Five apps all beginning music students should have
Five apps all beginning music students should have
Curtis Forbes
March 21, 2017
We know the last thing many parents want is to encourage more screen time, but if they’re going to have screen time let’s make is educational! It’s also a great way to increase their practice time with their instrument. With out further ado, let’s get to the list!
The five apps every beginning music student needs:
Note Rush– This game is a sure upgrade from learning notes via flash cards. Not only must you identify the note, you have to play it on your instrument! It works with transposing instruments like the clarinet or saxophone too. The game is constantly upgraded with new skins for popular holidays to keep your kids engaged.
A Metronome- Most music students despise having to play with a metronome, but the apps can make it more fun. There are many to choose from so try a few. Some look like a traditional metronome, while others have a more modern look. Try to find one (like this) that allows you to change the time signature.
YouTube– Many songs, even those 8-16 measure etudes in your lesson book, can be found on YouTube. Check out some songs your child might like to play in the future, or figure out which styles engage them the most. For younger children, it’s a good idea to use this one with adult supervision. While you’re there, check out our channel.
Music Notes: Decks– This app is similar to traditional flash cards, both for note naming and musical symbols. Two major perks: It will pronounce the musical terms for you so you can make sure you are right and the cards don’t get lost!
Rhythm Cat Pro– A super fun game to work on reading rhythms while reinforcing the concept of a steady beat. It starts simply with quarter notes and adds different note values and rests along the way. Higher levels include different time signatures too! Check out the lite version if you want to give it a try before you buy.
And here are a couple of bonus apps:
A tuner– Not every instrument needs to be tuned before each practice session, so that’s why it’s our bonus app. But if you take guitar or violin lessons, having a tuner is crucial!
Yousician– A fun way to quickly learn tunes and reinforce musical concepts in a game like atmosphere, complete with levels and daily goals! This app works best with piano, guitar, bass and ukulele.
