SONGSMITH

SONGSMITH is a web 2.0 tool for the music classroom. This Microsoft program "generates musical accompaniment to match a singer’s voice."

By: 1.) choosing a musical style 2.) singing into your PC’s microphone Songsmith will create backing music for you.

= Check out this quick [|tutorial video.] =

This tool is __FREE__ for teachers. There is also a free trial available to anyone. The only downside is that it is only available for PC.

I see this tool as a classroom value because it can be used for students who know how to read/write music as well as those who do not. The website says it best:

*What if I don’t know how to write music?
 Songsmith is for you. Get your first taste of songwriting just by singing into a microphone, then explore different styles and arrangements, even if you don't know the first thing about music theory.

*What if I do know how to write music?
 Songsmith is for you too. Songwriters can use Songsmith as an “intelligent scratchpad” to work with new melodies, quickly turning your scratch recordings of new ideas into richer, deeper explorations. Musicians can also play instruments right into Songsmith, instead of singing

I believe this tool encourages creativity. It allows students of all ages and skill levels to imagine and to BE musicians. I see this at use in my classroom through group collaboration as well as individual web quests. I am so inspired by this teacher. I hope you are too :-)