GETTING STARTED
Spring, 2008
INTRODUCTION
These pages have been designed to help students in the Lovett String Orchestra
Program do at-home practice with virtual playing partners who both play parts for
them and play along with them. Requirements for use of the site include a
computer (preferably a multimedia machine) with sound capability, an Internet
connection, and an Internet browser that includes MIDI-playback capability.
Recent versions of the most popular browsers have that capability. Typically,
the playback function activates automatically after a MIDI (sound) file is downloaded. On most recent editions
of browsers, initial playback begins without prompting from the user, but the
virtual control panel on the video screen allows the user to stop, rewind,
fast-forward, re-play, and adjust volume by use of the mouse. If possible, the
computer's audio output should be interfaced to a stereo amplifier with
speakers unless the computer has a substantial sound system of its own.
WHAT IS HERE
The MIDI file for each piece includes an
accompanying click to give the student a beat to follow. The initial beat of
each measure is accentuated, and an empty measure at the beginning provides a
count-in. Students are encouraged to work with their virtual partners and the
virtual full orchestra (labeled "Full Score" in the selection menu),
using their written parts, until they, the students, can play their parts with
precise rhythmic accuracy and in tune. Students should understand that the
virtual practice partner and orchestra are for use AFTER they've learned their
parts by reading them and going over them in class, and that those aids are NOT
designed to help them learn their parts by ear.
This site also
contains MIDI files for use in tuning
instruments. Tuning from this site is essential, since the student's instrument
might otherwise not be in tune with the virtual playing partner. Tunings are
accessible from a separate page (see links below). String pitches are raised by
tightening the strings (turning the pegs away from you with the instrument
facing you) and lowered by loosening the strings (turning the pegs toward you).
AVOID LARGE TIGHTENING TURNS ON THE PEGS, AS THEY CAN RESULT IN BROKEN STRINGS.
Before tightening a string to bring up its pitch, first loosen the peg by
turning it toward yourself, then turn it away from you
to tighten it. Precise tuning is achieved with the fine tuners. Those are
the small screws on the tailpiece, where the strings connect near the bottom of
the instrument. Turning a fine tuner to the right raises the pitch of its
string, while turning it to the left lowers the pitch.
NAVIGATING
The Lovett Orchestra Practice Pages are connected by links. Pointing
at and clicking on a link will take the user to the indicated page.
Links connecting pages are in bold print, are color-coded, and are underscored.
Pitches for
tuning are accessible from links on the tuning page (see first link below), and
individual parts download automatically via
their links on the selection page (see second link below).
Please proceed,
using the links.
I need
to tune my instrument to this site.
I've recently
tuned from this site. I need to select a part.
.