CML Handbook for Beginning Students

Let’s Get All Students Off to a Good Start!

At Crescendo Music Loft, we use A LOT of technology! And we think it’s so important to have access to this technology that we have employed staff (a.k.a. The Goddess of Gigabytes: Melissa Greenberg) for the sole purpose of helping you get organized and educated in using it.

First, Get Acquainted with My Music Staff

Take me to the video tutorial.

My Music Staff is the music teaching software that manages our schedules, student accounts, billing and online resources. This is where you go to:

• update your contact information
• view your teacher’s schedule and book lessons
• find studio schedules and news
• enter your birthday
• access your personal music files
• access accompaniment tracks

Once you are added as a student, you will receive an email with a link to create a password and finalize your My Music Staff account.  

Next, Let’s Set Up Your Device

Ideally, each student will have a home screen on a computer, iPad, tablet or even a smart phone that is devoted to music apps. As soon as a student can’t find one of these apps, practice times can get shut down. 

We are so dedicated to getting everyone up and running, we would even go so far as to see if we could secure a device for any student who doesn’t have access to one.

For inspiration, check out Sandy’s iPad homescreen:

Apps You Need

Bare Minimum Apps Needed For All Students

My Music Staff

My Music Staff does not have currently have an app, however you should save the link to your Home Screen for quick, easy access.  With Apple devices, open the website, click the share icon and select the option Add to Home Screen. You may need to scroll down to find this option.  You can edit the name as it will appear but take care not to change the URL. 

ProMetronome

The Pro Metronome app will quickly become a reliable friend to any music student. Ted Ervin, our resident Factotum at The Music Loft, wrote a meticulous Blog Post on the ins-and-outs of this invaluable app. 

YouTube

YouTube is where videos of Crescendo Music Loft students will be posted (in either a private or public format), and also where you will find instructional videos from Sandy and playlists to supplement the curriculum.  It is helpful to have a login for YouTube so you can subscribe to the Crescendo Music Loft channel. Check out how to adjust the speed for practice purposes here.

Tenuto

Tenuto

 Play music theory games and gain skill in reading and listening necessary to advance through Crescendo Music System. Desktop version is free, and you can either pay $4 for it to look beautiful through the app, or you can click “web version” every time and use it for free.

BPM Tap

BPM Tap will count any tempo in beats per minute. Sandy talks about BPM here.

Getting oriented with pitches is almost impossible without an external source. Since our curriculum is centered around learning how to use the piano as a tool, having access to a keyboard is essential to quick progress. If you don’t have an actual keyboard or piano, then this website can help you in a pinch.

For Piano Students

PA Player

The app PA Player is a user-friendly tool for any piano student using the Piano Adventures music books. For $4.99/level purchase the Interactive Accompaniments version which includes play-along tracks for the Lesson Book, the Performance Book and Technique & Artistry Book. It’s a no-brainer for the price.  Only certain students will need access to the PA Player app. Check with your teacher before purchasing. 

For Voice Students

Vocal Pitch Monitor

Vocal Pitch Monitor is a straightforward, no frills app that displays the pitch it is receiving from the microphone it is connected to. You can record up to three minutes and save the recording to playback at a later date. In the settings menu you have the option to change the score and colors for easier viewing. 

Sight Reading Factory

Your teacher will tell you when it is time to download Sight Reading Factory.

Pop Up Piano