How to Complete a Practice Assignment
Revised 8-15-06

Note - you may complete the assignment using the equipment at school.  However, be sure to sign up for a time to insure a computer is reserved and to complete the assignment ON TIME.

Files are due in the homework folder by 4:00PM on the day they are due.

Assignments turned in late will be penalized one letter grade per day.

Before You Play
First, make sure you have installed Smart Music, have an internal or external microphone, and have activated your subscription online.
Test out Smart Music to make sure it will play and that you can record yourself.
Check the web page for your band class to find out the assignment.  Click here to go to Classes page.
Use Smart Music to practice the assignment.  Click here for TIPS on using Smart Music.
Record yourself playing.  If you make a mistake, delete and record again.

Listen to your file before saving
Use the Preview button to listen to your file.
Adjust the balance between the accompaniment and your playing with the sliders.
Your sound needs to be louder than the accompaniment. 

Compress your files using the “Save as .MP3"button
When saving your files, remember to click the "Save as .MP3"  button.
Compressing the file makes it almost 20 times smaller than the original, but the sound quality is still very good.  The files are small enough to email or even to fit on a floppy disk! 
You must use RFA, a floppy disk, or burn a CD to get the files to school.  Emailing mp3 files to your school account is prohibited.

Naming Your Files
Save each exercise in the following format:       

LASTNAME_short-title-of-what-you-play

That means your last name, then a short title of what you are playing.       

EXAMPLES:    Smith_23    -OR-    Jones_District-Solo

Getting your files to my Homework folder
When you have recorded all the exercises, you will need to get them to school and then to my folder on the Homework drive.  Do not email sound files to Mr. Grush

At school, you will need to move your files to my Homework folder on the H: Drive.  If you have made a music CD, you cannot save  directly from CD.  First you must rip (copy) the music from the CD to your U: drive.  Use Windows Media player to do this.  Then, rename the file as specified above.  Finally, copy the file to my homework folder.

Open the H: Drive (Homework). 

*** If you cannot see the H: Drive, email the Help Desk and also let me know.  ***

Open your U: drive.  Drag and Drop the files onto the folder with my name (eric_grush) on the H: drive. You cannot open my homework folder, but you can put files into it.

*** To make sure the files got into my folder and not somewhere else, try putting them in twice.  If you get a message that the files are already there, then you have your answer.