Until recently, the demands on memory made by music programmes on computers meant that they clogged up all but the most sophisticated of machines. However, those days are gone and the range of computerised facilities available at very low cost is mind-numbing. You can:

• turn your computer into a sophisticated multi-track recording studio. This requires a basic programme such as 'Audacity' (available to download free) and as good a microphone as you can lay your hands on.
• use loop based programmes such as Acid or Garage Band to compose music based on short loops of sound. These take about an hour to become familiar with and is a direct window onto the world of pop music.
• use the computer as a vehicle for composing a soundtrack to a piece of video. This is something that has opened up possibilities that a few years ago were only possible in the most advanced recording studios.
• store a large variety of music for listening.
• keep cd quality recordings of pupils' work - and give pupils copies of their own music on CD or MP3.