Your students all have unique needs so you need a versatile tool that will support you in nurturing their individual musical growth. That’s why MakeMusic Cloud continues to expand our tools to give you the most flexibility possible!
Our team of educators has come together to share creative ideas on how we would use the new Audio/Video-only Assignments feature. This new feature allows you to craft open-ended, recording-only assignments that do not have to be tied specifically to any MakeMusic Cloud catalog content. We’ve opened up a world of possibilities with this feature and are excited to share some creative ideas with you.
Etude Performance Assignment
- It’s quick and efficient to create an assignment like this: simply write out your clear directions of what a student should perform and within your parameters and remind them to submit their best take of a full run-through performance.
- Tip: Keep a document of your typed assignment parameters that you can copy/paste to reuse for future assignments. Less typing = more time savings!
Prove it: Instrument Maintenance
- Consider an assignment where students video record themselves cleaning their instrument. This could be recurring or as a learning check, especially for those beginners! Plus, your students will have a sparkling-clean instrument!
- Tip: You can provide written comment feedback on assignment submissions (like, “don’t forget to empty the spit valve!”). Be sure to demonstrate how to check for this feedback during class so that students know how to find it and react to it.
Solo Auditions
- Or any audition process! Collect audition submissions via MakeMusic Cloud assignments. With no ties to the music catalog required, this is ideal for a leadership/drum major audition situation, jazz solos, vocal features, and more!
Scale Play Down
- Have a fundamental or technique exercise that students have already learned but you want them to keep polished up? Audio/Video-only assignments are ideal for maintenance tasks like this when the red/green instant feedback isn’t as essential. Consider a “Weekly 12 Major Scales” or “Daily Routine” assignment that students can record and submit on a recurring basis. You are creating good habits and automating your processes at the same time!
Performance Make-Up
- Consider this option for students who miss a public performance. Students can perform their pieces for an audience of your choice (family, pets, etc) and submit the recording to you this way. Use the instructions space to detail what they should play and, if appropriate, how you will grade their submission.
Practical Practice Log
- Have you ever told students to “spend 10 minutes tonight working on xyz section” of a piece of music? Assigning a “10 minute practice block” can be a great way to hold students accountable and detail the “what” they should be practicing while you will be able to gain insights into the “how” they are practicing. When done consistently, you can establish expectations of positive practice habits and identify practice improvements that your students may need to have reinforced by you during class time.
Personal Best Submission
- Ask students to record 30 seconds of something they feel proud of—they will naturally self reflect and you will gain valuable insights when reviewing submissions.
You’re the Teacher
- Ask students to take the teacher seat and record themselves teaching you something while pretending you don’t know anything about the topic at hand. Consider topics like: bow hold, rhythm counting, instrument care, details about a composer or piece, and more!
Missing FlipGrid?
- Favorite assignments you came back to year after year with the former FlipGrid or similar tools can be easily replicated directly in your MakeMusic classes to keep things streamlined and simple.
Get Started Today
Ready to start creating assignments without limits? Find the new + Create button in the main menu from the left side of your Home screen.
Then, select the Record Audio/Video option.
Start creating today! https://home.makemusic.com/teach