the course of the project. Martin has an obvious talent for singing but Sean has shown excellent talents on keyboard aswell as singing. Both Sean and Martin can effortlessly sing a song from start to finish in one take.
<br />Collectively, last term we worked on a visual/audio piece based around a space launch and the David Bowie song 'Space Oddity'. Each student has a role to play in the journey of a space shuttle taking off, some musical and some visual - for example Sophie uses a sound beam with her wheelchair to provide the sound of shuttle taking off, Martin sings 'Space Oddity' and John Roper changes the lights to give the effect of the changing atmospheres.
<br />We've planned a week by week schedule to ensure each student is able to achieve their maximum potential. We are now working towards a performance at Hope Arts Week in May. Each student will make a profile showcasing their talents to be shown to members of the school, teachers and parents. We are also hoping to include some live performances and maybe the collective 'Space Oddity' piece.
<br />
<br />TomDigital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-19139853661554009022010-01-22T05:39:00.000-08:002010-01-22T05:53:06.789-08:00Digital Beginnings SW 2<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hello again from Digital Beginnings South West. Time for a slightly overdue update! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We have now completed 7 of our 10 music days at Penrose School in Bridgwater. This week’s session was the first since December due to the snow, which caused the school to close on the previous two Wednesdays. After the first 2 or 3 weeks which we spent working with pairs of students, we put together a timetable which features 4 groups of 4 or 5 children. The needs of the children at Penrose vary a lot, and school staff were keen for us to work with all the students from 3 classes in keystages 1 & 2. This has meant that our groups are quite mixed, with students with physical disabilities working alongside students who are more physically able. In every group the line-up includes players using Assistive Music Technology as well as some who are accessing mainstream instruments – mainly percussion. A distinct theme has emerged in each of the groups over the sessions, and they have all been ideas that came from the students. We have a counting song based around the number 7, which happens to be Victoria’s favourite number. We have a song about some rowdy farm animals (working title is “Moo! Baa!”), a seaside song and a ghostly tune where the students are the ghosts and they have come along to scare the adults. We have 3 music days left and are working towards recording each song and building to a performance in assembly on the final day of Term 3 (Friday 12<sup>th</sup> Feb.) We will endeavour to film the performance and put some clips up here for you to see. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The following video clip features footage from early sessions. The musicians are Aysha, who plays Soundbeam with her feet (the sensor is above her legs, and is just out of shot), Daniel, who is apparently not usually as communicative and extroverted as he is in our sessions (especially when he has a mic and a nice delay effect on it!), and Lewis who is playing electric guitar using MIDI Creator. All of these musicians will feature in our performance in February.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <!--EndFragment--> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy28_HVRarA8cnJCPWg6yHXXSH0DD5iqDgogwKNpJCBlPZLEaOqqkwt842M3nCocC533WKPxD7bEzj9hoap8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-83006306126896328032009-11-04T01:29:00.000-08:002009-11-04T05:42:37.386-08:00Northwest Update<span style="font-family:arial;">we now have a few songs in our repertoire: Space Oddity - David Bowie, Womaniser - Britney Spears, 7 Nation Army - white stripes and a few nursery rhymes for one of our younger charges (twinkle twinkle and frerer Jaques)</span>.<span style="font-family: arial;"> Martin an Sean - both pupils of landgate school, are coming on leaps and bounds with singing and in seans case keyboard skills and Connor is finding his voice. check these clips:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Connor vox</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyZYPR8SqgwZkycFWkCx7-kWo8lUWedWUZKVUPiA2OyxzOwoX_3AzwmqV7uzukT8ndjiqW-WA4NThHUtQNHAQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frerer Jaques</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZFfE7GpHcZO911E0cTgL987OvmxNd4P2fXuxotRaTknTcYPJuffEBl9tZRHXZzG4CZthLW9vC3b8mXJUgjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Wominiser</span>:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is Sean's first go at vocals and he was quite nervous but he did a fantastic job. Its worth noting that martin used to be happiest learning songs with a backing track and plenty of practice.. this is the second time through straight off the page. apologies for excessively loud keyboard - we have a better recording which I will try and put up...<br /></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzDGmgSCHJouvfcSDqtVCMiS88-K6hvUGZMMILlLoMTAEwmg9K9sqkoNr6FDbIOeydHlvEt4pDK-EOMtwlD' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sean has let on that he has written a couple of songs himself.. hopefully we'll get to hear some of them next week and get his input for a song for the project.<br /><br />on Nov 17th we're due to visit the wigan stadium with pupils from both schools we're gonna video our trip and then get a sound track together to accompany the visuals hopefully for performance next year...<br /><br />see you soon<br /><br />merlyn<br /></span>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-10285624741280470522009-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:002009-10-28T08:15:15.891-07:00Pause & reflect...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6XwJk2qqlwCNFkVd45RYNZzlpe6gslvMAj5bLSf4mxE9ZWzhOM95gtFymCLiKxe1Zu2MwkfDxzWtQpnZLDH9NtCwMgwzQcmdHd0oRpgbOQOZjD2lIQdRNTYpRbdXCAfqPtFkiHyN4P-L/s1600-h/Lead+Musicians+27+10+09+4web+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6XwJk2qqlwCNFkVd45RYNZzlpe6gslvMAj5bLSf4mxE9ZWzhOM95gtFymCLiKxe1Zu2MwkfDxzWtQpnZLDH9NtCwMgwzQcmdHd0oRpgbOQOZjD2lIQdRNTYpRbdXCAfqPtFkiHyN4P-L/s320/Lead+Musicians+27+10+09+4web+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397667074228760354" /></a><br />Lead musicians (left to right) Andy Banfield -East Mids, Alex Ivanovich - South West, and Merlyn Sturt - North West, met with Lead Co-ordinator Doug Bott at <a href="http://www.bluewaterstudios.co.uk/">Bluewater Studios</a> in Ollerton on 28th October to reflect on the Digital Beginnings work so far; reflections which will inform the ongoing work. <div><br /></div><div>The music sessions which are already taking place in the North West and East Midlands are already proving extremely successful in providing opportunities for young disabled people to actively participate in creating and playing music. </div><div><br /></div><div>Discussions were extremely wide-ranging, but perhaps most useful were those that focussed on striking the best balance between process and 'product', different definitions of what is meant by 'composition' in music and establishing realistic expectations for what each project can achieve in terms of different creative outcomes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking forward to seeing some musical, audio and visual content from the projects up on this blog soon!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Doug</i></div>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-9077186500619859652009-10-15T11:08:00.001-07:002009-10-15T11:10:57.337-07:00Hello<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">Hello, Its Andy here. I'm working with Ash Lea school which is based in North Leicestershire. I'm assisted by Cherie who is my associate musician, we've had some really successful sessions so far, on our topic "Who am i". </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">We've been focusing on the things that engage the students. Our first session we got the children to bring in and discuss things that interest's them. And we created some mini podcasts. for each pupil. which was a good starting point, and triggered lots of ideas for the project. Animation, Soundbeam, Sound to film, filming etc. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">Myself and Cherie will keep you posted as we go on. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">see you on the 27th Andy </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">Studio Address for the meeting on the 27th Bluewaterstudios Grices Yard Station Road Ollerton Village Ollerton Nottinghamshire NG22 9BN</span></div>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-81232707294438884322009-09-23T05:19:00.000-07:002009-09-24T07:11:04.200-07:00digital beginnings Northwest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Hi all,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Merlyn here, lead musician for Digital beginnings NW. Greetings from the northwest contingent. the project has been on the go for 5 weeks already in the from of taster sessions at Landgate and <a href="http:/">Hope</a> schools both in Wigan. Landgate provides for pupils on the autistic spectrum and hope provides predominantly for children with PMLD. Several pupils at landgate are strong singers including Martin Flynn who has a stunning ability in vocal mimicry. Drake Northwest have worked with Martin on previous projects including <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKHWzV7ogpM&feature=channel_page">music engine</a> and it is great to have him on board. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">The taster sessions took place in both schools and now the project has started pupils from landgate are coming over to hope (less than a mile away) to make use of their fantastic facilities: a dedicated studio with projector, lights, sound-system and a Midi Creator setup. We have had 2 successful sessions so far for which I have been assisted by Tom (trainee associate musician) The first session involved some Dalcroze techniques to help pupils establish a sense of musical pulse. The second involved performing some music to accompany images of a space launch. It is hoped that during the project vocal pupils will learn to sing solfa and form a mini choir that will hopefully receive some vocal coaching from a student at the RNCM. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Other plans for the project include a trip to the local football stadium with the intention that pupils will capture images and video footage of their day trip to be accompanied at a later date by appropriate music composed or chosen by them ( or a mixture of the two). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">It's early days but its a great team including a great deal of support from teachers at Hope and both myself and tom will be trying to keep you up to date as the project develops.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">bye for now</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">merlyn</span></div>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-86274871737798807112009-07-24T01:58:00.000-07:002009-09-16T09:45:07.498-07:00Digital Beginnings SWHi Everyone<br /><br />Alex here, lead musician on Digital Beginnings for Drake Music South West. Myself and Clive (trainee musician) will use this blog to share brief but regular updates on our planning and delivery so you can find out how things are going down at Penrose School in Bridgewater.<br /><br />Back in June, I visited the school and spent a very pleasant couple of hours there. I met Liz Tebbutt, who is (amongst many other things) music co-ordinator at the school. I also met some of the students. It was certainly a lively and friendly place. It is quite a mixed school with 45% of the students having PMLD, 25% identifying ASD and the remaining 30% having SLD. Click <a href="http://www.penrose.ik.org/">here</a> to find out more about Penrose School at their website.<br /><br />Unlike many special schools, Penrose do not have a Soundbeam. However, they do have an interesting piece of kit called an OM-i, which Liz kindly let me have a look at. It works a bit like Soundbeam, in that there are beams (in this case beams of light) which you interact with to trigger audio or visual events. It has a number of static beams, and you need a reflective surface to trigger the beam (it comes with gloves and hats etc designed for this purpose). You could argue that this makes it less accessible than a Soundbeam, but Liz believes that it is more used than many SB2s in schools often are due to it's user friendliness. Have a look at OM-i for yourself <a href="http://www.om-interactive.com/interactive_lighting.html">here.</a><br /><br />We are planning our work to focus on the lower school as a musician who is funded by <a href="http://www.jessiesfund.org.uk/Frameset.htm">Jessie's Fund</a> will be working with the older students at around the same time we are there. There may be some opportunity for our projects to overlap and for some collaboration to happen.<br /><br />At the moment it is undecided whether we shall use a 'term theme' for musical inspiration, go on a field trip somewhere or simply start with a blank canvas. <br /><br />Our Digital Beginnings work is due to start after half term, so it'll run from November 09 until February 2010. We'll add to this blawg when more stuff happens.<br /><br />Cheers for now<br />AlexDigital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741372338579711786.post-74151217155312133222009-04-09T02:27:00.000-07:002009-11-20T07:02:17.281-08:00Free software<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Please use this post to share links to and ideas about useful music software resources. If you have access to this blog feel free to edit and add to the info below. If not please email suggestions to dougbott'at'drakemusicproject.org (where the 'at' should of course be @):</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Free / very cheap software, useful for schools & musicians</span></span><div><a href="http://archive.notam02.no/DSP02/en/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Notam DSP</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Audio sequencing software</span></div><div><a href="http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/">Kristal </a>- another audio sequencer<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.soundplant.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Soundplant</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - play audio files from computer keys (or via a switch box)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.ambiloop.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ambiloop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - virtual audio loopstation</span></div><div><a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Audacity</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - free wave editor with fx</span></div><div><a href="http://www.guitar-fxbox.com/">Guitar FX Box</a> - a virtual fx processor, great for connecting a mic to a pc to use echo, reverb etc. on the voice - costs 20 euros</div><div><a href="http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/MUSIC/index.htm">One Switch</a> - web-site listing a bunch of switch accessible music software</div><div><a href="http://www.soundspectrum.com/">Whitecap</a> - Audio visualiser software. Platinum version ($30) responds to mic / line-in </div><div><a href="http://www.rogueamoeba.com/">Audio Hijack Pro</a> - for grabbing audio from anywhere on your computer (Mac only). License costs $32 but can use without a license for any 'hijackings' up to 10 mins.</div><div><a href="http://store.shinywhitebox.com/">iShowU</a> - for recording anything you're doing on your computer screen, audio or video (Mac only). $30</div><div><a href="http://sbooth.org/">MAX</a> - for changing any kind of audio file into any other kind of audio file (Mac only.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Software schools may already have which can be used for music</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">MS Powerpoint</span></div><div><a href="http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clicker/index.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Clicker 5</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sounds, MIDI files & other resources</span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.freesound.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Freesound Project</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Free audio plug-ins (probably not appropriate for most schools)</span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.soundhack.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Soundhack</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - lots of interesting dsp tools</span></div><div><a href="http://destroyfx.smartelectronix.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Destroy FX</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - does exactly what it says...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">More challenging Free audio software (probably not for schools!)</span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.bome.com/midi/translator/">Bome's MIDI Translator</a> - control almost anything in your computer via midi</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://puredata.info/">Pure Data</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - a bit like max/msp but free</span></div><div><a href="http://www.audiosynth.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Super Collider</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - a code based audio programming language, very steep learning curve but sonically it is excellent and once you get your code right it is very robust</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Digital Beginningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669076058542268241noreply@blogger.com3