I started taking cello lessons in October 2011. As a music teacher, it’s been a long time since I’ve been a beginner on an instrument. But I figured it was important to experience a little of what my students are experiencing. Cello was the right instrument to choose. I have never played a string instrument before, and am not fluent reading melodies on the bass clef. I do indeed struggle like a beginner.

After four months of working with a private instructor, I was invited to participate in a strings recital at my music school. Of course I agreed to participate, even though I’d be the oldest by about 15 years (and likely the roughest sounding on my instrument—especially for my height).

I’ve been working really hard in SmartMusic, and I’ve heard from both our customers and our marketing materials that it is perfect for accompanying during recitals. I thought I’d give it a shot. (Hey – this will make a great blog post, right?)

I was delightfully surprised to find that the recital performance was very anti-climactic. I showed up about 5 minutes before the recital was to begin (running late as always), and found that I was first on the program (Murphy's law). I opened the SmartMusic tuner and tweaked the knobs on my cello until SmartMusic told me I was in tune. I didn’t need to connect to the internet—I’d been playing my recital tune in SmartMusic for weeks, so it was already downloaded. The tune loaded with lightning speed. The sound guy plugged my laptop into the system. I kicked the USB foot pedal and SmartMusic started my intro.

SmartMusic played the way it plays every time I practice. There were no surprises. I played the way I’ve been playing the last few times I practiced. And then it was over. I handed the stage over to the other participants (whom I’d overheard talking nervously about playing with their accompanist). I shrugged, then went out for a beer with my parents. (I suppose that’s unique from my underage co-participants.)

I will say this: later in the evening at a different venue, I performed on keyboards with a live blues band that was a part of a “Rock Camp for Adults.” I was brought in as a ringer to fill in. The guys got nervous and our show didn’t sound half as good as the last rehearsal. I’m a huge advocate of playing with live musicians, but I was glad I didn’t have two rough concerts in one day. SmartMusic was solid.

So there’s my blog for today. Want to learn a new instrument and perform in a recital with no drama? Do it right: use SmartMusic.

Baseball Beth and her keyboard/composition student, Jake

My friends call me Baseball Beth. In addition to being a fervent fan of America’s greatest pastime, I’m a MakeMusic employee, a piano composition instructor, and a show director at a local music school. I’ve recently discovered a great music education resource that I’d like to share with others, and I’ve been invited to be a guest blogger on the SmartMusic blog to do so.

The resource I’m referring to is the Weekly Twitter Discussions on Music Education, or #musedchat. It is a great music education resource with a frequent emphasis on technology.

The discussion relates to curriculum ideas in the music classroom. Recent topics have discussed repertoire selection and how music technology programs can benefit high schools. It’s a great place for music educators to get together and share ideas about what works, what doesn’t, or what they’re too afraid to try without someone else’s advice.

One of the greatest benefits of #musedchat is that it offers a place to learn from both experienced music educators AND music education students. The mix of experience is priceless. Participants frequently share links and blogs of stories, ideas, and games for the music classroom, as well as politics and other issues that affect their students’ experience.

I’ve come to depend on #musedchat to keep me current as an instructor, and I also find it beneficial in my role as a MakeMusic employee as I provide my feedback on the development of our products. I encourage all those interested in music education and technology to check it out.

Finding the chat is simple. It takes place every Monday evening at 7:00 PM CST. Once you’re logged in to Twitter, search #musedchat to find the conversation. Dr. Joseph Pisano has published an excellent “getting started” page here. If you’re not available to chat on Monday evening, you can download a transcript of the chat the next morning at http://musicedmajor.net/musedchat/.

Each week, the organizers of #musedchat post a link to a voting page where anyone can vote on what to discuss next. Jump online and vote, and maybe we’ll chat next Monday.