Electronics & Music Maker looks to the future by choosing projects that use up-to-date technology and features that inform its readers of the latest developments in electronics and electro-music. Education in its broadest sense is therefore one of the key aspects of this magazine. It is also exciting that it will be read by teachers and pupils alike through its wide circulation in this country and many subscriptions abroad.

The Portable Music Lab

One of the most pleasant rewards of music teaching is to see individual pupils in a class group responding and learning in their own different ways. Many children who do not take to group class singing will nearly always have a go at playing an instrument. But all the pupils in a particular class have to be catered for and this at first seems as unsurmountable problem with large groups of 25 or more children. Nevertheless, once the teacher knows his individual pupils in a group and arranges activities on a rota system from week to week, the practical teaching of a group of six or more pupils can be done effectively even using such instruments as the synthesiser, electric piano or guitar.

I am not assuming that the music teacher knows a lot about electronics, although E&MM should provide plenty of information each month! So once electronic instruments are considered, the problem of operating and maintaining the electronics may put a lot of people off — apart from their lack of sufficient playing ability on the keyboard or guitar.

Synthesisers can be used in the classroom in a number of ways so I'll leave these for a later article and look at a system from America that should offer a ready-made solution to finding enough instruments to go round. Although the initial outlay may be considered high, the long-term benefits of using "real" electronic instruments make it worth the investment. Often area education authorities, rather than individual schools are willing to purchase a music system and allocate them on a temporary basis.

The 'portable music lab' system comes from an American company: Multivox/Sorkin Music Company Inc. They have two music labs — one for guitar and the other, which has only just become available in its up-dated form, for the electronic piano.

Mobile Piano Lab

This is a compact, modular solid state system on a fold-up, roll about table which may be expanded to accommodate a maximum of 18 students. Its design enables the whole unit to be moved around the room and locked away at the end of the day. The electronic pianos have a 61-note keyboard and slide controls for piano/harpsichord sounds plus vibrato and pitch adjustment. The control unit is housed in a free-standing case and puts the teacher in two-way communication with any pupil at the touch of a button. An additional button is provided for reaching all students simultaneously. The instructor's piano and microphone headset are connected directly to the control console. Facilities are also provided for the connection of a cassette tape player or other external source, for programmed learning cassettes, demonstrations, accompaniment, etc.

The system's big advantage is in its potential for providing individual instruction at the level required. In practice, it is advisable for the teacher to explain to the whole group what the Lab is all about and then select reasonably compatible groups of pupils for a general introduction lesson, before beginning to give personal attention to individuals who are perhaps not quite sure of how to proceed. One item that does not seem to be provided is a pupils step-by-step instruction book, so presumably the teacher would have to find a suitable course book.

Guitar Lab

This is similar in concept to the piano lab with a music wagon containing 8 electric guitars, cables, leather straps and picks plus the individual headsets with boom microphone and teacher's control console.