Technology to move your studio into 2015

                              Technology to move your studio into 2015

I see a lot of blogs here that suggest different apps that you can use to help with teaching. I find that a lot of these are super helpful. However, I don’t see many blogs on what to use to keep current technology-wise.

This is a short post to hopefully get your semi-set up to be the tech savvy teacher. These technologies will not only look cool, they will streamline what you do and make you more efficient in your studio. This is not a complete list, but these are pieces of technology that I have found to be effective and have changed the way that I teach in some ways. Resources are literally at my fingertips with these devices and apps. I have added links in case you would like to check them out for yourself. Enjoy!

• Tablet­- I list this first because it was THE BEST investment that I have made into my studio beyond my practice time and possibly the purchase of my instrument. If you do not have a tablet in your studio, you should get one immediately. They can be a little pricey, but they will change your world. Every piece of technology that you previously had in your studio will be replaced with a tablet. Sure, your smart phone CAN do what a tablet can do, but there is more storage, more visual space, more storage, faster processors, louder speakers, more storage, no text messages or phone calls coming through while listening to something, did I mention more storage? Currently, I am using a Samsung Tab 3 7inch. It is last year’s model, but it works great! The Tab 4 had a quad core processor, but the dual core of the Tab 3 still gets it done! I run all my book keeping apps, calendars, assignment lists, PDF files, store music, mp3’s, videos, metronome app, tuner app, iReal Pro, everything happens through this tablet. Get one, it will change your life. The only downside I have to my tablet…I wish I would have bought the 10 inch instead of the 7 inch. Reading music is a little difficult on a 7 inch screen. Doable, but it is much easier on a 10 inch screen. Plus, the battery life on my Samsung can last 3 or 4 days of 4 hours of lessons a day before having to recharge in some cases.
• JBL Flip Bluetooth Speaker– To be honest, I do not own one of these. However, one of my fellow teachers has one and I borrowed it. I can’t tell you how much easier it was to listen to music or have a play along mp3 or iReal Pro running through my tablet, through the Bluetooth connection, through that speaker. It was loud, crisp, and more sound than I could have asked for. Currently, I am using some old computer speakers that have long wires that I have to connect to the tablet, that are dangling from the stand to the speakers, can get in the way of my horn, I have to step over the wires to get anywhere in my studio. Once Easter hits and I get those gig checks, I know what I am investing in! You should too.
• Bluetooth Keyboard– I do have one of these and it is just nice to connect this to the tablet and type with the keyboard instead of typing on the screen. Supper simple, basically like having a laptop, but better. I type up lesson plans, assignments, emails, etc. I got a cheap one at a Black Friday sale last year. It has lived up to everything that I expected it to be.
• A recording device– I have an old school, hook up the mic and play type device. Tascam Pocketstudio DP-004. It is a little old (in fact it has been discontinued), but it has external mics, a mic hookup and a USB out to transfer all that I record to my computer. There are much newer devices out there that you can pick up for a decent price. I use this to record lessons, record college audition practices, and record group performances. It’s portable and it works.
• One business app that I have found super useful is Expensify. It tracks mileage 3 different ways, 2 manual and 1 through GPS. It allows you to take a picture of receipts and it will input the information into a form, it lets you manually input expenses, then it adds it all up for you. All of this on my tablet! It’s a pretty solid app.

Again, I know there are many things out there that make your teaching life easier. I encourage you to share those things in the comments so others can benefit from them. I’m excited to see what 2016 has to offer in the technology department.

Also, if you like the things that I am posting, follow my blog!

Thanks for reading!