Music performance, editing, and composition (EdTech)

Music performance, editing, and composition technologies are used to create, record, edit, and distribute musical compositions and performances using technology. Musical instruments have long used electronic means to create music (i.e., an electric guitar or piano). However, the field has improved dramatically in the ability to sample, mix, and edit musical compositions with software and digital hardware.

Music is a form of media that relies on non-language sound to produce notes, which are combined into musical compositions. Lyrics can be included with media, making it a communication medium and thus, able to convey information and be used to teach and learn.

Music technologies include:

1. The actual instruments that people play to produce sounds, which can either be recorded and digitally sampled (i.e., put into a computer recording via an analog-to-digital converter or microphone), or connected to a computer directly for recording and digital data input (such as a digital keyboard via a USB cable)
2. Microphones for recording analog instruments, or human singing or vocals
3. Live recording and mixing of multiple performers, through mixing stations and software, as well as live streaming and distribution of performances
4. Controllers for computer-based musical instruments, such as through MIDI control technology
5. Editing and composition software, which allows musicians and producers to mix and engineer digital recordings of musical instruments to create multi-channel compositions
6. Sharing software and sites, which allow for music to be listened to, enjoyed, and shared (e.g., YouTube, Soundcloud)

Musical composition and performance is an important part of the human experience and how people express themselves. By using musical composition and performance in educational settings, learners can have the ability to add musical expression to the media that they use to communicate.

Music isn't just for arts and music departments! Music is, as they say, the universal language!

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