Where do I start?
Our goal at Keys to Imagination is to help you set up technology and a lab in your studio. We can provide information, demos, and recommendations based on your own studio and help get you started. Unlike most stores, when you purchase your software and materials from us, we also provide e-mail help and support getting set up and can help answer your questions. Our goal is to provide you with personalized customer service.
Here are some answers to common questions about starting a lab. We also recommend our book, Studio Makeover: Technology "Addition" to provide you more detailed, step by step information.
What are the benefits of having a lab?
Increase student’s abilities and theory knowledge through various software programs.
Individualized instruction and assessment. The evaluation is immediate and can be totally accurate and impartial).
Reinforce concepts you have covered during their lesson and provide extra practice.
Cover concepts you may not always have time for during ½ hour lesson.
Students learn about music history, composers and music appreciation.
Students learn about technology in music. Motivation and
Motivation students enjoy their lab time and tend to stay with lessons longer
Scheduling.
Increase your income.
How do I schedule lab?
There can be several options for scheduling your lab. What I have found to work best is having two students come per hour. While one is in lab, I am teaching the other. Half-way through the lesson they switch places. I require every student to do lab with each lesson.
How much does it cost to set up a lab and what equipment do I need?
What you spend and when you spend it is up to you and the costs of programs vary. You can start out small with just a computer and a few programs and gradually add, or set it up everything at once. Although an option for most programs, using a keyboard with your computer is the most beneficial and will provide students the opportunity to play their music rather than using a mouse.
How do I hook up my keyboard to my computer?
In order to hook up your keyboard to your computer, you need a keyboard with MIDI ports and a MIDI Interface cable which allows the computer and keyboard to talk to each other. (Yamaha UX16) This cable can also be used to record a performance in real time and transcribe it into notation in a program such as Finale or Sibelius.
What can I charge my students for the use of the lab?
Lab fees should be 25-50% of your current rate. For example, if you currently charge $18 per ½ hour lesson, you could charge up to $27 for an hour with a lab. Even if you decide to charge a lesser fee for the lab, although not recommended, you will be able to cover your lab costs in the first year. You are also able to write off the cost of your computer, software and additional resources you use in your lab.
If you have 30 students and teach 35 lessons per year, charging an additional $9 per lesson for the lab will generate $9,450 in additional income for you in just one school year.
Let's say you only charge an additional $5, with the same number of students and lessons. You will generate an additional $5,250 in one school year.
What do students do during their lab time?
Students can work on a variety of activities such as software, CDs, DVDs, working with MIDI files, composing, sight reading or books.
When I choose a program I look for something that is attractive and easy to use. A program should not be used simply because it exists. There are a few programs we do not carry because we feel there are better programs available.
Keys to Imagination Assignment and Activity Books which are designed specifically for studios with labs have activities for lab time. (See Assignment/Activity Books)
How do I know what they are doing during their independent time?
Most programs track student progress.
Keys to Imagination Assignment and Activity Books have places to write a sentence or two about what they have learned or found interesting. It also has a place for students to write their lab accomplishments.
Classical Kids CDs and Accent on Composers (by Alfred) have reproducible worksheets to complete.
Have them track their progress in the Lab Log (by Keys to Imagination)
What are the different types of software available?
Educational Software and Games teach students about theory and give exercise, drills or games to practice these concepts. Ideas for Theory Software and Games include Music Ace, Essentials of Music Theory, Interactive Musician, Alfred Theory Games. MiDisaurus, Music Lessons, Sibelius Educational Suite, Home Concert Extreme.
Accompaniment Programs -- Both students and teachers can create custom accompaniments using this type of program. Band in a Box is a popular choice and provides auto-accompaniments as well as a creative and educational tool. Students can record a melody and then enter chords they think would sound good and then choose a style for the accompaniment. Educational benefits of this program also include learning about chords and harmony, experimenting and learning about various styles of music, and can gain insight into elements of composition and improvisation. Using this knowledge, students can create their own style and allows for students to be creative as well.
Some benefits of using accompaniments are that students become more aware of maintaining a rhythmic pulse, learn to stay on the beat, and maintain a steady rhythm. Teachers can create custom and/or instant accompaniments in various styles or let the program auto-harmonize a melody. Simply enter the chords, choose a style and click play. Band in a Box will generate a five-part accompaniment based on the chords and style. You can add a melody by recording it from a keyboard or importing from a MIDI file. It allows you to change the tempo, transpose and change styles easily.
Notation Programs are designed to allow you to enter music, edit, arrange and print using traditional notation. Unlike recording programs, notation software won't allow you to record audio tracks from a microphone to burn a CD although you can also save your score as an audio file for burning to CD. If you want to burn your MIDI tracks to a CD, you will still need audio recording software such as Sound Forge or CuBase.
Can you recommend a program or two to start with?
This can vary per studio but typically I recommend starting with Music Ace Maestro. Music Ace Maestro includes 48 lessons, 48 games, Doodle Pad, (to create your own simple compositions), Maestro Manager, (a great way to view your students progress and manage their information) and an excellent teacher's guide with ideas and worksheets as well as information. If you are charging out for a lab, you will want to start out with more than one program.
My next recommendation would be Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory and Interactive Musician. Both of these are very complete programs and compliment each other for a wide variety of ages from about 2nd grade through high school.
Adding Alfred's Theory Games at any point is a great addition to any lab. The games can be used as a lab activity or as a time filler after other lab assignments are complete.
If you have younger students (up to 7 or 8), I would recommend MiDisaurus, Pianomouse, My Piano and Sibelius Groovy Shapes.
For older students, Music Lessons 1 and 2 or Sibelius Musition or Auralia and Compass are good choices.
Another great addition is Home Concert Xtreme. Students play music on a keyboard along with the music on the screen. Standard MIDI files such as lesson book MIDI disks or supplementary music disks work with this program and it can be a great learning and practice tool during lab. (For some MIDI accompaniment files, click on the MIDI Files on USB Flash Drives link.)
Many people do not realize that Sibelius an educational suite in addition to their notation software. Here are the programs in the suite:
Auralia provides ear training practice and assessment on 41 topics and includes various syllabi and allows teacher customization. Designed for middle school students up to college, the software guides students and moves them through the designated levels and they receive instant feedback as they progress. There are also comprehensive record-keeping and reporting features for teachers as well.
Musition provides music theory practice and assessment on 26 topics makes the fundamentals of music accessible to students of all ages. Designed for middle school students up to college, the software guides students and moves them through the designated levels and they receive instant feedback as they progress. There are also comprehensive record-keeping and reporting features for teachers as well.
Instruments is the only comprehensive and interactive encyclopedia of orchestral and band instruments with full details of their characteristics, how to write for them and hundreds of quality recordings. Instruments also explains all about different orchestras, bands and ensembles including their historical development and repertoire. The software guides students through the various levels.
Compass is the only program to teach students to compose music with project based learning. The compositional tool box makes it easy to develop new ideas and the Tracker Sequencer is easy to use and comes with lost of content. This program also comes with extensive teacher materials.
Groovy Music is the newest addition to the suite and is designed for ages 5-11. Groovy Shapes is designed for ages 5-7. Groovy Jungle is designed for ages 8-9. Groovy City is designed for ages 10-11. Fun to use, Groovy Music teaches the basics of sound, rhythm, pitch and composition using pictures and animation. It guides students with a simple voiceover and lets them create their own music as well as carry out directed activities with plenty of room for creativity.
Remember to supplement your software with books, CDs and DVDs.
Do students need software at home?
Most of their work is done during their lab time, however, students will also benefit from having certain programs at home as well such as Home Concert Xtreme. (This program works well with the MIDI files from their lesson books.) Some programs such as Interactive Musician, Essentials of Music Theory, and Music Ace offer student versions for extra practice at home as well.