OrchestraTeacher.net Blog

YouTube Uploads with iPhone 4

I recently ran a sectional at Darby High School where I am the assistant director. Students were preparing playing test excerpts from their music. At the end of class with only two minutes left, I asked the students if they would like to have a recording of the excerpts to...

Customizable Music Theory Drills

For many years now, MusicTheory.net has been a great website to send students to for drill practice of music theory, especially note reading. The site has undergone a transformation by moving to HTML5 coding language and away from the reliance on the proprietary Adobe flash format. Now the teachers is...

Tuning Sequence

I’ve developed a 3 step tuning sequence I use when students are able to tune their instruments comfortably. I created a track using Apple’s Garageband that automates this process. The track allows me to get away from standing in front of the class and provides me the ability to wander...

iPod Nano for $99

For a limited time Apple is selling refurbished 8GB iPod Nanos for just $99 (regularly $149 new). Apple Store Link I used these iPods for my orchestra students’ individual assessment last year and was very happy with the results. I was able to seamlessly integrate the iPods into my rehearsals...

An iPhone/iPad as a violin effects processor?

Griffin Technology recently announced a guitar connection cable for the iPhone/iPad/iTouch. This cable allows you to plug in a guitar/bass/keyboard to the iDevice and use it as an effects processor while running the free iShred LIVE app. Check out the video… The big question is, will it work with an...

OSU Workshops Information

All of the presentation files and links shown at my sessions at the 2010 OSU String Teacher Workshop are now available on my website It was a pleasure working with all of the participants and such a joy to see so many interested in String Ed Tech! I am looking...

OSU String Teacher Workshop 2010

I am happy to have been invited to present four sessions at the OSU String Teachers Workshop. Over the next few days I will present tech sessions to string teachers across the country. I look forward to working with these teachers and getting them excited about string ed tech. Here...

iPhone 4: a winner

I received my iPhone 4 on June 23, the day before the official launch. On the first day of pre-orders, June 15, I did have a significant issue in ordering online from Apple, but was able to place my order with AT&T. I’m not exactly sure why I was eligible...

Reliable Dropbox

I’ve been using DropBox for about a year now, and it’s a great piece of software.  I have had no problems syncing my two Macs, and most recently my iPhone. DropBox has allowed me to have an offsite backup of my files, with the ability to work on them on...

My first Kindle for iPhone experience

So I decided to take the plunge into the world of eBooks and purchased my first books on my iPhone via the free Kindle app. Thanks to my new friend Scott Laird, I was intrigued to read some books based upon his recommendations.  He recommended the following: Grown Up Digital by...