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Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Mustang Sally on 2/5/2023, 9:53 am

We are a rural district with limited funds. Find a solo accompanist and paying one is nearly impossible. For the past few years we have put the accompaniments into Finale and had the kids play to them. We are looking into SmartMusic for next year. Had a few class 3 solos that we had to put on tape. Worked well, but judges commented about the recorded accompaniments. Thoughts?

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Jennifer Voges on 2/12/2023, 1:04 pm, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

I teach in a rural school and have used Smart Music for many years. Smart Music is definitely not as “smart” as it used to be, but I still find it very useful for easier solos. It is a nice practice tool for younger players to be able to follow along with the music on the screen, click to get a fingering, and utilize tempo/loop features. It is not, however, good for your more advanced solos. I would be happy to talk to you about my experience and the work arounds I have used to make non live accomplishments work for us. jvoges@yoakumisd.net

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Me on 2/7/2023, 8:08 am, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

Yeah, the new smartmusic is not so great. I really don't know anyone who loves it. That being said, I do use it for as many as possible. I do a few things:
1. I input piano parts into finale if SM doesnt have them, then I upload them into SM.
2. I download a "practice track" at a slower tempo with a metronome and email to the student. This has been extremely helpful.
3. I download a "performance track" and email it to the student. No met. Actual performance tempo.
I know I could do this simply in finale, but for me this works a bit better and the kids get way more practice with the accompaniment compared to hiring an actual pianist. I would suggest making a playlist in SM, or even just downloading them all as mp3s and not even having to worry about load times, or anything else.

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Mithrandir on 2/6/2023, 3:24 pm, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

I've mostly used recorded accompaniments whether it be Smart Music or just CD. Usually at TSSEC there is a comment about not having live accompaniment. I guess some of the professors don't understand what it's like to not be in a large city.
Anyways Smartmusic is good, but I miss the old stand-alone app that was far better. You'll probably be missing some music and will have to add it. If that's the case you'll need Finale/Sibelius. If you will use Smartmusic for class (or other than just solos) get it. If you just want to playback solos just get Finale/Sibelius and/or use another notation program.

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Warhawk on 2/6/2023, 10:19 am, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

Provide those sheets to TMAA. How you get the accompaniment part performed shouldn't be of a concern to them.

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Limits on 2/6/2023, 7:50 am, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

SmartMusic is good but ever since their change they have a limited selection on accompaniments. You'll find class three solos, but class twos and ones are rare.

Re: Recorded Solo Accompaniments

Posted by Answer on 2/5/2023, 2:30 pm, in reply to "Recorded Solo Accompaniments"

I think smart music is terrific and I highly recommend it, if your students can play the written tempo. If not…..the piano part sounds distorted.

They have to practice with it so they know what to expect

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