Music Lab is a wonderful way for my students to learn a variety instruments. As I have shared before, keyboard is our entry instrument; students learn basic music theory that is especially helpful for all string instruments. We are a small rural school, but that fact does not interfere with our student's desire to learn music.
Music lab students often transition to ukulele, acoustic/electric guitar, or bass guitar.
My students have developed a variety of playing styles and repertoire. It is always interesting to see what songs appeal to them when learning these instruments. One of the fun things I have noticed is that early classic rock songs are always in their repertoire!
My Project
Our music lab started with very basic equipment that was donated by our community members through the years. Some equipment has been replaced as they failed, wore out, etc. Our bass guitar was replaced through a DonorsChoose.org project along with guitar cords and two Marshall practice amps. Two electric guitars were also recently donated. We are in the process of growing our program so that students can explore technology and music.
Students will be using this new equipment such as a delay guitar effects pedal and a overdrive noise effect pedal to interact in a variety of ways such as creating loops that they can solo or improvise over.
This project will help my students explore the Music Technology Strand of the Colorado Music Standards. Students will be creating, improvising, and arranging songs they have learned to express them in new ways to make the songs their own.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Gray and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
