jbtsax
R.I.P. in memoriam 1947 - 2023
If anyone has not yet heard of or tried Smart Music I highly recommend it for players of all ages and abilities.
The features of this program are far too numerous to mention in a single post, but can be summed up by saying that aspiring musicians have access to a tremendous amount of literature including jazz band, concert band, solos, and method books at all levels of ability.
The music is shown on the screen as the player hears the accompaniment or the rest of the ensemble. The tempos can be adjusted to work on difficult passages. Players can record themselves to hear how they sound. The program even points out missed notes and rhythms in each performance. There is also an excellent tuning feature as well.
The cost of the program has come way down from when it was first introduced several years ago. It is only $36 US per year. Even though I retired from teaching school band, I still use it for my own enjoyment and to keep up with the new literature. It is really fun to sit in with "The Big Phat Band" and play along on Gordon Goodwin's great (and challenging) arrangements. Lest you get the wrong impression that I can sightread this stuff, I have to practice my butt off to play some of the parts up to tempo. The challenge makes it all the more fun. At the other end of the spectrum, you can go down a few levels in difficulty closer to your comfort zone, and work on your sight reading in both jazz and concert band styles.
I have no financial interest in promoting this program. I just want to make others aware that it is available.
The features of this program are far too numerous to mention in a single post, but can be summed up by saying that aspiring musicians have access to a tremendous amount of literature including jazz band, concert band, solos, and method books at all levels of ability.
The music is shown on the screen as the player hears the accompaniment or the rest of the ensemble. The tempos can be adjusted to work on difficult passages. Players can record themselves to hear how they sound. The program even points out missed notes and rhythms in each performance. There is also an excellent tuning feature as well.
The cost of the program has come way down from when it was first introduced several years ago. It is only $36 US per year. Even though I retired from teaching school band, I still use it for my own enjoyment and to keep up with the new literature. It is really fun to sit in with "The Big Phat Band" and play along on Gordon Goodwin's great (and challenging) arrangements. Lest you get the wrong impression that I can sightread this stuff, I have to practice my butt off to play some of the parts up to tempo. The challenge makes it all the more fun. At the other end of the spectrum, you can go down a few levels in difficulty closer to your comfort zone, and work on your sight reading in both jazz and concert band styles.
I have no financial interest in promoting this program. I just want to make others aware that it is available.