Below is a collection of music technology tools Mr. Williams uses regularly and recommends to his music students and families. Some are free and others have a small cost associated with them that Mr. Williams believes is worth the cost for the service. Each technology tool has directions or help features included for those not comfortable jumping right in. SmartMusic even includes numerous online video tutorials. 

SmartMusic, and its course management feature - Gradebook, is one of the best tools Mr. Williams have ever used and he strongly recommends all instrumental music students consider an annual subscription.

SmartMusic Software

Mr. Williams recommends all instrumental families subscribe annually to SmartMusic. To learn more or to purchase online, go to www.smartmusic.com. Student assignment grades and written feedback from MrW can be viewed online as well at http://gradebook.smartmusic.com. 

Fire up SmartMusic on your computer. Plug in a vocal or instrumental microphone and begin practicing. Students play or sing their part with accompaniment and receive, in real time on the computer, detailed feedback on their performance. Ideal for woodwind, brass, string, and vocal musicians of all levels.

As a student using SmartMusic:

• Mr. Williams can send assignments to you online.
• You practice exercises and songs from a huge library of music titles.
• You play along with Intelligent Accompaniment®, so you hear your part as it should be with the rest of your musical group.
• SmartMusic listens as you play, giving constant feedback on how well you play.
• Instant help with fingering instructions helps you learn faster.
• Move at your own pace. You control the tempo, key, practice loops, and more.
• You can make a recording of your practice to send back to Mr. Williams for grading. 

MuseScore

MuseScore is a free cross platform WYSIWYG music notation program. A few features:

• WYSIWYG, notes are entered on a "virtual note sheet"
• Unlimited number of staves
• Up to four voices per staff
• Easy and fast note entry with mouse, keyboard or MIDI
• Integrated sequencer and FluidSynth software synthesizer
• Import and export of MusicXML and Standard MIDI Files (SMF)
• Platform independent code, binaries available for Windows, Mac and Linux

Audacity®

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

• Record live audio.
• Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
• Edit MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
• Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
• Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
• And more! See the complete list of features.

Online Metronome

An online metronome ideal for quick and easy use while practicing music, this music tool helps with your rhythm as well as tempo selections and it is always available for free to all students of music at www.metronomeonline.com