by John | Nov 30, 2011 | Instructor Training, iTunes & Spotify Training, Spotify
I learned something really important about Spotify this past Saturday morning. If your iPhone battery goes dead you will need to log in again before it works. Not a big problem… unless it's 3 minutes until your class is supposed to start and you can't remember your user name and password 🙁
Enter the rescue CD you have stashed at each club where you teach – or switch over to iTunes.
You do have a rescue CD backup music plan… don't you [wlm_firstname]?
But I digress…
The real purpose for this post was to show you that I have links to all the Spotify tutorials now on one page so they are easier to find – www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/spotify or you will find it under Resources > Help With Spotify in the navigation above.
It was actually funny watching the Instructor who followed me, cursing his iPhone… “I just charged this %@#$ thing”
“Would you like to use my CD?”
“Thanks” … “would you mind leaving your video too?”
“Sure.”
by John | Aug 20, 2011 | iTunes & Spotify Training, Spotify
In this post about transferring Spotify music and PRO/Playlists to your iPod – Droid or other wireless enabled device, I explained that there is no other option to move music from Spotify, other than through a shared wireless connection. Your USB cord won't work with Spotify – except to move your existing music to a conventional iPod.
The flaw in all this is assuming that everyone has a shared wireless network to work from… but what if you don't?
Skip your computer completely and download PRO/Playlists directly to your device is actually very easy for ICI/PRO members with a Spotify Premium account 🙂
Here's what to do:
- Open your Internet browser on your device
- Go to www.indoorcycleinstructor.com and log-in to your PRO member account.
- In the top navigation go to Instructor Training > Audio PROfiles and you will see the list of all the available PROfiles.
- Open the Audio PROfiles of your choice and scroll down and click the link “Here's your Spotify PRO/Playlist”
- It will open a page asking “Already have Spotify?” which you will tap.
- Spotify will open the PRO/Playlist and you can stream it instantly.
- I suggest you toggle the “Available Offline” slider to “YES” and wait until each track is downloaded before using it in your class.
Here's where you can find a listing of all my posts about iTunes and Spotify training.
by John | Aug 17, 2011 | Instructor Training, iTunes & Spotify Training, Spotify
ICI/PRO member Joanne asks:
I did get the link to download onto my iPod…..and the damn thing downloaded all my songs on my computer, so I now have all my playlists on the iPod, which is now totally maxed. It seems like whenever I plug in, I automatically hook up to both itunes and Spotify, so there is no room for the nice new ICPRO playlists…
I see a number of questions here so let me start with what I found initially confusing about Spotify:
1) There is a distinct difference, as it relates to Spotify, between an iPod and an iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad. Spotify's service is only available on devices with wireless Internet access. Conventional iPods do not offer wireless so they will not work with Spotify. Here is a list of supported devices.
Where I got confused is if you click on the devices tab in Spotify it shows an option to connect your iPod.
I wish they didn't even show this option. This function will only replicate what iTunes does and will only transfer the existing music you have on your computer. It cannot transfer PRO/Playlists or other music from Spotify to your iPod.
2) The second part of this question goes to a setting in Spotify that decides what music is synced to your wireless device.
- Connected your device to the same wireless network as your computer.
- Open Spotify on your computer.
- Open the Spotify App on your device – it took me two days to figure out I needed to do this 🙁
- You should see your device listed like this:
Click on your devises listing and you will see the option to select Sync all music or Manually Sync. You want to select Manual (there isn't any Save button)
Now you can select which tracks or playlists you would like to copy to your device.
I'm here to help you 🙂
Simply send me an email or feel free to call me with questions 612-868-0064 or Skype john.macgowan1
One last thing so I'm clear; Spotify music & PRO/Playlists will only transfer between your computer and device through a wireless connection. There is no other option to connect your device – the USB cord will not work – you must be connected to a wireless network.
by John | Aug 13, 2011 | iTunes & Spotify Training, Music, Spotify
Crowdsourcing is the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to an undefined, large group of people or community (a “crowd”), through an open call. From Wikipedia.
The ICI/PRO Top 210 Indoor Cycling Songs list is an excellent example of crowdsourcing. Over 150 Instructors contributed their favorite songs. We compiled them into one big list that's been enjoyed by thousands* of Indoor Cycling Instructors around the world. *The pdf has been downloaded over 4,000 times. In this instance of crowdsourcing, we all benefited from learning (hearing) different music tastes from other Instructors.
We also benefited in a different way; each song that was submitted had been sampled/reviewed/tested by someone who shares a common expertise with the rest of us. We benefited [saved time] from the efforts of others. I feel very confident that I could take 12-15 random songs from the Top 210 Songs list, spend 10 minutes rearranging them to fit a profile, and have a usable playlist I could play in class. Why? Because the people who suggested each track are passionate Instructors just like me and you. I can believe in each song because I understand who had suggested it.
Music services like iTunes, emusic and Spotify boast of having millions of songs. Do you have time to sample even a tiny fraction of them? Of course not… but what if I combined my efforts with yours? And then we combined our efforts with hundreds of other ICI/PRO members?
This could be the beginning of something very cool 🙂
Enter Collaborative Playlists in Spotify
As simple as Right Clicking and Select Collaborative Playlist
Here's a link to a collaborative playlist I've started for favorite High School Rock songs.
PRO/Playlist High School Rock Songs for Climbing
You already need to have Spotify installed on your computer or smart phone to open this link. Once you see it on your computer you can add some of your own favorites from when you were in high school.
And like magic, the songs you added will show on here on my computer… and everyone elses 🙂
The potential for us to collaborate is endless.
Let me know your ideas.
by John | Aug 10, 2011 | iTunes & Spotify Training, Music, Spotify
I'm excited to hear from all the new and existing ICI/PRO members taking advantage of our new PRO/Playlists by opening premium Spotify accounts.
With anything new there is always a bit of a learning curve. A number of you have submitted some great questions. Many I had myself when I first began using Spotify. I thought it would be helpful if I posted them, along with the answers, here for others to learn from.
Basic questions:
- How do I get an invite to the free version of Spotify? I'm all out. You can submit your email and they will send you one in a few days or so.
- Do I need to wait if I'm willing to become a Premium subscriber? No – you get in instantly.
- What do I need in order to use the PRO/Playlists on my iPhone 0r Android? You need a Premium Spotify account ($9.99pm) and the free Spotify app for your hand held device. Access m.spotify.com with your phone’s browser to download the app… or go here.
- Can I get the Podcast and Audio PROfiles on Spotify? No – you will still use iTunes for now.
- Can I burn a CD of the PRO/Playlists? No, like any of the other streaming services the music will only play from your computer or device.
- So no MixMeister seamless playlists? Correct. I do recommend that you use Spotify to explore and sample music because it's so fast. You can create and experiment with your new playlist before actually purchasing the MP3s.
Accessing the PRO/Playlists
- I can't find the PRO/Playlists in Spotify, where are they? PRO/Playlists are only available to ICI/PRO Platinum – Yearly members. Every Audio PROfile includes a link to download that specific PRO/Playlist.
- I clicked the link, but I don't see the PRO/Playlist… where did it go? Open Spotify first. Then click the link and go back to Spotify where you will see the PRO/Playlist.
- I'm currently a Monthly member, how do I upgrade? You can save money by upgrading here. Then send me an email so we can cancel your monthly subscription.
Using Spotify
- I have a Premium Spotify account but my device (iPhone – Android) isn't showing on my Desk Top. Spotify is designed to be used with your wireless network (no wires – very cool) and here is all you need to do:
- If you haven't yet, install the appropriate app for your device.
- Open the app and log in. If your device and computer are on the same wireless network your devise will show in the sidebar on your desktop. The app must be open on your device before it will show on your computer.
- I can't open the Spotify playlists in iTunes? Spotify does not use iTunes. Spotify is completely separate and uses the app on your iPhone or Android phone to play the music.
- I have my iPhone on Airplane mode when I teach. How do I use the Off-Line mode? You can set any Spotify playlist to Off-Line so all the music files will be on your device. Simply open the playlist you want available Off-Line and change this setting. You will need to wait for everything to download. Spotify displays a green badge showing which playlists you have set to Off-Line.
Leave a comment with any other questions you have.
by John | Aug 7, 2011 | Instructor Training, iTunes & Spotify Training, Music, PRO/Playlists, Spotify
We work hard here at ICI/PRO… so you don't have to 🙂
As a special treat for all our ICI/PRO members, we have assembled our Top 210 Indoor Cycling Songs as a One Click PRO/Playlist.
Our Top Indoor Cycling Class Music lists was a dream of Barbara Hoots and they have become the most popular free items we have ever offered. Now instead of wading through iTunes you can have this list as soon as you join Spotify.
Important note: Spotify only works with a wireless enabled device (iPhone, iPod Touch or Droid phone) using the Spotify App. It is completely separate from iTunes.
Spotify music can not be transferred to a conventional iPod. The iPod function offered in Spotify will only transfer the music you already have on your computer – replacing the normal iTunes function – and in the process it will replace everything you currently have on your iPod.
There are three ways to join Spotify;
- Receive an invitation link from a friend – I have a bunch – email me and I will send you one.
- Visit this page, submit your email and wait for them to send you an invitation.
- Join Spotify as a Premium subscriber. It's only 9.99 a month and you can join for only a month or two if you want.
No, I don't benefit from you becoming a Spotify Premium Subscriber. I simply see Spotify as the perfect compliment to your ICI/PRO membership. The amount of time you save using PRO/Playlists should easily off-set the $10 a month cost.
