Understanding music

Music technology

Digital technologies provide an evolving range of resources that can be used to access and share music and for all aspects of music-making. Musicians’ interest in technology is long-standing but always pragmatic. Whether the technology involves instrument-making or ways of recording and distributing music or any of the options available through the digital world, the technologies provide a means to an end – not an end in itself. In music learning programs the same situation applies. For example, digital technologies in the form of apps, games, programs and instruments can be used to explore and play, record, notate, compose, practise, perform, connect with other musicians, research and distribute, comment on and receive feedback about music. The intended learning outcomes, the learning context and pedagogies will all influence decisions about when and how to use digital technologies in a music learning program.

As with any resources it is worth asking around and checking with other teachers who are regularly using digital technology in their music program as to the pros and cons of any resource before your school invests in specific technologies.

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