Survival Checklist–Before the Class
❏
Two months before: Order your texts and disks. As stated in the previous chapter, it is imperative that you use the
basic technology of an SMF-accompanied text. Several publishers' texts with accompanying disks are listed below.
•
Alfred
Basic Group Piano Course
, Books 1-4
Group Piano for Adults
, Books 1-2
Piano 101
, Books 1-2
Piano 101
, The Short Course
•
Stipes
Keyboard Musicianship
, 7th edition, Books I & II,
•
Wadsworth
Piano for the Developing Musician
, 5th edition
Piano for Pleasure
, 4th edition
Supplementary materials from various publishers
•
Turbo Music’s
You're the Star
series (distributed by Hal Leonard)
•
Performance Plus
series (Warner Bros.)
❏
One month before: Order Visual Music Tutor (V-MT1) for student purchase at bookstore. Research suggests a vast
improvement in reading skill and retention when a student uses music tutor disks (SMFs) to guide their progress.
By requiring students to use a visual tutor as they study, one will see significant skill improvements.
❏
The day before: Make certain all things are in place, and have a “technical rehearsal” to determine that all connec-
tions are working
A) Verify that all Text, syllabi and disks are in class (or in bookstore for student purchase)
B) Type student names into virtual gradebook. You may use the import text option to simplify the process.
C) Verify all MIDI & visual connections are working
D) Make printed notes for yourself of all common MTLC-16 functions
❏
30 minutes before class: Have another “technical rehearsal” to verify that everything is operational and in place—
books, disks, connections, volume levels, and visual display
A) Random check of audio communication with student stations
B) Technical check of SMFs
C) Technical check of monitors
D) Technical check of MIDI communication between computer and teacher keyboard
Chap. 2–Surviving Your First Class
15
