Thread: iPod limitations for classroom use?

Up until now, the only thing I've used my iPod for is to load it up with non-belly dance music to listen to just for fun while driving around in my car. I really, REALLY like it for that because I don't have to deal with the 65- or 80-minute limit that a music CD can hold.

This past weekend was the first time I tried to use my iPod as a tool for teaching class. It didn't go so well. Issues I ran into:

• iTunes lets me put a song into a given playlist only once. On music CD's, I've always put the same song back to back a couple of times to allow extended play for drilling. I find this limitation annoying.
• For my Level 1 class, I made 4 playlists - one for warmup, one for general technique work, one for choreography, and one for cooldown. The docking boombox at the studio didn't seem to offer a way to back up out of the current playlist to the playlist menu to let me choose a different playlist. The only way I could find to escape the current playlist was to physically remove the iPod from the dock and use its controls.

The iPod was fine for the Level 2 class where I just had a continuous stream of music to use working on technique.

Based on the above experience, I'm inclined to think that the iPod is fine for cases where it doesn't really matter which song is playing (drills, technique), but it's not so fine for cases where I need to jump around from one song to another as the class shifts from one topic to another.

Have others experienced frustration with iPod limitations?

I haven't had either of those problems!

My version of itunes (old!) lets me repeat a song on a playlist.

The hookup I have through my stereo lets me use my ipod's controls, so I change playlists or songs all the time. And the stereo's remote actually operates my ipod from a distance, which is great for choreo repetitions.

Teacher hipscarves should have a pocket for your remote!

I'm using iTunes 8.0 for mac, and when I tried to drag a track into a playlist twice, it prompted me to make sure I wanted the duplicate. I clicked yes and it put the track in twice.

Perhaps instead of using the docker on the boombox, you could just plug your iPod into the boombox speakers via the earbud jack.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Teacher hipscarves should have a pocket for your remote!

Sounds like a marketable item for you, Lauren -- I'd want one!

Originally Posted by kat

Sounds like a marketable item for you, Lauren -- I'd want one!

Me TOO!!! ..g.:

I use my iPod all the time and the iTunes version I have lets me duplicate tracks (warning me before I do so same as ssipes).

I plug the iPod into the stereo setup and use the iPod controls. I have a smaller docking type speaker but I can still use the iPod controls. (The remote only allows switching between tracks and volume control.) But if your docking setup prevents you from using the controls I can see where that would be very annoying.

I love having so much music at my fingertips, it enables me to switch to a different class plan very quickly if required.

And a hip scarf with a remote control pocket is a grand idea

Originally Posted by ANISAHDANCER

Me TOO!!! ..g.:

Me three! I end up sticking mine in a bra strap.

I also have never has those problems Shira and I now use only my ipod for class. I bought a speaker system to go with that fits in my teaching case and has a remote.

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. Sounds like maybe it's just an issue with the specific boombox at that studio. A while back, I bought my own iPod docking boombox which I haven't used yet, so maybe I need to give the iPod another chance with my own boombox.

My attempt to put the same track in the same playlist twice occurred with an earlier version of iTunes (before version 8), so maybe I need to try again now that I've upgraded to version 8.

You can select to Repeat One, Repeat All or Repeat Off in the Settings on your iPod (rather than on iTunes... I don't think if you have set a song to repeat on iTunes that it will also repeat on your iPod... I believe the settings are independent, but I could be wrong!).

I also have not had any problems switching playlist either, but my iPod connects to the studio stereo through an audio cable so it is still free to use the scroll wheel.

you have the ipod ipod or ipod nano? i use ipod nano and i create ''on-the-go" playlist with the ipod nano itself (instead of using itunes) and can put same songs more than one time. it's great because you can always change your mind last minute and create new playlist right before your class! don't know if different kinds of ipods have the same function.

on my nano, there's a "on-the-go" list with no song in it at the end of the "playlist". just select it and there's info on how to make a new list.

ipod is great! don't give up on it yet xx

Here's another tip - use your 'genres' as extra music catergories. You can overwrite genre to be anything you like, so I have generic categories like 'medium speed', 'taxim', 'saidi', 'drum solo'. I then make playlists for particular performances, classes or other categories such as 'veil work', 'term 3 choreographies', 'school workshop', 'Gig xyz' etc.

The genres I've created are very useful when I want a particular style or speed or type of music but don't really care what song it is (say I want to practice 3/4 shimmies and need something 'medium speed', or need some 'saidi' for cane practice).

I still don't think anyone's developed the perfect portable iSpeakers - I find the ones that are loud enough for a big room are too heavy to lug around comfortably. Come on technology, keep up!

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Here's another tip - use your 'genres' as extra music catergories. You can overwrite genre to be anything you like, so I have generic categories like 'medium speed', 'taxim', 'saidi', 'drum solo'. I then make playlists for particular performances, classes or other categories such as 'veil work', 'term 3 choreographies', 'school workshop', 'Gig xyz' etc.

Woah. Super helpful advice!

I have a playlist on my iPod called "Bellydance library" which is basically all the ME music I see fit to carry around with me, but it never occurred to me to further classify the music into descriptive types like tempo or style. Thanks, jewel!

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Here's another tip - use your 'genres' as extra music catergories. You can overwrite genre to be anything you like, so I have generic categories like 'medium speed', 'taxim', 'saidi', 'drum solo'. I then make playlists for particular performances, classes or other categories such as 'veil work', 'term 3 choreographies', 'school workshop', 'Gig xyz' etc.

That is awesome. I don't have an iPod but I do have a Zune so I will have to look and see if I can't mess with that.

Originally Posted by veritate

Woah. Super helpful advice!

I have a playlist on my iPod called "Bellydance library" which is basically all the ME music I see fit to carry around with me, but it never occurred to me to further classify the music into descriptive types like tempo or style. Thanks, jewel!

LOL -- I wish I were still that ecclectic. 90% of the music on my ipod is my bellydance library, it's divided up into at least 50 playlists!!

For myself, I have maybe 20 playlists like:
Entrances
* Drum Solos
* all my restaurant sets (I keep those for 6 months so I don't repeat myself, and indicate what costume I wore in the playlist name, like 'aya sofia Aug leopard hannan')
* Solo contenders
* New Stuff (anything I've recently downloaded that I want to spend time with)
* Classics
* Folkloric

For teaching, I have some 30 playlists like this:
* Drilling (several versions, each includes a warmup and cooldown track plus songs with steady rhythms)
* Saidi (has plain rhythm tracks, the music I teach choreos to, and other)
* Maksoum
* 2/4 rhythms
* Instruments (taxims by all the various instruments)
* Textured shimmies


I guess I'm kinda anal, but it reallly helps me to be organized for class!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

LOL -- I wish I were still that ecclectic. 90% of the music on my ipod is my bellydance library, it's divided up into at least 50 playlists!!

For myself, I have maybe 20 playlists like:
Entrances
* Drum Solos
* all my restaurant sets (I keep those for 6 months so I don't repeat myself, and indicate what costume I wore in the playlist name, like 'aya sofia Aug leopard hannan')
* Solo contenders
* New Stuff (anything I've recently downloaded that I want to spend time with)
* Classics
* Folkloric

For teaching, I have some 30 playlists like this:
* Drilling (several versions, each includes a warmup and cooldown track plus songs with steady rhythms)
* Saidi (has plain rhythm tracks, the music I teach choreos to, and other)
* Maksoum
* 2/4 rhythms
* Instruments (taxims by all the various instruments)
* Textured shimmies


I guess I'm kinda anal, but it reallly helps me to be organized for class!

Now that I think about it, I do have a few other playlists going on my iPod like you've mentioned here:

• One for diva parties that has a nice flow of slow beats and "exotic" sounds
• One for "solo contenders", as you say - pieces that capture my imagination that I may want to work on and perfect as solo pieces
• An on-the-go playlist of songs that I need to focus on at the moment - particular upcoming troupe choreographies that I need to review.
• A playlist of all the troupe choreography pieces I know, so that when I want to review them, I have them at my finger tips.

I was reluctant to ever buy an iPod because I just didn't see the need for one. And then I started getting serious about the dance. And when my hubby asked if I wanted one I thought about it a bit and finally admitted that yes, an iPod might be "kinda' nice"...

And now I don't know how I lived without it!

Here's something else cool, too - you can store your choreography notes or song words in the song on your iPod, and scroll through them at will! Here's how (on Windows):

In iTunes, right click on the song you want. Choose 'Get Info', then the 'Lyrics' tab. It comes up with a blank field which is designed to store lyrics - get typing! You can also write your choreo notes in here instead.

On your iPod, select that song, then keep hitting the centre button until the choreo/lyric notes come up. Very handy if you're teaching and can't remember your own choreo!

(You can also add artwork in iTunes by right-clicking on the song and selecting the 'Artwork' tab - you can import or drop-and-drag photos or whatever. Mind you, it takes up lots of memory.)

With categories, you can create folders - that is, you can organise your categories with sub-categories. I've done that now I've got so many. You organise them in iTunes. So I have 'Performances' as a category, then under that I have playlists for various shows, such as '10 min party' or the name of a specific gig. The only minor poop is you can't see on your iPod that a category has sub-categories under it - you just have to remember your own filing system.

How do I use 'On-The-Go'? All I know is somehow, if I keep updating my iPod, I can end up with multiple 'On-The-Go' playlists wasting space with nothing in them!!!

OMG! Lauren that is a great idea! I would love a hip scarf or belt with a pocket for a remote! And someday a headset so I don't have to speak so loud!

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Here's something else cool, too - you can store your choreography notes or song words in the song on your iPod, and scroll through them at will!

(You can also add artwork in iTunes by right-clicking on the song and selecting the 'Artwork' tab - you can import or drop-and-drag photos or whatever. Mind you, it takes up lots of memory.)

With categories, you can create folders - that is, you can organise your categories with sub-categories. I've done that now I've got so many. You organise them in iTunes. So I have 'Performances' as a category, then under that I have playlists for various shows, such as '10 min party' or the name of a specific gig. The only minor poop is you can't see on your iPod that a category has sub-categories under it - you just have to remember your own filing system.

Wow, thanks for all these tips! You've given me a lot of ideas!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I haven't had either of those problems!

..... Teacher hipscarves should have a pocket for your remote!

Look in a local store's travel luggage section and see if they have a money belt or something similar. I have been to workshops where a dancer had a money belt (just a simple one with a rectangular pocket) tied around her waist. She had a small notebook and a pen for making notes on the fly during the workshop but a remote would fit in there too!

I hate to suggest spending more money -- but the remote/dock I bought for my IPOD just plain rocks -- one of the best things I ever bought -- I just love it -- its called a "Tuneview" and its from Keyspan . THis is the Amazon link --[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KHDUVY]Amazon.com: Keyspan TVI-200C TuneView for iPod classic 4G, 5G (Black): Electronics[/ame]

The remote has a screen on it like the IPOD -- so you can see all the choices -- playlists- genres -albums , etc from across the room(actually from way across my house, 3 rooms away) -- no controlling the IPOD blindly -- I cant tell you what a difference this makes -- it will hook up to any stereo -- I can not recommend this enough -- makes life so simple

Originally Posted by lanette

I hate to suggest spending more money -- but the remote/dock I bought for my IPOD just plain rocks -- one of the best things I ever bought -- I just love it -- its called a "Tuneview" and its from Keyspan . THis is the Amazon link --Amazon.com: Keyspan TVI-200C TuneView for iPod classic 4G, 5G (Black): Electronics

The remote has a screen on it like the IPOD -- so you can see all the choices -- playlists- genres -albums , etc from across the room(actually from way across my house, 3 rooms away)

Lanette, thanks so much for telling us about this! This looks like a great little device! I just ordered one.