A Little Student Survey

When I decide my studio is going to try something, we really go for it. January has been all about learning to use SoundCloud. It allows me to record a practice tempo for a student, upload it to my private account and share the link by email. The student can easily listen or download the mp3 to their computer or device.

Personally, I think it's brilliant and it seems to me that students all have the gear and the know-how to take advantage of this tool at home. But I thought I should do a little survey to get a better picture of what they can really do.

I have given all of my students a SoundCloud link to their duet or trio for practicing at home. Yes, it's time consuming to create that many mp3s, but I'll do anything for improved practicing. Seriously. I remembered to survey 21 students last week. Here are the results:

Do you have a computer at home?

• Yes - 100%
• No - 0%

Do have itunes on your computer or device?

•  Yes - 90%
•  No (or I don't know) - 10%

Do you buy music with itunes?

• Yes - 57%
• No (don't know how or I don't buy music) - 43%

Do you know how to download music?

• Yes - 81%
• No - 19%

How do you usually listen to your music?

• ipod, ipad, phone, laptop, computer - 71%
• radio, stereo, vinyl - 29%

If I sent you an mp3, could you listen to it and play along at your piano?

• Yes - 95%
• No - 5%

What music do you like to listen to?

• Taylor Swift, One Direction, Country, Adele, classic rock, video game soundtracks, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, no favorites

 How often do you listen to music?

• All the time! - 48%
• A bit or not that much - 52%

Have you heard of SoundCloud?

• No - 95%
• Yes - 5%

Do you play music from CDs?

• No - 71%
• Yes - 29%

Do you use Facebook?

• No (not allowed or doesn't like it) - 67%
• Yes - 33%

Rate how much you used SoundCloud last week.

• Everyday and it was helpful - 62%
• Not much - 38% (all of those 8 students used it a lot on week 2 and you could tell)

I am happy to report that the quality of practicing was significantly better from those students who used their SoundCloud link at home. They came back with accurate notes and rhythm plus a good steady tempo. SoundCloud has rocked my studio! Very nice kiddos.