NoteWorks Note Reading Game
This music education app review is for: NoteWorks
only available for iPad at the time of this review.
Kid/Student Ratings: ****4/5
Teacher/Parent Ratings: *****5/5
Educational Value: Excellent +
Price: $4.99
Recommended: 5 – 11 years (and older players who want to have some fun)
Skills Developed: Note Reading, Note Reading, Note Reading ALL Clefs!!
App Tested on iPad (available for both iPhone and iPad)
Good Stuff about this music ed app: First off, might I say that one can never have enough “learn-your-notes” apps. Seriously. This is just another really, really great one.
Players begin by creating their own profile which allows them to decide if they want to play in ABC, Do Re Mi, or keyboard mode. Then (this is the most awesome part) they get to choose which clef; treble, alto, grand, tenor, bass. You have to admit that’s pretty fancy! Finally, something for the violas, saxophones and trombone (etc) learners. Way to go, developers!
Thee cutest little munchy creature bops out on the screen to get ready to swallow the notes players identify correctly as they come from the note-making factory- scrolling across the screen at a speed YOU get to designate. I am a fan of great sound-effects, and it seems as if there are a bunch of them in this app. Crunch, Munch. :)
Our Wish List: The developers contacted me and let me know that a new version with a bigger keyboard would be in the next update- which is a good thing because within about 30 seconds of playing this app, my first tester came to me and said, “They need to make these keys bigger – my fingers are too fat.” SO glad to know that these developers are right on top of their game and excited to make this app usable and fun (not to mention notably educational). Also, some other feedback I received was that the kids wished there was some sort of indication that they were moving on to a new level. They were expecting some excitement after passing each screen.
My Love: I want to spread the word to the whole wide world that a FUN app with the alto and tenor clefs is here (not to mention the other clefs). Can you hear me singing “Come-And-Get-It!” Love, Love Love.
Summary: All-in-all we feel you should throw away your flash cards… especially if you are a music teacher. Kids will try harder, last longer, and learn more playing this app. Get. It. For. Your. Teaching. Studios. Now.
Purchase NoteWorks on iTunes now for iPad for: $4.99
Have you already downloaded and used this app? Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought! Thanks – Rebecca
Read MoreMusic App Review Here It, Note It
This music education app review is for: Piano Sight Reading HD
Kid/Student Ratings: ***3/5
Teacher/Parent Ratings: ****4/5
Educational Value: Excellent +
Price: $1.99
Recommended: 7 years and up
Skills Developed: Dictation. Be able to place correct notes with counting on staff after hearing the sequence first.
App Tested on iPad (available for both iPhone and iPad)
Good Stuff about this music ed app: I was so happy to hear of this app! I don’t believe there is anything else like it out there. If any of you have ever had to take a dictation class, you’ll love to know that practicing identifying the correct notes with the correct counting has now been made mobile, and in fun form!
In this app you get to listen to the piano play a given sequence of notes. Then, your job is to place the correct notes on the staff WITH the correct counting. When you think you have it right, tap the play button and you’ll get to find out if your musical IQ has increased or decreased. It’s really pretty great.
The students I tested this app with ranged in age from 7 through 20. I’ll be honest, the 7 years olds weren’t thrilled to play for very long, but the older they were the more they were determined to get their IQ higher and higher.
Dictation class in college can be kind of daunting for many students. I’d say this app is a great solution and confidence booster. Play it all month and watch your scores soar!
Our Wish List: I’m not really familiar with IQ numbers so I didn’t know what number I was shooting for while playing this app. It made it hard for me to be motivated to hit a certain number. While this app is really great, it’s a little dry. We felt there needed to be more visual or aural notice that you had completed a round successfully or not. The younger kids especially could not discern if they had truly achieved a right or wrong answer even though you can watch the number change. We think with a little more noise the student rating would have been much higher.
My Love: We really liked how much exposure and control this app gives a player when placing their note on the staff. You get to tap it and it will change from a quarter note to any other type of note you choose, for example. Also, we just plain love that there is a fun way to practice notation from hearing only an aural example. What a great app!! What a great teaching tool!! Good idea, developers!
Summary: All-in-all we feel the skills practiced in this fun app shouldn’t be passed over. Most learning musicians will benefit greatly from working on their musical IQ while playing Hear It, Note It!. It really has a perfect place in the high-tech musical learning world.
**Note that this app was developed by the same team that created one of my all time favorite apps “My Note Games“. It was one of my very first reviews. Loads of updates since then.. it’s gotten even better than it was before! LOVE IT. See “My Note Games” review here. And, listen to the podcast as well. It’s kind of fun to hear the voice behind the app! :)
Purchase Hear It, Note It! on iTunes now for iPad for: $1.99
Purchase Hear It, Note It! on iTunes now for iPhone/Pod for: $1.99
Have you already downloaded and used this app? Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought! Thanks – Rebecca
Read MoreBlob Chorus Music Education App Review
This review is for: Blob Chorus
Kid/Student Ratings: **** 4/5
Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5
Educational Value: Excellent
Price: $FREE
Age Recommended: 5 and up
Skills Developed: Ear Training, Recognizing Specific Pitches
App Tested on iPad
Good Stuff about this music ed app: The giggling begins right as you open this app, it’s really funny! The blob chorus treats you to a quick rendition of their “Blob” song and then when you go to use the resource (play the game) they separate. The idea is that you listen very carefully to the pitches the Blobs sing and then the King Blob sings one of those same pitches. You have to tap on the correct Blob to win points.
Read MoreMusic Ed App Review for Sheet Music Direct
This review is for the music education app: Sheet Music Direct
Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5
Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5
Educational Value: Excellent
Price: $FREE
Age Recommended: All Ages of established musicians
Skills Developed: Music Library Organizer, Key Transposer, Practice Helper
App Tested on iPad (available only on iPad)
Good Stuff about this app: Well, well my life just became easier… again. This app is really quite revolutionary. I know I’ve said that before, but these developers never cease to amaze me. Gigging musicians will flip for this app.
With this free app (yes, free- no ads), you gain an instant music library right
Read MoreMy Note Games
App Name: My Note Games
Kid Testers Ratings: **** 4/5
Mom/Teacher Ratings: ***** 5/5
Educational Value: Superior
Price: ($FREE introductory) or $5.99 (bundle)
Recommended Ages: All (even though it is designed for kids, I used it for pitch training for myself with my voice, and found it challenging and really pretty darn fun).
Skills Developed: Note Reading
Reviewed on: iPad/iPhone (available for both)
I have had several students, my own children, and myself test this app over the course of 2 weeks. And, the consensus is…..(drumroll)… we LOVE it!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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About Me
Hi, I’m Rebecca. I am an active music teacher, a professional performing musician, and a mom of young musicians with apps. I love apps! The speed and ease of learning is incredible with today’s technology and I tend to use it to its fullest. I aim to only feature the best of the best here. Join Me! Categories
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