Time for another edition of Fresh Look Fridays. This one contains a review of 2 excellent music websites:
1. Virtual Keyboard
The Virtual Keyboard website is exactly what it sounds like -- an online, virtual keyboard that works really well on a SMART Board. There are a number of things that I like about this website:
- It has a variety of instruments to choose from.
- In piano mode, it actually sounds like a real piano!
- Chord Mode: press the 'chord mode' button, then select a number of keys and hit 'play chord'
- The keys are large with the notes listed on each one
I think this works well with a small group of students interacting with it on an IWB. Depending on the age/musical knowledge of the kids there are numerous ways to use this in the classroom -- for example, have students compose music on it, play a "mimic me" game where students challenge each other to repeat a short tune that they make up or use it as a large surface for a group composition then have the students write down their composition for another group to play.
2. Boomwhackers
Another great music site, but designed for little ones. This website works essentially the same way as the virtual keyboard one above, but is simplified and provides a colourful visual reference for each note.
Curricular Links:
I could, in theory, go through the entire Program of Studies for Music in Alberta to find correlating curricular outcomes, but since these are such open-ended sites, I think I'll let the music teachers decide how these websites fit into their units.
Have an awesome weekend!
Vanessa
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