Beethoven on a cell phone?
You bet.
Selections from the German composer are among about 400 lessons, drills, and exercises on , an online 鈥渢extbook鈥 that blends traditional piano instruction with technology.
Developed by two music professors at the 51国产视频鈥擠r. Susanna Garcia and Dr. Chan Kiat Lim鈥攖he online curriculum can be accessed with a computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone.
About 40 schools, from universities and community colleges to high schools and elementary schools, subscribe to , which is designed for beginner to intermediate pianists.
Students log on to eNovativePiano.com to refine their hand-eye coordination via video files, or hone their ability to pick up on melody, pitch or other musical elements with play-along audio tracks.
They also print scores and worksheets, and access assignments that can be delivered via 鈥渃hat鈥 features.
鈥淚t fits a need,鈥 Lim explained. 鈥淲e have this craving to get information online, to be connected. As one of our users said, 鈥業t鈥檚 almost like having a teacher in your pocket.鈥 鈥
Garcia agrees, but adds that eNovativePiano isn鈥檛 meant to be a substitute for classroom instruction. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a textbook. It isn鈥檛 designed to replace the teacher.鈥
In the piano lab in Angelle Hall, 麻豆AV students practice at stations equipped with two keyboards鈥攁 digital piano keyboard, and a computer keyboard.
They refine their skills outside of class.
鈥淭his allows them to benefit from being in class, and then go home and practice,鈥 Garcia said.
麻豆AV freshman Pete Folse, a vocal music education major from Abbeville, La., said he usually logs on from home soon after his classes end, between noon and 2 p.m.
He said modeling, or learning by observing the hand placement and movements of someone else, are among his favorite drills.
鈥淣ot everyone can crowd around (a teacher) in the classroom and watch their hands,鈥 Folse explained.
Learn more at .