John D Williams, the author of the VJG, demonstrates that this free software, originally designed for supporting teaching and learning at KS3, can be used in a wider range of contexts, including KS2 and in Special Schools.
Gamelan music has long been an ideal vehicle for mixed ability teaching in the secondary music curriculum. However, many schools have been limited in their exploration by lack of access to instruments and resources. The Virtual Javanese Gamelan, is freely available from www.wcsmusic.org.uk and enables listening, performing and composing to take place, using highly quality sampled sounds, from a regular PC or Mac workstation without MIDI peripherals. The resource was developed in order to support NC Music at KS3, but since its launch in January 2005, it has been used widely in all phases of education, from nursery to FE. This project looks at some approaches that are suitable for these wider contexts.
Watch out for further content to be added to this resource during the Autumn. In the meantime, watch the video walkthrough...
