Mr. Parsons’ Music Quests
Hi, I’m Chris Parsons!
I’m a singer, songwriter, musician, and music educator, and I teach elementary music in Southern Illinois. I’ve been teaching for over a year now, but I’ve been playing and writing music for nearly 30 years.
I’m a music lover who loves creating music I can call my own. I grew up playing trumpet in the school band, but I found my place on the bass guitar. Bass is my primary instrument, and I also play guitar and piano, sing, and perform. I’m the bassist for the band Apocalypstic out of Marion, Illinois, and I’m currently working on my master’s degree in music education.
Why I Started Music Quests
I saw a hole in teaching. I wanted to create music lessons for the iPad generation, turning the classroom smartboard into something that feels more familiar to them: the tablet.
What already existed didn’t give my students enough, and fun activities alone weren’t holding on to what appeals to today’s music students. Beat Bots is a fun, character-driven way to focus on rhythm and get real practice reading, following, and creating rhythm patterns.
My goal is for kids to find a music education resource they feel belongs to them, one that teaches them without them even knowing they’re being taught.
How I Use It in My Classroom
I use the videos as a weekly rhythm exercise. The app works as a classroom activity that can be played in turns, so every student gets to participate one at a time, or with everyone involved at once.
What’s Next
There are many more quests on the way, each focusing on a different music topic, from solfege all the way to ledger lines.
Contact Us
Teachers, parents, or anyone with questions or ideas: I’d love to hear from you!
Kids, please ask a grown-up before sending a message.