A Comparison Between Traditional Home Instrumental Practice Methods and SmartMusic Practice Technology

Using computers in the elementary band classroom is still a very uncommon phenomenon. It is a continuing challenge to impose regular practice for beginning band. It is impossible for the beginning student to differentiate what is right and what is wrong musically in their own playing because of the limitations due to lack of experience. The study will attempt to show how a computer software package called "SmartMusic" can help increase the quality of at home practice in beginning elementary band students. It will also demonstrate the regained teaching time for band directors that use the software effectively. Using forty-three elementary beginning band students, the study will compare the ability of students to proceed at a faster pace and will compare the times spent in home practice with instant musical feedback to those who have traditional methods of practice without any feedback what so ever. A random sampling of students will be provided with a laptop computer that is load with "SmartMusic" and will be allowed to use them for their first year of beginning band.