Late last year I got myself an iPad 2. Since then it has hardly ever left my side. In the classroom I use it to film music performances, keep track of student progress, make resources, plan lessons, play music to students and more.

The great thing about the iPad is that it’s multiple devices rolled into one. Whilst still quite an expensive luxury item, it’s changed a lot about the way I teach in the classroom. I’ve decided to review and list some of the best iOS apps I used in the classroom and write a bit about them. Some are paid, some are free, but it’s worth clicking the links and checking them out.

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(AAC, 17.1MB, 18:02)

The third episode of the Matt Keil Podcast. In this episode:
- Five Extra Revenue Streams for Bands and Musicians
- Review of Rockmate app for iPad

Note: This is an essay I wrote during my University studies and is by no means a definitive guide to this excellent piece. Musical excerpts are for educational purposes only.

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has become one of the most important and influential 20th century composers around. His musical journey throughout his life has been profound, leading him from the fashionable composing techniques in his early years to becoming a leading composer in a style commonly named ‘Holy Minimalism’ or ‘Sacred Minimalism’ similar to composers such as Tavener and Górecki. His early compositions were mostly in a Neo-Classical style influenced by composers such as Shostakovich and Prokofiev, but he soon moved on to using serialism techniques and employing the Twelve-tone system in his work. This however proved unpopular with the Soviet establishment at the time as well as leaving Pärt musically unfulfilled.

I recently blogged comparing digital distribution companies CD Baby and Zimbalam. CD Baby came out on top for me, mainly because they don’t charge annual fee and also because they can help distribute physical copies of your music.

I recently received an e-mail from CD Baby informing me that the price of submitting an album is increasing from $39 to $49. It’s a relatively small increase but I do have some reservations about it.

Yesterday I discussed how the idea of a record label is dead and how more and more artists see the self-released option as a chance to jumpstart their careers. You may be an musician or band contemplating releasing an album or an EP to the masses, be it in digital or physical format. Before you do this there are a number of things to consider before you do this, the first of which is the quality of the product that you re releasing.

Let’s be honest here, if your product is of a poor standard, you’re not likely to have much success with it. But like Art, Music is subjective and there are bound to be many people around the world who like what you do.