For songs that are not in the SM library (many pop songs for example), I still use SM classic just for the ability to play uploaded MP3s and control the tempo for sightreading.
I would love the ability to upload MP3s into the new SM. Might need to be able to access the MP3 from a google drive or a dropbox since it is web-based and not saved on a hard drive.
Yes! I agree! ... As vast as the SM library is, we still play many numbers for our concerts that are not in the SM library. I count on mp3 uploads heavily for my students to learn these pieces. Also, I love all the features of the on-screen music, but feel it's valuable for students to sometimes read their own music while just listening to the accompaniment. It takes a greater skill than following along with the curser. Please consider this. Right now, about 2/3 of what we play is not in the library. It would not make sense for me to switch over without this feature. Mahalo!!
the inability to upload mp3 files creates a huge "hole" in the functionality of SmartMusic for my students. I've purchased a full (Classic) subscription for each of my students every year so they have access to the entire library without needing a specific assignment from me, but for many of the ways we use SmartMusic (marching band music prep, concert and solo pieces not in the library, etc.) not being able to upload a recording for students to work with makes me question why I switched from Classic for this year.
This is BIG. You should fix it.
I was extremely disappointed to find that several of the most common festival quality vocal solo books were not in the New Smart Music library, although they had been in the Classic SmartMusic library. The ability to upload MP3's so my students had at least SOMETHING to practice with would be huge, and make up for the big deficit in the new SmartMusic library.
Yet another thing the "New and Improved Smart Music" lacks. Why did I beg my PTA to pay $1000 for my students to have this program when it clearly wasn't even ready to be rolled out yet? Disappointed that they haven't addressed so many issues when the threads for issues and features that Classic Smart Music provided have gone on for over a year.
Being able to upload mp3's and use them for assignments is a must for me. The material for improvisation is extremely limited in SmartMusic. Uploading my own backing tracks is a key feature I use all the time. When you incorporate that feature into the new SmartMusic, I'll have no problem upgrading. Without the mp3 feature, SmartMusic is very limiting.
Unfortunately, after two years and only a handful of requests, I feel the MP3 feature is destined to die when the classic version does. From extended scale exercises to improvisation exercises, I routinely create my own backing tracks and import those into SmartMusic for my student's assignments. Without the MP3 feature in SmartMusic, I would have to create another workflow to help my students that would not include SmartMusic.
The other troubling thing is that I have not heard or read anything from SmartMusic or MakeMusic about adding the MP3 feature to the "New" SmartMusic. Perhaps it is technically impossible on a web-based application. I don't know and no one seems to be addressing the issue.
I feel your pain! I asked about it 2 years ago when the web based version came out. The web based version lacked all the bells and whistles that I love about the classic version. I understand that it takes time to create an application, but they probably should have held off to release the web based version until it was more complete. I too used the mp3 function. I have since quit requiring my students to use Smartmusic. I only use the director's classic version for class. I went to using Google Classroom for my students to complete assessments. I simply upload an .mp3 and they can play along and record themselves on any device....which was another thing two years ago. They marketed that the web based Smartmusic could be used on any device, but that wasn't the case. It only worked on computers and Ipads. No mobile phones or android devices. That may have been solved, but like I said, I haven't used that version since after the 1st year it was released. I wish they would have just taken the classic version and made it accessible on all devices.
This is ESPECIALLY needed for Percussion Ensemble class. I use SmartMusic for all my classes, but for Percussion Ensemble, I haven't really felt the desire, nor have my students. With the Classic version, I could download the Mp3s and the students could practice their parts with the music recordings. I loved the fact that they could control the tempo of the recordings. PLEASE BRING BACK THIS FEATURE TO THE NEW SMARTMUSIC!!!
I have to agree with Eric. I have used SM since release. (I am an old guy). About 90% of what we play is not in the SM library and more than likely will never be. Perc ens, Marching Band, New releases, etc...So the "request for it to be added" is not a fix to this issue. I understand it may be a storage issue but in this day and age storage is virtually free. PLEASE put back in mp3 importing. Especially since you are retiring classic smartmusic. As the department chair of our district who pays for a membership for all music students, I will not renew our district unless mp3 importing is put back in the new smartmusic.
Hey Jonathan,
I quit purchasing SM for my students too. I just purchase a classic teacher version for me. I now use Google Classroom to assess students. I upload the mp3 accompaniment track into the assignment and have them attach a recording of themself playing the exercise. I liked the assessment feature of SM, but this is a work around that you and your students can easily use. I can't believe that we are still talking about this function not being in the new SM. The first post was 3 years ago.
On Classic SmartMusic, I used MP3 files for auditions and make-up assignments. I could download a sound file, have students sing with the sound file and record it for me to listen to at a later time. This was great for choir auditions(ear training and prepared pieces, etc) and make-up assignments(students sang with a recording of the concert in real time). The new SmartMusic does not have this ability and it's very frustrating. Could you please add this feature. Thank you, Richard Moses
Richard, it's nice to see your post. Unfortunately, if you've been following the tread of this conversation, you will see that it started 3 years ago. I hope that I'm wrong, but when the Classic version dies in August 2020, that will be the end of sending assignments with an mp3 attachments. Personally, if the web-based version does not add the mp3 feature, SmartMusic is not functional for the way I teach.
Bruce Mishkit
Richard, I hear you and I agree. Everything I do, from extended scale exercises to jazz improv, is via prerecording backing tracks. I'm just not too confident that the folks at SmartMusic think it is an important feature or maybe it is just not technically possible in a web-based app. I'm not sure which. In any case, we will all find out in August. Maybe we'll be surprised!
Bruce Mishkit
I used the classic for many years and loved the accomp. feature. I would download them and use them for recitals. I liked that I could slow down the Suzuki music for teaching purposes, alter the repeats, loop, use accomp or only the melody, I also would upload other mp3s and slow them down for practice and use for performances.
I will continue with the classic, but NOW I find out that the classic is not useable on my new ipadOS 13.1.3. Is it rocket science to upgrade the classic so we can use it until you get the NEW program upgraded???
