links

Kingsley Orchestra Links

1. Online metronome. Can help you keep a steady beat, especially in slow practice. Turn up your computer volume as this is not very loud. www.metronomeonline.com

2. String accessories. I have made links to the two biggest online string companies. While I encourage everyone to patronize our local music stores, sometimes they do not offer all of the products needed, or the retail price is unaffordable. Having a local music store with a great instrumental rental program, and qualified repair shop is a great resource in our community. However, I realize many people choose to shop online for a variety of reasons. In music this is a dangerous thing. There are many cheap instruments and accessories online that are of such poor quality that they offer no real savings. If you choose to shop online, or through catalogues, may I suggest: Shar Products-- www.sharmusic.com , or Southwest Strings-- www.swstrings.com

3. Online tuning aids. I didn't have too much luck here. I have listed one for violin, and one for bass. Sorry viola and cello students. I may try to create my own version of this soon. The only thing you can do over the computer is find a way to broadcast the correct pitch. It is up to you to carefully try to match that pitch. Tuners and metronomes are becoming quite affordable, and many will indicate whether you are sharp, or flat. For now, if you want to find out if your strings are close to "concert pitch." violin-- http://mrfiddle.com/htm/tuning.htm , or bass-- www.pnc.com.au/~beehive/tuningnotes.html

4. Free music notation software. This is a great program that I use frequently called "finale notepad." The company makes many versions of this program, some of which cost as much as $300. "notepad" is the free version (downloadable or you can order the disc) and it creates very professional looking music. The program is pretty intuitive, but I hope to have it installed on a few computers at school so I can give the students a quick demonstration/tutorial. www.finalemusic.com

5. Music Games. The San Francisco Symphony, and the Dallas Symphony both have some fun games to help you learn music history and theory. Try going to the Dallas Symphony site and playing "Beethoven Baseball."

www.DSOkids.com

www.SFSkids.org

6. Cool electric guitar version of Canon in D.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=551670992127427964

7. Awesome cello solo (Julie-0)by the cellist in the Turtle Island String Quartet.

http://www.tisq.com/julie0.htm

8. These links will take you to a recording of the 6th grade song "Dragonhunter". One of the links requires a "real player", the other uses a "flash media" player.

http://www.alfred.com/frameset.cfm?sub=strings on this one you will have to scroll down, watching the right hand column of the page. Look for "best selling strings and orchestra products", the second song is Dragonhunter, click the link.

http://www.stringexplorer.com/performance.html Dragon hunter is the 4th song on this page.

9. Link to a recording of "Variations on an Irish Tune" for 8th grade orchestra.

http://www.fjhmusic.com/strings/st6116.htm

10. Link to a recording of Crossing Pirates Cove. Click on the blue headphones.

http://www.kjos.com/results.php?keyword=Crossing+Pirates+Cove&set_search_path=0&search_type=general

11. Link to a recording of Tribal Dance.

http://www.fjhmusic.com/strings/st6127.htm

12. Link to a recording of American Landscape.

http://www.fjhmusic.com/strings/st6117.htm

13. Watch the Bugs Bunny version of Barber of Seville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlXBJJaDIE

14. Listen to Kings of Stone.