Week 4: Notation software, graphics, & copyright.

This week, we discussed the fundamental features of notation software such as Flat.io, Musescore, Sibelius and Noteflight. It was useful learning certain shortcuts in these applications (e.g., SHIFT+I to make copies of an original phrase), and using the stylus pen and iPad for Western music notation. Additionally, I was fascinated by being able to play music on an instrument and having the software notate it out for you in real time, lending to the possibilities of technology for classroom activities. I envision myself using Sibelius' education features to create teaching resources including copy and pasting into Word, the graphics export, worksheet creator, composition logging (done for you in the software), the ideas hub, transformations, and video exporting.

Despite the fact that music teachers handle various resources, copyright laws are often overlooked in education. I learned that I can get uncopyrighted music from the IMSLP, and that public schools have APRA AMCOS licences so that teachers can legally photocopy. 

I learned about certain specificities in the Australian copyright system, which is definitely to keep in mind when planning lessons and collating teaching resources.

• It is illegal to convert the file in any way, e.g., buy another artists' song and transpose it or change the tempo in Sibelius.

• It is illegal to use unlicensed music

• It is illegal if I buy my own song (that I arranged and uploaded on, for example, Noteflight). However, it is legal if my school buys my song. 

• "Fair use" is an American law which does not apply to me in Australia. This means I need to be careful because American artists can sue me for breaking this law.