Smartmusic

SmartMusic is a web-based suite of music education tools that support efficient practice, helping musicians to develop and grow.

SmartMusic is a web-based music education platform that allows teachers to create individualized assignments for every student. Students receive immediate feedback as they practice each assignment. Their best performances are then sent back to the teacher for grading and additional guidance. SmartMusic transforms student practice from passive repetition to active learning.

Your Student’s Account

Each of our students has access to a SmartMusic ‘Standard’ account provided by our program. This gives them access to all class assignments plus content in the free library including: Skill building, Sight reading tools, a selection of state scales, and a sample of ensemble titles. Once your student is signed up, they may optionally upgrade their account to a ‘Premium’ account expanding their access to including thousands of band and orchestra ensemble titles and thousands of solos. 

SmartMusic Assignments & Grading

SmartMusic assessments will be regularly assigned to the students including scales, method book exercises, and excerpts from pieces we are working on in class.

Students should strive to submit assignments with scores of 90% or higher. Scores below 90% may be reassigned. Imagine going to a concert where only 90% of the notes were played correctly…yikes!

Completing Assignments

The students can complete the assignments anywhere and anytime they have access to the basic computer requirements or an iPad (see below). SmartMusic uses the built in device microphone to assess the students. It’s important that the student work on their assignments somewhere quiet and free of background noise. All students in the program will be given extensive tutorials in class on how to utilize the software and complete assignments.

SmartMusic Support

If you’re having trouble using the SmartMusic software, online help is available and can be found at the following link. There are several articles covering a wide range of help topics. https://smartmusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Upgrade Accounts to Premium

Students can upgrade their free STANDARD accounts to Premium on their own by paying for an individual subscription. This enables the student to have full access to entire SmartMusic library. This is highly recommended, though not required to complete assignments for class.

device requirements

Click here to access the SmartMusic system and device requirements. Currently, Mac & PC computers, Chromebooks, and newer iPads are supported. Smartphones and Android tablets are not supported at this time.

Microphone Quality

The quality of the microphone makes all the difference. While built-in laptop and iPad microphones work okay, the quality of the recording is not very good and sometimes notes are not assessed correctly. In extreme cases, we are happy to review the assignment submitted and change the student’s score if it is clear that SmartMusic’s assessment missed several correctly played notes. 

A higher quality external microphone for your computer placed closely to the instrument or using iPhone headphones with a speaking mic with your iPad should yield much better results. 

Video Recording Instuctions

• Please record your video in landscape view (not portrait).

• Make sure we can see you and your instrument.

  • Band: You, the instrument, and both hands (or trombone slide).

  • Orchestra: Your left hand (fingerboard), and your right hand (bow grip).

• Practice with a metronome and stay in time through the entire excerpt.

  • Make sure you play the correct tempo as marked in the music.

  • Review the assignment to determine if it's okay to record with the metronome on.

• If possible, record in a carpeted room with more surfaces to absorb sound (like curtains).

• If necessary, trim the video to eliminate deadspace. However, leave a few seconds before and after you play so your performance isn’t clipped.

• LISTEN to your recording all the way through BEFORE submitting to make sure it sounds the way you want it to. Only submit the best representation of your playing!

• Do everything possible to be impressive, including your tone quality, accuracy, posture, and any other aspect of great musicians.

• Assume this (and future) recordings will be considered when placing you in an ensemble!

Grading Scale

This grading scale will apply to most (not all) video assignment submissions.

​Turned in On Time:

95-100% - Perfect or nearly perfect

90-94% - 1 or 2 minor issues

80-89% - 2 to 3 noticeable issues

70-79% - Several Issues affect the quality of the performance.

60-69% - Significant Issues affect the quality of the performance.

50-59% - Very Poor Performance/Unrecognizable

​Not Turned In

0 - Not Turned In/Missing

 Technology

Here is everything we will be using in our classes to support virtual learning! There is information below and you can also access specific information about the programs and platforms we are using by using the links on the left of the page (if you are on a computer) or by clicking the (+) at the top right if you are on a mobile device. As always, let us know if you have any questions!

Basic Setup at Home

Creating a space for school-work-from-home must also involve your instrument! Depending on what you play, you may need more physical space around you to not compromise your ability to play with proper technique and work on your sound diligently. Trombones and cellists need enough slide room and arm/bow space, without risk of breaking anything, and playing trumpet in a closet is not a good idea for your ears either.

To the best of your ability, please ensure you have the following in your practice / digital music-learning space:

• enough room to function

  • large enough personal bubble!

  • away from furniture that may inhibit your ability to play

  • and where a music stand can fit with you, at a typical/comfortable distance too!

• a fairly secluded space

  • for focus reasons

  • to avoid external, environmental sound (eg: TV in the living room, very loud AC unit)

  • if it may become a distraction to other family members during the day, and there is no place to go, please reach out to your director(s) so we may assist in troubleshooting. When we all have instruments, it will be important to be able to play during the school day and practice in the evening!

• a surface (table or desk) on which a laptop/computer could record your post-practicing performance

  • and capture you playing your instrument properly!

  • is it far enough away to see your hand/bow placement, but close enough for the viewer to see what’s happening?

• can it stay set up?

  • taking time each day to set up/break down a space can get tedious and may contribute to a lack of a desire to play one’s instrument- try finding a place that can be left alone and set up for whenever you need to access it, for the most part!

The following items are suggested for your student’s best possible experience within Distance Learning.

A good pair of headphones will ensure they don’t miss any subtleties in audio-based instruction. Over-ear style headphones may also aid in focus as it would better block out other environmental sounds, but ear-buds are also sufficient. Headphones with a mic attachment would also be a substantial improvement over the built-in microphone in most desktop computers or laptops.

These are entry-level industry-style headphones:

• Sony Studio Headphones with microphone in cable (Amazon)

A legitimate stand-alone microphone will ensure your student’s audio is captured at its best, which means they can receive the best possible feedback from teachers and better contribute to possible virtual ensemble recordings.

Entry Level (USB Mic)

• External USB Mic (Example on Amazon)

Advanced Level (interface + studio style microphone)

• If you are a serious musician, and forsee yourself pursuing music in your future, now is a great time for an investment!

• Scarlet 2i2 Interface (Amazon)

• Shure SM57 Microphone (Amazon)

  • This is the industry standard microphone, good for all instruments!

• XLR Cable (Amazon)

  • you can’t use a microphone without this!

• Boom stand (Amazon)

  • a boom stand will allow for adjustment at more angles than a traditional straight/fixed stand

• Example package deal (Amazon)

  • this includes more than you truly need, but the additions are sort of fun

If you have any additional sound-gear-related questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Shinaver!