Notate from Logotron is a music composition tool that offers a means of exploring and composing music using ICT. Many of the features are kept simple to avoid over complication of the software although the complexity level can be increased. It’s essentially a teaching and learning tool rather than a package to produce printed scores for your next concert but the print option will be perfectly adequate for classroom use.
Notate can be used as a whole class teaching tool and using a projector with whiteboard would be ideal as the display is large and attractive. It could be used in this way to show pupils how to use the program and to teach general concepts such as pitch and tone. It can then be used with pupils working in pairs or alone to explore ideas in more detail. The package comes with pupil and teacher worksheets that are matched to the QCA schemes of work as well as program instructions. Pupils do not have to start from scratch; they could open existing works and then experiment to change instruments or aspects of a composition. The teacher guide is supplied separately to the pupil guide so they can be used independently by the pupils at their workstation.
The software is easy to get to grips with. The interface is clear and accessible and can be set to three levels of difficulty. Although I was unable to use a keyboard to try out
Editing is straightforward and intuitive. Select, copy and paste is as one would expect but there is also a transpose option as well as moving a selection up or down the stave using the arrow keys or edit menu.
One of the examples from the work book requires you to compose some music that creates a mood. Pupils are asked to look at a picture and to express their feelings of the picture through music. They can explore the different textures and timbres of groups of instruments as well as the structure of patterns and phrasing. There is a full range of such activities and more ideas on the website.
To sum up, this is a package that could be used by both non specialist or specialist teachers for beginner students or the more able. There is plenty of scope to encourage creativity and to develop a clearer idea of notation at the same time.
Notate.
Platform –Windows PC
Age range –KS 2/3
Supplier – Logotron /
URL: www.logo.com
Email: info@logo.com
Tel: 01223 425 558
Fax: 01223-425 349
Price £59
from a review published in InterActive
