SmartMusic 9.0 released

MakeMusic today released , its teaching and learning tool designed to motivate, guide, and document the individual development of students in band, orchestra and choir. SmartMusic includes a new jazz repertoire created by Wynton Marsalis and his musicians, bringing Marsalis' music to life for jazz students as they learn from the masters while playing with accompaniments performed by Eric Lewis on piano, Carlos Henriquez on bass and Ali Jackson on drums. SmartMusic 9.0 is available as a subscription service from $10 per month for individuals, or from $20 per month for schools. The update is free to all current subscribers of SmartMusic.

On-screen transcription of rhythm section accompaniments in the Wynton Marsalis Series and other select jazz titles by Jamey Aebersold and Alfred Publishing allow students to see and hear the music as they practice at any tempo, and transcriptions help rhythm sections learn to comp behind soloists. The software includes challenging jazz exercises with swing solo-line playback and assessment tools, to guide students as they develop their skills. Jazz improvisation patterns are included with all on-screen jazz titles to help students learn to read chord changes, while 160 graded play by ear exercises use "call and response" methodology to develop listening skills. Version 9.0 also harbors repertoire additions of select musicals including Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, and My Fair Lady with music on-screen for woodwind, brass and string instruments.

by MacNN Staff