MakeMusic has announced the release of SmartMusic 2012. The latest version of the interactive music software for band, orchestra and voice delivers a first in interactive music software with the functionality to guide and assess instrumental sight reading and vocal sight singing, including warm-ups, exercises and method books, says MakeMusic CEO Karen van Lith.
Now, vocalists and vocal teachers have access to the same assessment and practice tools that instrumental programs have always enjoyed with SmartMusic, she says. SmartMusic 2012’s technology enables vocal teachers to provide individualized instruction by sending, tracking and grading assignments for each student.
SmartMusic provides vocal students with an immediate assessment, displaying the notes performed correctly in green and the notes performed incorrectly in red. In addition, students can record and listen to each of their performances. New vocal repertoire ranges from warm-ups and exercises (Building Beautiful Voices and SmartMusic Vocal Exercises) to methods (Sing at First Sight, Level 1; Patterns of Sound; and 90 Days to Sight Reading Success).
In addition, students can prepare for auditions and contests with more than 2,000 of the most requested vocal solos on state contest lists. A virtual piano keyboard provides starting pitches and aids in vocal warm-ups.
In addition, SmartMusic 2012 provides instrumentalists with tools and assessment to build sight-reading skills, which is a requirement in many states. SmartMusic now includes 39 of the most popular method books (including Essential Technique 2000 [Hal Leonard], Sound Innovations for String Orchestra Book 2 [Hal Leonard], String Basics [Kjos]), more than 2,700 band and orchestra titles and thousands of solos and practice exercises to its ever-growing music library.
SmartMusic 2012 is a free download for all current customers. Details about downloading the update, and purchasing a SmartMusic subscription, can be found at http://www.smartmusic.com .