Embedded Files
"Making it easy for the kids to practice at home is one of the hardest parts when you can't rehearse in class."
"Making it easy for the kids to practice at home is one of the hardest parts when you can't rehearse in class."
You are Welcome to use any on my tutorial videos to help you musicians.
You are Welcome to use any on my tutorial videos to help you musicians.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
"Make sure you select music that is something you won't mind listening to over and over again. Ear-worms make great Virtual Ensembles."
"Make sure you select music that is something you won't mind listening to over and over again. Ear-worms make great Virtual Ensembles."
4 Ways To Practice
4 Ways To Practice
No. 1: Classic Practice tracks and Instructions:
No. 1: Classic Practice tracks and Instructions:
For more experienced musicians all you will need is annotated music and the practice tracks for them to learn a piece of music the way you want it performed.
For more experienced musicians all you will need is annotated music and the practice tracks for them to learn a piece of music the way you want it performed.
You can also have the students sing/play along with the same recording for practice and during the recorded performance
No. 2: Video Practice tracks with score and instructions
No. 2: Video Practice tracks with score and instructions
Record yourself conducting to the practice track. Give a brief introduction on spots to look out for or to focus on. I find video instructions work better than written ones.
Record yourself conducting to the practice track. Give a brief introduction on spots to look out for or to focus on. I find video instructions work better than written ones.
No. 3: Syncro-Sectionals:
No. 3: Syncro-Sectionals:
During synchronous learning over you can talk to the students about trouble spots, model for them what you want, have them speak back the text. You can even put the students on mute, play a practice track and have them sing. Ask for feedback on places they had trouble.
During synchronous learning over you can talk to the students about trouble spots, model for them what you want, have them speak back the text. You can even put the students on mute, play a practice track and have them sing. Ask for feedback on places they had trouble.
St. Veronica's Choir Conductor on Syncro-Rehearsals
Syncro Sectionals.m4vNo. 4: Google Practice Slides:
No. 4: Google Practice Slides:
This is the most time consuming but most helpful way for your ensemble to practice. In this method you have screenshots of their parts on a slide and the corresponding practice track embedded in the slide as well. Please see the example below.
This is the most time consuming but most helpful way for your ensemble to practice. In this method you have screenshots of their parts on a slide and the corresponding practice track embedded in the slide as well. Please see the example below.
Makeing Practice Slides.m4vHow to Create Practice Slides
Need Formative/Check-In Grades?
Need Formative/Check-In Grades?
Create assignments where student send you a casual audio recording of a certain measure range. There you can give feedback on the music but also on the audio quality. Are they too close or too far away from the mic? Are they in a space that is too live? This will set them up for success when recording their performances.
Create assignments where student send you a casual audio recording of a certain measure range. There you can give feedback on the music but also on the audio quality. Are they too close or too far away from the mic? Are they in a space that is too live? This will set them up for success when recording their performances.
(the deader the space the better for audio recording)
Practice Slides
Practice Slides
The first few slides are background information on the piece and instructions for the singers. The actual practice assistance starts on slide 5. The audio tracks are set to loop.
The first few slides are background information on the piece and instructions for the singers. The actual practice assistance starts on slide 5. The audio tracks are set to loop.
Instrumental Ensembles: a teacher can isolate one section with out the printed music, embed the accompaniment/practice track and post written or video instructions on each slide.
Instrumental Ensembles: a teacher can isolate one section with out the printed music, embed the accompaniment/practice track and post written or video instructions on each slide.
To the left we have two examples. The top one is a full piece sectioned out. The second is just the two hardest parts of a piece sung in solfege, and the french was taught during a synchronous class.
To the left we have two examples. The top one is a full piece sectioned out. The second is just the two hardest parts of a piece sung in solfege, and the french was taught during a synchronous class.
Logic pro was use to transpose a male voice up an octave to create the Soprano and Alto lines.
Example of Powerpoint Practice Slide
Example of Powerpoint Practice Slide
The desktop Application for powerpoint is faster option for creating rehearsal slides than Google Slides in terms of integration and trimming the audio.
The desktop Application for powerpoint is faster option for creating rehearsal slides than Google Slides in terms of integration and trimming the audio.
In PPT you can trim the audio file to your desired measure range. in Google Slide you have to pre trip all your clips and upload them to your Google Drive.
In PPT you can trim the audio file to your desired measure range. in Google Slide you have to pre trip all your clips and upload them to your Google Drive.
If you are not including audio both options are just as fast.
If you are not including audio both options are just as fast.
Lacrimosa.pptxMake screen to access audio files.
Example Practice Room Website
Example Practice Room Website
How to Create Practice Tracks
How to Create Practice Tracks
Recording Practice Tracks
Recording Practice Tracks
Practice Tracks.m4vYou can also purchase practice tracks and accompaniments from:
You can also purchase practice tracks and accompaniments from:
As always your musicians can play/sing along with a recording of your choosing
As always your musicians can play/sing along with a recording of your choosing
Step 1:
Step 1:
- Hire your accompanist to make a recording of the accompaniment, play it out yourself, or use a music scanning software to create a midi/sampled instrument accompaniment track.
Step 2: (Option 1)
Step 2: (Option 1)
- Place that track into Logic Pro, GarageBand, or Audacity. Then record yourself singing/playing the parts.
Step 2: (Option 2)
Step 2: (Option 2)
- Using the scanning software make the part you want to high light louder than the rest or play the piano along to emphasise the part in recording software (see above)
Step 2: (Option 3)
Step 2: (Option 3)
- You can make a practice track by playing the accompaniment in the background on another device while you record yourself on your phone or computer. (this is fast but the quality is low)
Step 3 (optional): Polishing your practice tracks. See below
Step 3 (optional): Polishing your practice tracks. See below
Pitch Correction .m4vPitch Correction For Your Tracks
Pitch Correction For Your Tracks
I'll never sing it all perfectly in tune. The quick step of adding pitch correction maks your tracks sound more cohesive.
I'll never sing it all perfectly in tune. The quick step of adding pitch correction maks your tracks sound more cohesive.
Transposing Your Voice.m4vTransposing your Voice
Transposing your Voice
This quick step will allow you to sing all of the parts in your choir. If you are a soprano , sing the bass line an octave up and then transpose it down.
This quick step will allow you to sing all of the parts in your choir. If you are a soprano , sing the bass line an octave up and then transpose it down.
Outsourcing some of the Work
Outsourcing some of the Work
Message from Laura.m4v
How Laura Lazarevich Made a Virtual Choir Spring 2020
How Laura Lazarevich Made a Virtual Choir Spring 2020
Here are some resources on companies that make practice tracks and Virtual Choirs.
Here are some resources on companies that make practice tracks and Virtual Choirs.
Other Useful Apps
Other Useful Apps
AnyTune:
AnyTune:
An app that can slow down or speed up your practice tracks or accompaniments without changing the key. You can then export that modified track and include it in your ensemble resources. http://taps.io/anytune-web
An app that can slow down or speed up your practice tracks or accompaniments without changing the key. You can then export that modified track and include it in your ensemble resources. http://taps.io/anytune-web
ReFrame:
ReFrame:
An app that can isolate and cut out vocals or instruments to help practice. You can then export that modified track and include it in your ensemble resources. This is included with Anytune
An app that can isolate and cut out vocals or instruments to help practice. You can then export that modified track and include it in your ensemble resources. This is included with Anytune
There are copyright implications for modifying existing recordings. Be aware of who can see/use your modified tracks.
Music Scanning Software:
Music Scanning Software:
Music scanning software is becoming better and better every year. You can scan full orchestral scores with the desktop applications. You can also make quick passable audio files with some phone apps. as well.
Music scanning software is becoming better and better every year. You can scan full orchestral scores with the desktop applications. You can also make quick passable audio files with some phone apps. as well.
I have used SmartScore for a number of years. It was the best music scanner out there.
Mobile Apps
Mobile Apps
Computer Applications
Computer Applications
Page updated
Report abuse