the IPM News

What’s new this week?

The weekly newsletter has been published late this week due to some late editions so let us get straight to them.

Analysis and Evaluation of Examination Results

The results are in! Students who took their music exams last term will this week receive their grades during lesson. The lesson will involve analysing the report to fathom what went well, and what could have been done better. These will be highlighted in the summer term report at a later date in the term. Once all has been established, tutors will then give the student the song for their next grade to be performed at the Concert and Presentation Awards in July.

Students who have not sat their exams yet, are rescheduled to sit them on Tuesday 20th May 2025; more information on this will be supplied nearer the time.

Band Rehearsals

Band rehearsals begin the week commencing Tuesday, 29th April. As always, there will be timetable changes and we all must do our best to accommodate them. I will be asking the tutors about student availability this week, so as to help compile the band rehearsal timetable.

I-Play Music Concert and Presentation Awards  

The I-Play Music Concert and Presentation Awards (CAPA) will be different this year. The emphasis will be on top level performances.

For some time now I have been thinking about entering I-Play Music Collective for the MOBO Awards. If we are to be in the running as the most talked about new band on the horizon, we have to produce quality musical artists, who are ready for the next chapter. 

In order for this to manifest, changes for improvements need to be made. And for improvements to occur, all must except inevitable changes. We need to operate on a different level starting today.

The music industry is tough. Imagine how many people you have to be better than, in order to be successful in becoming a musician or a singer. It’s a bit like achieving 100 out of 100 marks at Grade 8!

To begin with, there will be fewer bands this year but each band will be able to play more than two songs each. A number of performers will be self-named artists and bands to be named later in the rm, will support that artist. It is really important to speak of our students as artists at this stage, so to empower individuals. The concept will be decided on by IPM SLT in our next meeting.

To clarify. Where a student has proven themselves in performance skills  during the previous two terms, they will be encouraged to perform a specific song or two, senior students will work closely with tutors to assist as ‘session’ musicians.

This Week’s Learning Platform!

(From last term).

Duolingo’s New Music Platform will teach you the basics of playing tunes. It’s been seven long months since the rumours first cropped up but Duolingo has finally released Music courses to its education platform.

Duolingo Music, as it’s called, will teach you the basics of playing music through the help of a digital keyboard on your iPhone. You don’t need to own an instrument. The lessons teach the names of each individual note and where they’re “located on a piano.” From there, Duolingo will show you how to read music and then "translate what you or hear" into songs. It'll eventually all coalesce into you learning how to play a full song. The courses will even take the time to “train your ear” so you can distinguish specific notes and tell whether they’re high-pitched or low. 

Best Music Learning Platforms

For beginners looking to learn the basics of music, several platforms offer comprehensive and user-friendly resources. Here are some of the best music learning platforms that cater to foundational skills:

• Fender Play: Ideal for beginners, Fender Play offers structured video lessons for guitar, bass, and ukulele. The platform provides a series of well-produced video lessons that build upon each other, making it easy to progress at your own pace.5

• Yousician: This interactive app is perfect for self-motivated learners. It offers gamified lessons for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and singing, providing instant feedback as you play. The app's game-like interface makes learning fun and engaging.5

• musictheory.net: This site is invaluable for students who need a strong foundation in music theory. It offers clear explanations and interactive practice tools, including lessons on reading sheet music, understanding scales, and chord ear training.45

• Simply Piano: Designed for both beginners and those looking to brush up on their piano skills, Simply Piano is user-friendly and makes learning piano fun and engaging. The lessons adapt to your pace and skill level, ensuring a personalized learning experience.5

• Ableton’s Free Learning Music: This platform is perhaps the most comprehensive beginner’s guide to experiential music learning. It covers foundational elements of music, from identifying sounds to arranging chord progressions, making it a great starting point for new musicians.8

• Teoria: Perfect for students who need to supplement their music theory education, Teoria offers practical exercises and detailed explanations. It is a great resource for building a strong foundation in music theory.5

These platforms provide a variety of tools and resources to help you learn the basics of music, whether you are interested in playing an instrument, understanding music theory, or both. The following link will take you to Wired where you can find out more… https://www.wired.com/story/best-music-apps-and-services/