Groove! Metronome: Focus on function in a classy design

$0.99

February 22, 2013 in Music

[prMac.com] Cologne, Germany – Groove Metronome, the new iPhone app just out, clearly comes from a musician, for musicians: Focus on function, sleek and smooth, but flexible to cover all needs. The no nonsense approach makes for a fast launch, intuitive use and rock steady precision – packaged in classy design that simply looks and feels good.

Groove Metronome excels at metronome essentials:
* Tap, dial, tap or tweak tempo
* Set any meter fast – 3/4 or 9/8 etc.
* See and hear the beat
* Option to accent first beat
* Quick mute option

Beyond these essentials, Groove Metronome was programmed from scratch to launch fast and run rock-steady – even if the iPhone is just refreshing mails or receiving news. First updates are to add additional sound options and landscape mode.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and iPad
* Requires iOS 6.0 or later
* 4.7 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Groove Metronome 1.0 is offered at an introductory price of $0.99 USD (half the regular price tag of $1.99) or equivalent amount in other currencies, and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music and Utilities category. Educational discounts are available.

E-Folk – Guitar for beginners on the App Store and Google Play

$2.00

April 21, 2013 in Music

[prMac.com] Paris, France – Independent software developer David Palmerio today is proud to announce the release of E-Folk 3 for iOS and Android devices. Learn to play acoustic guitar in less than two months. E-Folk is an acoustic guitar method for beginners, featuring 11 lessons of increasing level to understand and play guitar chord progressions. No musical knowledge is required to use this app. The musical notation and theory is accompanied by audio and movie recordings.

Part 1 Basics:
* Lesson 1: Hold your guitar, understand tablatures and play your first Boogie
* Lesson 2: Right hand fingering for arpeggios study
* Lesson 3: What is a chord ?
* Lesson 4: Play with a pick on chord progression.

Part 2 Chords:
* Lesson 1: The Folk rhythm
* Lesson 2: Three beats rhythm
* Lesson 3: Arpeggios on chord progression
* Lesson 4: Palm mute.

Part 3 Barred Chords:
* Lesson 1: Minor barred chords
* Lesson 2: The F barred chord position
* Lesson 3: The C barred chord position.

Feature Highlights:
* Real guitar lessons with musical theory and a 11 tracks to learn
* Video support (network connection needed)
* Soundings strings to tune your guitar
* Autoscrolling tablature
* Section ‘After the lesson’
* Users can download pdf files

Supported Languages:
* US English, German, Spanish and French

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iOS powered devices
* Compatible with Android powered devices

Pricing and Availability:
E-Folk is $2 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the AppStore and Android Google Play in the Music category.

Rock Out Your iPad with The Latest Gaming Accessory

April 23, 2013 in Mobile Accessories

[prMac.com] San Francisco, California – Fleet Street Technology Inc., the creators of innovative accessories for mobile devices today announced the launch of Drummerz(R) tablet drumsticks.

Drummerz tablet drumsticks bring music apps to life on the iPad, iPad mini, iPhone and iPod devices. The sticks are made out of a high-tech conductive elastomer rubber – turning music apps into a fun and new drumming experience for people of all ages.

Fleet Street Technology is also proud to announce a partnership with Rhythm Pad, one of the most popular iPad drumming apps available. Coupled with DRUMMERZ drumsticks, anyone can sound like a rock star with the app that comes loaded with the choice of ten high-quality drum kits and a full-featured metronome.

To see the drumsticks in action, check out the YouTube video. Share this news: Rock out your iPad with @getdrummerz Tablet Drumsticks.

About Fleet Street Technology:
Founded in 2012, Fleet Street Technology Inc. was created to bring innovative accessories for mobile devices to market. It’s first unique product is Drummerz(R), tablet drumsticks that introduce a unique drumming experience to touch screen devices for consumers of all musical abilities, young and old. Fleet Street products are developed in the United States and are aimed to further the mobile device experience through fun and easy to use accessories.

Purchase and Availability:
Drummerz are available at getdrummerz online and Amazon for $34.99 USD from the DRUMMERZ website.

Founded in 2012, StickTeck Inc. was created to bring innovative accessories for mobile devices to market. It’s first unique product is Drummerz(R), tablet drumsticks that introduce a unique drumming experience to touch screen devices for consumers of all musical abilities, young and old. StickTeck products are developed in the United States and are aimed to further the mobile device experience through fun and easy to use accessories. Learn more about Drummerz by StickTeck atgetdrummerz online, on facebook and on Twitter. Copyright (C) 2013 StickTeck Inc. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

String Wars: Guitar Hero for Real Guitar – 30,000 Downloads in 3 Days

March 26, 2013 in Music

[prMac.com] Bangalore, India – Aynur Tech LLP announces String Wars 2.5 for iOS. String Wars is a beautiful and exciting new app in the iTunes store that aims at making guitar learning more fun and effective. It lets users play a guitar-hero type game using a real guitar. This is done using the latest sound technology to identify the notes played on a guitar just by listening to the music. The app allows the users to use their own guitar-pro tabs so that they can learn any song for free!

The beta version was released in mid December and saw over 20,000 downloads in just one day, when the app was made free. The upgraded version was released on March 23, 2013 and has been downloaded over 30,000 times in just 3 days. The app is free for a limited period!

String Wars creates a level based game for every song, helping users learn song in a step-by-step manner, which makes the experience fun and easy. The user can choose the track that she wants to practice. The game experience is improved drastically by switching on the backing tracks – bass and drum – played in the background. The app has interesting social features. Once a user becomes proficient in a song, she can challenge other players and share the played music with her friends.

The app is a great learning tool for self learners. Also, it provides a huge value to teachers and parents to provide exercises to students and kids, and keep a track of their performance. This is not just another app, but a buddy and a guide!

Feature Highlights:
* Evaluate real guitar music: State-of-art sound technology to evaluate real guitar music just by listening
* Read user’s tablature files: The software can read guitar-pro tab files so that users can create their own tablatures (.gp2, .gp3, .gp4). The backing tracks such as bass, drums are played in the background
* Play the sheet music: It allows the user to listen to the music to get a sense of the melody, rhythm and scale before playing the song on guitar
* Multiple learning modes: The user can use various learning modes such as adaptive mode – changes tempo as per user performance; stop of the wrong play – waits for the user to play the right note; user can also change the speed and difficulty level of the song

Language Support:
English, Chinese, Danish, Spanish

Device Requirements:
* iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and iPad
* Requires iOS 5.0 or later
* Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
* iRig (or similar equipment) with an electric Guitar. Nothing with an acoustic guitar.
* 49.5 MB

Pricing and Availability:
String Wars 2.5 is free for a limited time and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

BeatSpeak is an ideal metronome for all musicians but especially drummers who not only want a solid time-keeper, but also want to know exactly which beat they’re on after a drum fill or complex polyrhythmic break. BeatSpeak says each beat or bar aloud in the language of your choice, so that you always know which beat you’re on without having to check visually.

BeatSpeak features include:
* An elegant and easy-to-use interface – simply tap on the screen to start and stop the metronome
* Slide and tap to adjust the tempo and the beats per bar at any time
* Also featuring a “Tap Tempo” button – tap 4 times along with your song to set the tempo
* BeatSpeak is multilingual – select your desired language for audio playback – currently available are English and Japanese
* Also select your preferred voice – male and female voices for all languages are available
* New BARS feature tells you what bar you are on – drummers will never miss a beat or bar again
* New – Fully multilingual. Select the display language of your choice – currently available are English, German and Japanese

 For Iphone
 For Ipad
Ear Trainer is an application for the iPhone, iPad and iPhone Touch designed to help train your musical ear. Ear Trainer is aimed at musicians, music students and anyone interested in musical theory and improving their musical ear. Ear Trainer includes lessons and exercises for interval comparison, interval identification, chord identification, chord inversion, chord progressions, scales and relative pitch.

Exercise levels range from beginner to very advanced. As a beginner, Ear Trainer will guide you and recommend exercises to help you gradually improve your skills. More advanced users can focus on different areas of the application or select to start training at a higher level.

Each exercise is preceded by a short introduction which explains its intent as well as shows, and plays, an example on the app’s virtual piano. This gives the user a better understanding of the meaning behind each particular lesson before they start.

When an exercise is complete the users’ statistics are saved allowing them to track their progress and easily return to areas that need more training. Ear Trainer indicates when a user is ready to move on to the next lesson.

 IPhone $.99

 IPad  $.99

Rhythm Studio 1.08 for iOS Puts Recording Studio at Your Fingertips – Published on 12/14/12
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California based Pulse Code today announces Rhythm Studio 1.08, an update to their premier universal electronic music making app for iOS devices. Rhythm Studio boasts richly detailed graphics and incredible sound, with impeccable recreations of classic synths and drum machines along with other amazing studio hardware. Improvements include a major update to the TB-3 Digital Bass Line Synthesizer and user interface updates. The TB-3 mk2 is a more realistic emulation of the original synthesizer.
Orange County, California – Orange County, California – Pulse Code today is pleased to introduce the fifth update to its premier universal electronic music making app, Rhythm Studio.
The fifth update to Rhythm Studio includes a major update to the TB-3 Digital Bass Line Synthesizer, the TB-3 mk2. The TB-3 mk2 version gives you one of the most accurate TB-303 emulators available on an iOS device. We used the TB-303 service documents, circuit diagram, an original TB-303 (from which we took hundreds of samples for testing), and a x0xb0x with special mods to create this version. Special characteristics such as the unique oscillator waveform shape created at different pitches, the 18dB filter response of the 4-pole resonant filter, and the unique knob interactions are all here.
Main Features Include: * Full music production studio * Emulations of classic synthesizers and drum machines * 6 synthesizers, 2 drum machines, & 15 effects * Easy to navigate workspace * Multiple ways to make music to suite your creative process * WIST sync * Bluetooth song sharing * Background audio support
Update Features Include: * TB-3 mk2 synthesizer * Knob values displayed in Transport Example Minimum Requirements: * iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad * iOS 4.0 or later
Pricing and Availability: Rhythm Studio 1.08 is on sale for one week at only $0.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

 I Phone FREE

 IPad FREE

Bass Drop Dubstep HD – The Most Expansive Dubstep Sampler and Keyboard – Published on 12/14/12
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fresh Touch Media who reached number one on the app store with Bass Drop for iPhone, today introduces Bass Drop Dubstep HD 1.0, the ideal app for Dubstep fans and producers looking to quickly perform beats, basslines and dirty Dubstep sounds. The new and improved iPad version features a larger interface, new jam screen, three saving banks, hundreds of new sounds, twelve extra sample pads, in-app purchasing, low ram mode and many more improvements.
Sheffield, United Kingdom – Dubstep fans and producers can now smoothly perform bass lines and soundscapes using Bass Drop Dubstep HD 1.0. The app combines a keyboard and wobble bass synthesizer with a sound fx sampling pads. The convenient user interface facilitates multi-layer sound arrangements whilst briskly altering various samples and adding personalized character using the pitch and LFO (low frequency oscillation) controls.
It’s the perfect dubstep production aid for newbies, as well as budding and professional producers wanting to quickly jam ideas or create electronic sounds. Users can speedily select drum loops and edit the sample pads whilst performing a wobble bass line with the built in synthesizer to create arrangements.
The Wobble Bass Keyboard features an LFO rate adjuster that modifies the tonality and rate of your wobble sounds with a single press, rapid octave shifting, on the fly pitch bending and volume envelope adjustment, offering extended transformation of bass lines. Three synthesizer sound banks are included but more are available via in-app purchase.
Each sample pad provides swift adjustment and full customization of pitch, volume and sample loop durations via the edit menu. A large bank of sounds is available, including drum loops, percussion, risers, bass sounds and special fx and can be further expanded with in-app purchase features.
The new ‘Matrix’ screen swaps the keyboard for 12 extra pads and lets users edit and arrange up to 24 touch triggered pads, massively increasing the combination of soundscape arrangements, which can now be saved in up to 3 different banks using the edit menu.
Features: * Studio quality samples, created by professional producers * Huge bank of over 300 wobble bass synth variations * 28 bass one shots, 26 drum loops, 10 assorted loops and 19 extra FX included * In-app Purchase to unlock 48 more bass one shots and 30 more sound FX * Load and save up to 3 different sound bank layouts. * Colour assigned buttons, for clear and straightforward use * Pitch adjustment for all samples * 24 fully editable sample pads * 1 octave keyboard (13 keys) with pitch bending spanning 5 octaves * 3 different wobble synthesizers * Volume envelope and synthesizer global volume adjustment
Device Requirements: * iPad * Requires iOS 4.3 or later * 23.5 MB
Pricing and Availability: Bass Drop Dubstep HD 1.0 is free until December 21st 2012 and is available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgIsqeqVx-A

New MetroTimer 3.0 Free for iOS: The Most Accurate Metronome App for iOS – Published on 12/10/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

iPad FREE

 iPhone FREE

ONYX Apps today announces MetroTimer 3.0 free for iOS, its Music app that provides the most accurate metronome function of any app in the App Store. Ideal for musicians at all levels of expertise, MetroTimer provides highly accurate audio and visual feedback, and it can be set to any number between 40 and 208 beats per minute. The app employs technology developed for ONYX’s ClockMaster app, which achieves accuracy of milliseconds per day. A paid Pro version of the app adds complex rhythms.

Sofia, Bulgaria – ONYX Apps today is pleased to announce MetroTimer 3.0 free for iOS, a major update to its Music app that has achieved hundreds of thousands of downloads, as it provides the most accurate metronome function of any app in the App Store. With a completely redesigned GUI, it is ideal for musicians of all levels of expertise, regardless of instrument or style of music. MetroTimer provides highly accurate audio and visual feedback, and it can be set to any number between 40 and 208 beats per minute. The app employs technology developed for ONYX’s ClockMaster – Clock Time Regulation app, which was designed to measure inaccuracies of milliseconds per day. A paid Pro version of the app adds custom time signatures, accents and subdivisions, and an interactive beat editor.

It was the features and accuracy of the app that made the first two versions so popular with musicians worldwide. MetroTimer 3.0 includes the same features and accuracy, but now in a far more attractive package that is much easier to use. The control panel is a minimalist, modern, light grey on dark gray with cyan numerals and sliders. Setting any tempo is quick and intuitive, as is setting the practice timer. “I think we now have not only the most accurate metronome app on the App Store, but the coolest looking and easiest to use,” stated Eugene Klein of ONYX Apps.

There are many useful approaches to developing greater musicianship, but metronome practice is among the most valuable. MetroTimer is a free app that has been measured to be more accurate than any other metronome app for iOS. Most App Store metronomes are derived from Apple sample code included with the iOS SDK (Software Development Kit). And regretfully, this code fails to account for all the factors that can cause small inaccuracies to build up over time. MetroTimer, created by a software company that specializes in time measurement and regulation, is guaranteed to meet laboratory standards for accurate timekeeping.

The app includes eight different voices, so users can hear the typical click or seven other audible beat markers. The GUI includes a BPM slider and large digital readout, as well as plus and minus buttons to increment the setting by ones. An optional visual display flashes a white circle along with the metronome sound, and iPhone owners can activate their camera light. Finally, the user can set a Practice Timer (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes), which signals when the practice period is over.

In this release for version 3.0 ONYX has redesigned the entire UI, which is now beautiful and easy to use. On the front screen, there are the most often used controls – setting tempo, start button, and the practice timer. On the back side, additional settings allow selecting the metronome voice, and for the pro version (paid upgrade), the time signature and accents. MetroTimer Pro adds three features: 1) interactive beat editor; 2) custom accents and subdivision placement; and 3) custom time signatures, odd, and compound meters. The upgrade is available as an in-app purchase.

Feature Highlights:
* Set metronome to any time between 40 and 208 BPM
* Tested with clock time regulation equipment
* Visual indication (optional) allows you to “see” the beat
* Practice timer to track your practice sessions
* iPhone LED flash visual feedback support
* 8 metronome sounds including human voice
* Background mode, blends with other audio
* Tap tempo functionality displays BPM consistency of a rhythm tapped on the screen
* MetroTimer Pro is available as an in-app purchase

“Tempo is both literally and figuratively the heart of music,” observed Eugene Klein, CEO. “Mastering tempo is essential for good musicianship, and MetroTimer will help improve any player’s rhythm skills.”

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

This music education app review is for:  Little Star, Baby’s First Music Game

  Kid/Student Ratings: *****5/5

  Teacher/Parent Ratings: ****4/5

Educational Value: Excellent +

Price: $0.99

Recommended: 1 – 3  years

Skills Developed: Each tap of the screen brings a visual and musical reaction.

App Tested on iPad (available for both iPhone and iPad)

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  At first, the mother who first tested this app for me said it didn’t really do much… UNTIL she noticed her 2  year old constantly going back to open it.

One great thing about this app is that it is simple and not all gobbed up with confusing things to click.  The developers got this one right on for the age group.

The particular family I tested this app with has now had the app on their iPad for about 4 months and the parents say it is THE most opened app on the iPad at their home.  Guess that tells us how the kiddos like it.

All the babes have to do is tap on the stars and the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” plays with each tap.  Occasionally the rocket goes floating by.  This always brings a toothless grin, even after the 400th time.

  Our Wish List:  We wish that there were more apps like this for our babies.  It’s simple and so sweet.

  My Love:  Believe-it-or-not, the babies I tested this with started singing this song without any prompting from their parents.  REALLY.  They did.  With enough repetition loads of things are possible for our wee ones.

Summary:  All-in-all we feel parents can feel good about adding this app to their iOS device.  The babes will find it, for sure.  And, they’ll keep on coming back!

Purchase Twinkle Star on iTunes now for iPad for: $0.99

Purchase Twinkle Star on iTunes now for iPhone/Pod for: $0.99

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought!  Thanks – Rebecca

Tell Note for iPad the best audio recorder now it’s free – Published on 11/06/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tell Note, an easy-to-use and convenient solution for creating audio notes, now becomes free for a limited period of time. Perfect for business or studies, Tell Note is a simple and easy-to-use tool for audio recording conference, lectures, notes, etc., as well as convenient storage and listening. Audio recordings created in Tell Note can be exported in m4a format for playback in any other device or audio player. Download Tell Note absolutely free only till November 12.

Kiev, Ukraine – Tell Note – this is an easy solution for audio recording at any time and anywhere. It’s very simple: just run the application and click “Record”, and recording began. During recording, you can check your mail, read books, visit the Internet page, use any application on your iPad, and all this time, the recording will continue until you stop it. You can just put the iPad beside yourself, and even when the screen was disabled Tell Note will continue recording.

This amazing app now is free for limited time. Only till November 12 you can download Tell Note for your iPad(R) from App Store(sm) without any additional hidden payments.

Features:
* Record & playback in background
* Pause and resume record
* Export to iTunes(R) in m4a
* Send as eMail
* Adding text note in each record
* Change bit rate and font setting
* Unlimited recording duration
* Compatible with The new iPad

All audio recordings maked by Tell Note you can easily export to your Mac(R) via iTunes for future work with them. Small audio recording, you can send by eMail directly from Tell Note. Now in version 1.1 you can change the bit rate before the creation of records that will allow you to reduce the space occupied by the record, as well as allow contain more records.

The duration in the Tell Note app is not limited. Make an audio recording for duration of 10 hours with the help of Tell Note as easily as audio recording duration of 10 minutes. You can add text notes for each audio recording, which together with the record to be exported to iTunes, or Send as eMail.

Supported Languages:
* US English

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iPad
* iOS 5.1 or higher
* Size 1.9 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Tell Note 1.1 is Free of a limited time and available worldwide through the App Store in the Education category.

SUMMARY: This interview is all about the newest coolest guitar-teaching app. 

Want to listen on iTunes instead? CLICK HERE

We feel that guitar learners should not skip this app.  It’s super fun and extremely educational.

Episode 4: Guitar learning has never been so much fun!  Interview with Christoph Thur of Wild Chords.  This app received our MusiciansWithApps FAVORITE award.

• His real-live inspiration for this app
• His music and technology background
• How this app will benefit you!

Ok.  This guy has it going on.  How COOOL!

Check out the full written review and video here: http://musicianswithapps.com/music-app-for-guitar-learners-wild-chords/

Podcast 004: Enjoy!

Oh My Heck.  This app had us at “Hello”.

CLICK HERE to listen to this podcast on iTunes.

Summary:  All-in-all we noticed this app was one that the learners kept begging to come back to.  So,… we awarded it our very prestigious award of FAVORITE APP.  Yeah!  These developers were right on the money when they came up with this idea.  I doubt learning the recorder has ever been more fun!   We start on just one single note, but by the end of the app (yes, I played all the way to the end) we know how to play tunes like “Ode to Joy”.   It’s just GREAT!

Episode 3: We are learning to play the recorder from a great team of developers in Israel. Wow! This app has received the MusiciansWithApps FAVORITE award!  Chatting with Roey Izkovsky..

• His real-live inspiration for this app
• His music and technology background
• How this app will benefit you!

Roey is great.  What a talented team!

Check out the full written review and video here: http://musicianswithapps.com/recorder-master/

Podcast 003: Enjoy!

SUMMARY: This app is all about piano fun… and a little penguin.

CLICK HERE to listen to this podcast on iTunes.

We Love Pluto Piano!  The skills gained while playing are invaluable.  Besides, the kids I used for testers have wanted to play it over and over and over and over again.  Great work developers! 

Episode 2: Interesting interview with Luis Sampedro Diaz of Pluto Games, Inc. His app earned our prestigious award for FAVORITE APP. Great information!

• His real-live inspiration for this app
• His music and technology background
• How this app will benefit you!

Loved chatting with Luis.

Check out the full written review and video here: http://musicianswithapps.com/pluto-piano/

Podcast 002: Enjoy!

This app is a mother and music teacher’s dream as far as getting their child/student to work on basic note-reading without getting bored.  They love it!

CLICK HERE to listen to this podcast on iTunes.

My Note Games has been tested and tested again by myself and my team of young musicians and the consensus is…..(drumroll) ….. WE LOVE IT!!!

In this particular episode I interview James Everard of London, in the UK and we find out:

• His real-live inspiration for this app
• His music and technology background
• How this app will benefit you!

What a nice guy.

Check out the full written review and video here: http://musicianswithapps.com/my-note-games/

Podcast 001: Enjoy!

Discover Musical Instruments

Purchase this app:  for iphone

Purchase this app: for iPad  CURRENTLY ON SALE

You Tube Video of live demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK34-Vq1uZI

Independent developer Mathieu Brassard today released Discover Musical Instruments 1.5 for iOS, especially designed for babies and preschoolers. Easy to use and intuitive, this App captivates kids by presenting them with 60 high-quality pictures of musical instruments, their sounds and also the correct pronunciations of their names. Touching the picture will reveal the sound the musical instrument makes, and touching the name will pronounce it.

Mirabel, Quebec/Canada – Independent developer Mathieu Brassard today is pleased to announce the release of Discover Musical Instruments for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The third App in a series of four, Discover Musical Instruments is especially designed for babies and preschoolers and provides them with rich visual and auditory content that teaches about musical instruments.

This new version adds support for iPhone 5 and SmarTots.com integration. It also adds a lot of features to customize your kid’s learning experience, like a slide show mode, random cards order, a quiz mode by hiding names, possibility of hiding instruments, etc. There is also some improved content as suggested by users.

Easy to use and intuitive, this App captivates kids by presenting them with 60 high-quality pictures of musical instruments. When children touch one of the pictures in landscape mode, they will hear the sound of that musical instrument. The App includes a good variety of wind, strings and percussion instruments.

Portrait shows the picture and name of the musical instrument. Touching the picture will reveal the sound the instrument makes, and touching the name will pronounce it. A personalization module allows users to change instrument names and record custom sounds and pronunciation. All customized data can then be easily backed up and restored with Dropbox.

A customization module allows users to change instrument names and record custom sounds and pronunciation. Parents can even record their child’s voice to show how he or she is doing!

Other Apps in this series, Explore the Animal Kingdom, EducaVroom and EducaFood, are also aimed at children between the ages of 0 to 6 years, and they are available through the App Store. All Apps of this series include words in both English and French. Spanish is also included in this App and it will be gradualy added to other Apps.

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
* Requires iOS 4.3 or later
* 41 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Discover Musical Instruments version 1.5 is currently on sale for only $0.99 USD (or equivalent in other currencies), regular price is $1.99 USD. It is available worldwide on the App Store. Members of the media may contact Mathieu Brassard to obtain a free promotional code.

Purchase Tempo Primer LE  by clicking here:  

Sibelius Academy today announces Tempo Primer LE 1.1 for iOS, its revolutionary music app which helps musicians master the instrument. The basic functionality of the app is that of a regular metronome. Musicians can set up the tempo choosing from seven different types of beat patterns and six different metronome sounds, as well as the most common time signatures. It is possibile to record one’s own playing and graphically compare the music waveform with the selected tempo.

Helsinki, Finland – Sibelius Academy today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Tempo Primer LE 1.1, its revolutionary music app which helps musicians master the instrument. Where most metronome applications show only a certain tempo independent of what is being played, Tempo Primer LE teaches to understand timing in music. The basic functionality of the app is that of a regular metronome – user can set up the tempo choosing from seven different types of beat patterns and six different metronome sounds. It also includes the most common time signatures.

The most important feature is the possibility to record one’s own playing and graphically compare the music waveform with the selected tempo. Moreover, Tempo Primer LE also makes it possible to speed up and slow down the tempo – after the recording, with the recorded music! It’s not like fast forwarding a cassette tape where the sound gets higher. The pitch stays the same regardless whether you speed up or slow down the tempo.

Tempo Primer LE gives users an opportunity to analyze the recorded music. This makes the app unique on so many levels. And it is great for any musical instrument!

“We have been pushing to develop something innovative, something that would truly help the common user or a devoted musician to fulfill their potential. I think Tempo Primer LE really stands out as a tool that can take a person’s understanding of timing in music to another level”, commented Matti Jordman, Project Manager at Sibelius Academy.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
* Requires iOS 4.2 or later
* Size: 1.7 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Tempo Primer LE 1.1 is only $0.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

YouTube Video -Watch this app in action:

http://youtu.be/3CymFarme3A

Purchase this app on iTunes for iphone click here: 

E-Folk – Guitar for beginners on the AppStore and Android Market – Published on 06/05/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Purchase for iPhone:

Independent software developer David Palmerio has announced the release of E-Folk 2.5 for iOS and Android devices. Learn to play acoustic guitar in less than two months. E-Folk is an acoustic guitar method for beginners, featuring 11 lessons of increasing level to understand and play guitar chord progressions. No musical knowledge is required to use this app. The musical notation and theory is accompanied by audio and movie recordings.

Paris, France – Independent software developer David Palmerio today is pleased to announce the release of E-Folk 2.5 for iOS and Android devices. Learn to play acoustic guitar in less than two months. E-Folk is an acoustic guitar method for beginners, featuring 11 lessons of increasing level to understand and play guitar chord progressions. No musical knowledge is required to use this app. The musical notation and theory is accompanied by audio and movie recordings.

Part 1 Basics:
* Lesson 1: Hold your guitar, understand tablatures and play your first Boogie
* Lesson 2: Right hand fingering for arpeggios study
* Lesson 3: What is a chord ?
* Lesson 4: Play with a pick on chord progression.

Part 2 Chords:
* Lesson 1: The Folk rhythm
* Lesson 2: Three beats rhythm
* Lesson 3: Arpeggios on chord progression
* Lesson 4: Palm mute.

Part 3 Barred Chords:
* Lesson 1: Minor barred chords
* Lesson 2: The F barred chord position
* Lesson 3: The C barred chord position.

Feature Highlights:
* Real guitar lessons with musical theory and a 11 tracks to learn
* Video support (network connection needed)
* Soundings strings to tune your guitar
* Autoscrolling tablature in portrait and landscape mode
* New section ‘After the lesson’
* Users can download pdf files

Supported Languages:
* US English, German, Spanish and French

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iOS powered devices
* Compatible with Android powered devices

Pricing and Availability:
E-Folk is $3 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the AppStore and Android Google Play in the Music category.

This is a press release for a new music education app called: Okeedoke Studios Releases Songwriting App VCVCBC for iPad – Published on 05/12/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Okeedoke Studios today introduces VCVCBC: The Ultimate Songwriting App 1.0, its new songwriting app developed exclusively for the iPad. VCVCBC starts from any type of song element and culminates in a chord chart to share with your band or take into the studio for production. The app provides over 20 sets of common chord progressions, and any chord can be easily selected and dragged into a song. A rhythm can be recorded by tapping on common surfaces, like tabletops, chairs and steering wheels….

Cincinnati, Ohio – Okeedoke Studios today is thrilled to announce the immediate availability of “VCVCBC: The Ultimate Songwriting App,” exclusively for iPad. VCVCBC is a revolutionary songwriting app that starts from any type of song element – lyrics, melody, chords or rhythm – culminating in a chord chart to share with your band or take into the studio for production.

The app is designed to help songwriters collect their ideas as quickly as possible. “I’ve got boxes of scrap paper with a few lines of lyrics or melody lines on them, and I’ve got hundreds of files that I’ve started in Reason, Logic or Pro Tools,” said Ben Thornburg, Visionary of Okeedoke Studios. “I wanted a way to focus on the song itself without getting sidetracked by the music production side. VCVCBC does just that.”

VCVCBC doesn’t require any musical proficiency. The melody mode can highlight a key and scale, but there’s no piano skill required. Instead of learning guitar chord positions, the app provides over 20 sets of common chord progressions. Any chord can be easily selected and dragged into a song. A rhythm can be recorded by tapping on common surfaces, like tabletops, chairs and steering wheels. The app suggests rhymes while writing lyrics as well.

“This is not a production or notation app,” said Thornburg. “This is a revolutionary songwriting aid that couldn’t have existed before the iPad.”

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iPad
* Requires iOS 5.0 or later
* 49.8 MB

Pricing and Availability:
VCVCBC: The Ultimate Songwriting App 1.0 is $9.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category. For more information on VCVCBC, please visit Okeedoke Studios online.

With Hip Hop Triton, making music has never been so easy – Published on 05/03/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madrid-based Triton Studio introduces Hip Hop Triton 1.0, their new music app developed specifically for the iPad. Hip Hop Triton turns your iPad into an easily manageable professional studio which you can use to make your own music and share it with friends and family through email, Facebook or Twitter. Hip Hop Triton provides six audio tracks. Grouped in 5 categories, choose from a built in collection of over 400 professional quality sounds to cook up your theme.

Madrid, Spain – Triton Studio is pleased to announce the release of Hip Hop Triton 1.0, their new music app developed specifically for the iPad. Hip Hop Triton turns your iPad into an easily manageable professional studio which you can use to make your own music and share it with friends and family through email, Facebook or Twitter.

Hip Hop Triton provides six audio tracks. You can choose from a built in collection of over 400 professional quality sounds to cook up your theme. The sounds are grouped in 5 categories; there are 90 drum bases, and 85 bass lines. The Riff category contains 176 melodies made from 18 different instruments for your song. In Scratch/FX there are 19 sound effects and 47 scratches. Finally, in the vocal bank you can store recordings of voice or any other instrument you record through the microphone.

Hip Hop Triton offers advanced controls for setting the volume of each track separately, to mute it or to listen to just one track, It also offers a three filter equalizer.

Making music with Hip Hop Triton couldn’t be easier. Let your creativity run wild and amaze everyone with your musical themes. Remember all songs you create with Hip Hop Triton are royalty free.

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iPad
* Supports new iPad retina display
* Requires iOS 5.0 or later
* 138 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Hip Hop Triton 1.0 is $6.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category. Visit regularly our web and participate in our regular promotions and contests.

Purchase on iTunes:

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

Okay my piano-loving friends:  Here is how you can win one of three promo codes I have to giveaway today for Piano Sight Reading HD.  (iPad only)

1. First, read the review for this app on this page and leave a comment about how excited you are to use this app in your piano-learning or teaching endeavor.

2. Like musicians with apps on facebook and leave a comment or two, or three…

3. Be my twitter friend and tweet me that you want this awesome app.  MusiciansWApps on Twitter

Piano peeps with the most points first wins! (by wednesday midnight MST)

I’ll choose the winners tomorrow… so get started and make sure to let your friends know also!

-Rebecca

This music education app review is for:  Piano Sight Reading HD

Kid/Student Ratings: ****4/5

Teacher/Parent Ratings: *****5/5

Educational Value: Superior

Price: $1.99

Recommended: 5 years and up 

Skills Developed: Finding the notes from the staff on the piano keyboard quickly and efficiently.

App Tested on iPad (only available on iPad)

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  This app takes the skill of finding the correct keys on the piano to a whole new level.  The notes travel along the staff at the speed you indicate (lento, presto, etc).  Your job is to tap the correct key before the note reaches the double bar line.  It makes you concentrate really hard!

The developer has done a great job making sure that this app is superior piano education.  And, there is one skill a piano teacher insists their student knows… the notes and where they are!  Perfect, perfect.

Choice of treble or bass clef are given along with tempo, key, and how long you’d like to play the game.

I’d say this app is almost a must in piano-learning homes and studios.  You can’t beat this education for the price!

Our Wish List:  While this game is super educational and efficient, there isn’t as much fun factor as maybe could be.  The kids just aren’t asking to play it over and over.  Maybe because I, however created a game inside my music studio to see who could get the highest streak score and that did it.  They’re all over it now!  It is connected to the game center, and if you’re used to using that then this could be a way to keep it competitive.

My Love:  I absolutely LOVE that different key signatures can be used .. this is INVALUABLE to piano teachers!

I can see in-studio charts and contests already!  There is also a free play section that show you the note on the staff after you’ve touched the key on the keyboard.

Summary:  All-in-all we think this app has amazing educational content and a beautiful graphic to boot.  If you are a piano teacher or have piano learners in your home, you definitely need this app.  The learners I used this app on the past couple of weeks have ALL improved their note reading by far…. way far!

Purchase Piano Sight Reading HD for iPad on iTunes for iPad: $1.99

If you’ve already downloaded and used this app, leave us a comment and let us know how you liked it!  Thanks – Rebecca

This music education app review is for:  Dust Buster

Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5

Teacher/Parent Ratings: *****5/5

Educational Value: Superior

Price: $FREE

Recommended: 4 years and up 

Skills Developed: Reading that piano music!  Identifying note names, reading staff line notation, playing songs, rhythm, hand-eye coordination, memorizing key locations on the piano.

App Tested on iPad

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  From Old McDonald to Swan Lake and Vivaldi this app has quite a range.  I’d say learning where the notes are on the keyboard is a cinch with this app.

I’ve shown this app to many parents and students over the course of the past couple of weeks and they all agree that it is muy excelente!

The cutest little old lady and her dusting mop “whack” the notes as they travel down to the time line.  Your job is to play the note right on time while the accompaniment is playing.

When in Germ-Attack mode you’re allowed to use the keyboard on the iPad to play, but you can choose to play  piano mode where you have to use the real piano.  Yup, the real thing!  Just plop your iPad right on there and play away!

Then as you improve you can choose to play the tunes by watching the music on the staff.  Eeek, it really can give your brain some exercise.  What great education and fun!!

These are the same developers to bring us Recorder Master a few weeks ago (one of my all-time favorite apps), mand they’ve put this one out for FREE again.  (smile!)

Our wish list:  Um…… having a hard time thinking of something on this one.   I can usually think of something, but I’m stumped on this one!

My Love:   I love the accompaniments, practice mode, performance mode, and even the metronome mode!  Who would have thought you can have fun while only playing with the click metronome.  Those little germs keep your focus and attention right where they are supposed to be… on the keyboard!

Summary: All-in-all, we are loving this app so much that we’d like to say HOORAY for techie musicians!  The selection of songs is really quite large and includes many standards in piano repertoire.  Learners will love playing dust buster!

Purchase Dust Buster on iTunes for iPad (iPad only) for: $FREE

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment to let us know how you liked it.  Thanks- Rebecca

This music education app review is for:  Kasey’s Guitar Jams Play-Along Guitar Book

Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5

Teacher/Parent Ratings: *****5/5

Educational Value: Superior

Price: $1.99

Recommended: 4 years and up (young guitar learners)

Skills Developed: Basic beginning guitar play-alongs with accompaniment, timing, TAB reading

App Tested on iPad

Good Stuff about this music ed app: Wow.  Not enough great things can be said about this app.  I am thrilled to be able to show this off to all you guitar teachers of the very beginners.  The developer of this creative and fun guitar book is spot on as far as education goes.

Gone are the days of boring beginning exercises for young guitarists.  Now, in Kasey’s Guitar Jams you can “jam” out even when you only know 1 note!   It doesn’t get any better.

Besides having bright but simple graphics, this music book is full of progressive learning.  (LOVE!)  Even the youngest of learners can have an absolute blast playing songs with silly and fun lyrics to boot.

The most beginner guitar students I have here in my studio gave it quadrouple thumbs up!

Our Wish List:  We know this whole music book is written for TAB learning, but we feel it would be beneficial if the actual names of the notes were included in the teaching notes somewhere.  It would be an easy way to connect the learning.

My Love:  I love the fact that the teacher/parent accompaniment is provided making these tunes duets.  The accompaniments are engaging and seriously FUN sounding.  There’s no way this app can’t be loved!

Summary:  All-in-all we feel that this app is spot on for education and fun.  If you have been wishing you could learn to play the guitar but want the easiest, funnest way to do it – Kasey’s Guitar Jams will do it for you, for sure.

Purchase Kasey’s Guitar Jams on iTunes for iPad for: $1.99

Purchase Kasey’s Guitar Jams on iTunes 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

This review is for: Monkey Tunes

Kid/Student Ratings: **** 4/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: *** 3/5

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $0.99  (also available free in lite version)

Age Recommended: 3 and up

Skills Developed:  Memory of sequence of instruments played by the monkey

App Tested on iPad  

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  This cute monkey lives on an island where a cargo crate full of instruments was dropped.  The monkey plays each instrument and the idea is that you attempt to play back the instruments in the correct order he played them in.  FUN!!

As you play, the sequences get a little bit longer, and more instruments are added.  The kids I tested this with just giggled and giggled the whole time they were playing this app.

Memory skills are critical in music education, and this app fits the bill for sure!  A perfect game for the waiting room of any music school.

Our Wish List:  The instruments all take up one beat in the sequences but the guitar that the monkey plays uses up more than one beat, so sometimes you can’t hear the other instrument when it plays.  When two guitars are played in a row, they overlap which is quite confusing to the younger students.  I hope the developers see this and fix it.  It’s such a great game otherwise.

My Love:  I love that there are so many levels, and that it is not too complicated to pass them one at a time.  The monkey plays in different places (beach, circus, etc.) after so many levels are passed.  Lots of levels for these kids – they love that!

Summary:  All-in-all we feel that Monkey Tunes is a fun, motivating game that stimulates memory skills while using music instrument sounds and visuals.  It’s a pretty darn okay app.  The kids love it!  :)

Purchase Monkey Tunes in iTunes for iPad for: $0.99

Purchase Monkey Tunes in iTunes for iPhone/Pod for: $0.99

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!  Thanks -Rebecca

Start learning piano with Little Star Piano Lite – Published on 04/04/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sydney based Fun To Learn Apps today introduces Little Star Piano Lite 1.0.0, the latest update to their children’s educational app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. Little Star Piano Lite offers kids a great and simple way to start learning piano in a cleverly constructed game. The app features 3 levels of difficulty, with 2 classic children’s songs. By playing along to well known children’s nursery rhymes kids will be able to play their first song on a piano before they know it…

Sydney, Australia- Announcing that Fun To Learn Apps, the developer of Little Star Piano Lite, today is thrilled to announce the latest update for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. Little Star Piano Lite 1.0.0 offers users a great and simple way to start learning piano in a cleverly constructed game. By playing along to well known children’s nursery rhymes you will be able to play your first song on a piano before you know it…

Little Star Piano Lite 1.0.0 Features Include:
* 2 classic children’s songs
* 3 levels of difficulty
* Piano accompaniments for all songs
* Recorded audio to listen to your children’s best performances
* Email feature to send the best performances to friends and relative

Watch a video demonstrating Little Star Piano:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DW4I1jVbyM

To play a song is made easy, simply follow the 2 scrolling measures of music and press the key with the red dot on it as the note passes the scoring area. Before long after practising the song you will get to know what keys to press for each note in the music. When this happens you can simply look at the scrolling music and just press the key when the note is over the scoring area. It is at this point that you have successfully managed to read and play music, a skill that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The other important musical concept taught in this app is tempo, the notes scroll at a rate which will always keep you in-time as you only play the note when it’s over the scoring area, for short duration notes the music will scroll faster and for long duration notes it will scroll slower. This teaches the crucial concept that notes have different durations and soon you will get a feel for the different types of note.

The inspiration behind this app was to help everyone to start to play and enjoy music from babies that are just starting to learn about music to adults that want to start learning an instrument.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
* Requires iPhone OS 4.2 or later
* 5.6 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Little Star Piano Lite 1.0.0 is free and available worldwide through the App Store in the Education category. This free app does not contain banner-ads or in-app purchase pop-ups, it also does not collect personal contact information for use by third parties. There is an app store link to the full version of this software that contains 12 songs.

Purchase Little Star Piano on iTunes for: $FREE

This review is for: Wild Chords

Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: ***** 5/5

Educational Value: Superior

Price: $FREE

Age Recommended: 6 and up

Skills Developed:  Beginning Guitar Skills including Chords, Notes, Reading Tablature, Playing on the Beat

App Tested on iPad  (for iPad only)

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  I’m excited to shout that I’ve found another favorite app!  This app is super fun and educational to boot.  Learning guitar players will have an enormous amount of fun playing this one.  Even if you have never touched a guitar before, you can play this game and by the time you read the end, you’ll really be on your way to having your own garage band!

You get to use your real guitar while playing this app which means you’re learning to play your real instrument.   A hip looking dude is your avatar and as you play the chords indicated, you hypnotize the wild animals into following you around.  You have to play the chords on the beat.  The farther into the game you get, the more chords you know and the more fun the songs begin to sound.

This game also teaches you how to read tablature!  Perfect!!

Listen to my podcast (04) interview with the developer of Wild Chords:

Our wish list:  Sometimes even the most advanced guitar player can’t make the app happy as far as it hearing your notes right on time.   Those darn birds just keep popping your balloons.  Possibly there’s a timing glitch?  Or, maybe we need to keep practicing.  :)

My Love:  I absolutely love the tablature learning portion of this app.  What an important skill!  Every guitar player needs to know how to read in TAB.  I can’t think of a more fun way to practice than to focus on keeping those birds on the telephone wires.  Seriously good idea!

Summary:  All-in-all we feel that guitar learners should not skip this app.  It’s fun and extremely educational.  And… it receives our FAVORITE APP AWARD for this month!  Congratulations, developers.  We love you!

Purchase Wild Chords on iTunes for iPad for: $FREE

Note: this app is only available for iPad.

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment to let us know what you think.  Thanks.  -Rebecca

This review is for: The House on Melody Street

Kid/Student Ratings: **** 4/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $0.99

Age Recommended: 2 – 9

Skills Developed:  Interactive book introducing orchestra instruments and their sounds

App Tested on iPad 

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  As a music teacher of some young ones, I find these interactive books really great for group class.  The music presented in this app is high quality and the kid narrator is quite excellent.  What a great example for our youngsters!  These characters are the same ones in the really great app review I did a few weeks ago on Mozart Interactive.  If you haven’t seen it yet, you really should.  The graphics are the best I have ever seen for an app so far!

As you flip through the book you see different music characters introduced one at a time, but they all live in the same house and play in a different key – soooo, you can tell the other chapters are going to be fun to see how it all works out.

Our Wish List:  ”The House on Melody Street” includes chapter 1 only with notice that the other chapters are coming soon.  I wonder what “soon” means…

My Love: The musical score for this app is really very high quality.  The developing team behind this app really knows their music.  All characters are played by real instruments and that makes my heart sing!

Summary: All-in-all we think this app about the House on Melody Street is pretty neat.  I love music and reading to my children, and if you do too then you’ll for sure enjoy it also.

Purchase Melody Street on iTunes for iPad for: $0.99

Purchase Melody Street on iTunes for iPhone/Pod for: $0.99

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment to let us know what you thought.  Thanks! -Rebecca

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.

Hilarious?  Oh yes.

I have been involved in perfect and relative pitch courses over the years, but I’m not sure if ANY of them were presented in this light.  This being said, it does work, and is great practice for those searching for perfect pitch abilities.

Our Wish List:  We wish their were choices for female voices.  These blobs all have very low voices and a gal like me would like to practice her skills on pitches within her range.  Maybe this could be a future upgrade?

My Love:  I love that once you master the easy level you can notch it up and play with more Blobs.  It really gets quite challenging.  I’ve been playing this game all week, and I tell you – it’s still kind of tricky in the higher levels.

Summary:  All-in-all we think this app is hilarious and a really fun way to practice ear training.  The app is simple and right to the point.   A  smiling, lumpy blob is humorous enough to keep you playing longer than other boring ear training exercises for sure!

Purchase Blob Chorus on iTunes for iPad for:  $FREE

Purchase Blob Chorus on iTunes for iPhone/Pod for:  $FREE

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought.  Thanks -Rebecca

This review is for: Flashnote Derby

Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 5/5

Educational Value: Superior

Price: $0.99 

Age Recommended: 5 – 11

Skills Developed:  Note recognition speed on treble and bass clef

App Tested on iPad 

Good Stuff about this music ed app:  If you have a child who is learning their notes (treble and/or bass clef), this is a fun and straight to the point game that will increase their speed of note recognition.

The idea is that you identify the notes presented by tapping on ABCDEFG  within a certain time limit depending on which level you are on (walk, trot, canter, or gallop).  If you are correct  your jockey on his horse will move ahead of the horse he is racing.  Each time you get a correct answer, he moves ahead a little bit more.  If you can’t answer correctly or take too long, your opponent will move forward and you may lose the race.

This is GREAT practice for note recognition.  And, as a music teacher myself I know that learners can’t ever get enough of this in their first few years of music education.  You even get to choose which notes you’ll be identifying!  COOL.

The kids I tested this app with loved it and the parents were quick to say, “Where can I buy this app?”

Our Wish List:  We wish there was an actual finish line shown.  The horses just run off the page and then you know it is over because of all the cheering of the crowd.

My Love:  When you tap on the lightbulb at the bottom of the page, a series of learning lesson videos pop up.  You can choose to learn about the notes and where they are placed on the staff.  What great education!  The lessons are taking in small bites and are very comprehensive, but not too hard to understand.

Summary:  All-in-all we feel this app is very educational and pretty darn fun as well!  The crowd clapping faster and faster gets your heart racing to try and identify those notes faster and faster so you can win.  It’s a simple app, but the kids really like it.

Purchase Flashnote Derby on iTunes for iPad for: $0.99

Purchase Flashnote Derby on iTunes for iPhone/Pod for $0.99

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought.  Thanks!  -Rebecca

This review is for: Monkey Drum FREE  (There is also a deluxe version of this app)

Kid/Student Ratings: **** 5/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5

 FREE iPhone

 FREE iPad

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $Free 

Age Recommended: 4 – 12

Skills Developed:  Rhythm exploration, percussion instrument exploration, rhythm repeat, percussion song composition

App Tested on iPad 

Good Stuff about this app:  I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about this app at first.  I am always analyzing for educational content. But I’ll tell you that after watching my son and a couple of cousins return to it over and over for fun and creativity, it has won me over.   And, I love that it is FREE.  (no ads)

The idea is that you “jam” on real sounding percussion instruments and little jungle animals copy your rhythm exactly back to you.  The animals have funny reactions as you are allowed to feed them bananas to reward them.  It really is pretty cute.  The young boys seem to really enjoy these reactions.

The best part of the app is the composition section where you create songs using a vertical grid.  You can then save your songs and watch the animals perform them for you.  It’s really pretty darn fun.

I have a 10 year old drummer in the house and he can’t keep his hands off this app lately.

Our Wish List:  The composition area of the app seemed hard to navigate at first.  It was unclear what to do or how to save the songs created.  The kids also didn’t understand that you could make several sections to each song, but after playing with it for a while (and clicking the help button), we got it figured out.

My Love:  I really love the composition page of this app.  It’s great that you can earn/unlock more instrument the more you play.  There is a tempo control, and it appears that your compositions can have endless sections to them.  The kids have really had a hay day with it!

Summary:  All-in-all we think percussion enthusiasts will get a bang out of this app!  It’s a really great way to use creativity and rhythm and wrap it into a whole lot of fun.  Can I say “I Love FREE educational apps” ?

Purchase Monkey Drum on iTunes for iPad for:  $FREE

Purchase Monkey Drum on iTunes for iPhone/Pod for:  $FREE

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.  Thanks -Rebecca

The Little Fox Music Box makes noise on iPad and iPhone – Published on 03/19/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Little Fox Music Box is a beautifully designed Sing-along app for kids at the age between 2 and 6, exclusively released for iPad and iPhone last thursday. On the very first day the app got picked by Apple to be App of the week in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China and 74 more stores around the globe. Including a total of 110 interactive elements the app is presenting 3 songs for singing along and karaoke, as well as the stunning music studio of the little fox.

Berlin, Germany – Academy Award Nominee Heidi Wittlinger (2002, best animated short) and App publisher SHAPE MINDS AND MOVING IMAGES did it again! Following the highly successful Nighty Night! app the all new LITTLE FOX MUSIC BOX was released last thursday – exclusively on iOS iPad and iPhone.

Including a total of 110 interactive elements the app is presenting 3 songs for singing along and karaoke, as well as the stunning music studio of the little fox. Here almost every element is interactive, offering tons of fun for every music loving toddler. Frogs, birds, dishes, cups and waterdrops, every little thing makes a noise while the fox is dancing to the rythm of beatbox.

The design concept is based on animated cutouts of physically handdrawn paper artwork. With this special “old school” technique the designs of the app feel more physical and real than most of the other apps.

The small Berlin based studio SHAPE spent almost 6 months on crafting this app, recording the songs and animating the scenes.

Features:

3 children’s songs:
* London Bridge
* Evening Song
* Old McDonald had a farm

* AND the Music Studio full of surprises
* Karaoke Mode
* Languages: English and German

London Bridge:
London is a busy town! Especially since the bridge has a gap. Japanese tourists, a pirate and a parrot, a crocodile, a mermaid and a whale, a cab with a periscope…everything moves and can be touched while the little fox dances behind the windows of the towers.

Evening Song:
Many animals live in this spectacular night scene, you just have to find them. The owl follows your finger, fascinating ghosts are flying through the air, the stars burst into fireworks. Do you know how to paint with northern lights?

Old Mac Donald Had A Farm:
While old Mac Donald sleeps under his tree all year, the animals go crazy. Seasons change if you press the button…find out what cow, bee and the young chicks do in summer, spring and winter. How about the little fox? He dresses up as a sheep!

Music Studio:
Birds, Frogs and dishes sing and cling! Mummy Fox is knitting to the rhythm and the little fox is dancing. Almost everything in the studio makes a noise, be ready to explore every little corner.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
* Requires iOS 4.0 or later
* 114 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Little Fox Music Box 1.1 is $4.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

Purchase Little Fox Music Box in iTunes for iPad for: $4.99
Purchase Little Fox Music Box in iTunes for iPhone/Pod for: $4.99

This review is for: Inversion Invasion

Kid/Student Ratings: **** 4/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: *** 4/5

 FREE

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $Free (with ads)

Age Recommended: 5 – 13

Skills Developed:  Piano chords: Major Triads, Minor, Sus, 7ths, and inversions of all.

App Tested on iPad (designed for iPad only)

Good Stuff about this app: This app was designed for young game enthusiasts who are learning to play the piano.  Teachers who require that students learn their chords will flip for this game.  First, it sucks you in with astronaut talk and then a mechanical voice states that you are going to have an “inversion invasion”.  The idea is then to play the correct chords on the keyboard (on the iPad).  Each piano key hit triggers a ray gun and blasts the alien who is in its path.

How much fun is that?  Pretty darn, if you ask me.

I had 2 younger boys play this game as testers.  They were sucked in immediately.

The good thing is that you don’t really have to have your chords and inversions memorized before playing this game.  It teaches you just by repetition of the game.

Our Wish List:  I watched the kids play though mission 8 and started wondering why there wasn’t a feature that would give more points to those who could identify the chord correctly before the aliens showed them the keys.  It seems that there was no motivation to think of it on their own because the aliens would pop on and reveal the answer.

My Love:  I love an app that will get a 10 year old boy to practice his chords and their inversions for a half of an hour without getting bored.  Nuf said.  :)

Summary:  All-in-all we feel that this app is really quite cool and targets an audience of learners who are attracted to games like this.  Chords and their inversion can be a difficult skill to master quickly, but that seems to be no problem after using this app for a week or two.

Purchase Inversion Invasion on iTunes for iPad for:  $FREE

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought.  -Rebecca

CookieCoo Dancing Star: iOS Rhythm App for Kids Puts Smiles on Faces – Published on 03/08/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ThinkCube’s CookieCoo Dancing Star is a rhythm game for iPhone, iPod touch, & iPad full of features for entertaining little ones. Well-known, popular children’s songs form the foundation for the game’s rhythm based game play. Children can sing along as they tap out the beat of the songs in time with the dropping musical notes, while watching one of the game’s quirkily adorable characters dance to the tune. Children can pick their favorite CookieCoo dancing star to dance and sing while they play.

Seoul, Korea – ThinkCube’s CookieCoo Dancing Star is a rhythm game for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad full of features for entertaining little ones. Well-known, popular children’s songs like Hokey Pokey, Miss Mary Mack, I Can Sing a Rainbow, and many others form the foundation for the game’s rhythm based game play. Children can sing along as they tap out the beat of the songs in time with the dropping musical notes, while watching one of the game’s quirkily adorable characters dance to the tune.

Each song pack offers enormous replay ability for kids. In addition to striving for three stars, children can choose the difficulty level for each session, as well as which musical instrument they want to play along to the music with. They can also choose which of the five characters will accompany their endeavors with dance. The three-song pack included with the initial download of CookieCoo Dancing Star can provide little superstars with hours of play, as they seek three-star glory for each song. CookieCoo Dancing Star comes with three educational classics included: Hokey Pokey; Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes; and This is the Way We Wash Our Face. There are many additional song packs available for in-app purchase.

Features:
* Child-friendly interface
* Watch mode for those who aren’t ready to play along yet
* Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty levels
* Friendly, positive feedback – no frustration
* Children choose from three different “instruments” to play each time they start a song
* Children can pick their favorite CookieCoo dancing star to dance and sing while they play, each time – five to choose from

The game’s three levels of difficulty make it appropriate for a broad range of abilities, and help children work their way up to more challenging play without frustration. And the delightful art direction behind CookieCoo Dancing Star provides an imaginative visual stimulation. CookieCoo Dancing is so entertaining, children won’t realize how educational it really is!

Pricing and Availability:
CookieCoo Dancing Star is available for download now in the iTunes App Store for $0.99 (USD) and compatible with devices running iOS 3.1 or later. There are many additional song packs available for in-app purchase.

To Purchase CookieCoo Dancing Star on iTunes for $0.99 click here:

This review is for:  Mozart Interactive

Kid/Student Ratings: ***** 5/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5

 FREE

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $ Free

Age Recommended: 2 – 12 years

Skills Developed:  Listening Repetition and Interaction

App Tested on iPad

Good Stuff about this app:  Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca has never been so much fun!  This tune has been running around our home for the past week now.  The kids are playing it on all instruments since we have heard it so much.  The visual technology of this app really gives it an edge.  I felt like I was watching a new pixar movie!  It really is very engaging.

The cutest 10 year old is the host of the event.  He gives an outstanding performance on the piano while other animated “human-like” instruments wish to join in.  The idea is that you get to choose which instrument will butt in next.  When they do, they make a short appearance in a humorous way.  A funny little snare drum is always trying to get them off the stage.  It’s funny!

Our Wish List:  I really hope the developers of this app make more tunes.  I was disappointed only because there was only one piece to interact with.  I wanted more!  The 4 note rating is only because after playing the app a few times, there are no more variables.  But, the younger children I tested this with wanted to watch it over and over not caring that it was the same.

My Love:  As stated above, the visual technology has me pumped here!  I also love the precise, high skill-level of all of the instruments in the recording.  BRAVOOOOO!!

Summary:  All-in-all we feel this app deserves a really good try by every household with music learning children.  It’s free, and you can’t beat that, no matter your instrument of choice.

Purchase Mozart Interactive on iTunes for iPad : $FREE

Have you already downloaded and used this app?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.  Thanks -Rebecca

New App for Music Education- Logical Piano

This is a press release for the Musicians With Apps Media Channel.  This is not a review.

AppScraft today introduces Logical Piano 1.0, its new music learning application for iOS devices. After 10 minutes with Logical Piano you’ll be able to play your favorite tune, such as Pirates of the Caribbean or Popcorn. Perfect for both children and adults alike, Logical Piano perfectly develops memory and sense of rhythm. The application features 18 songs, ranging from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and ending by the famous passage from the Beethoven masterpiece.

Moscow, Russian Federation – AppScraft today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Logical Piano 1.0, its new music learning application for iOS devices. After 10 minutes with Logical Piano you’ll be able to play your favorite tune, such as Pirates of the Caribbean or Popcorn. Surprise your friends and family and even yourself!

Do not know how to play the piano, but always wanted to learn? It seems that it needs to spend a lot of time and have an excellent ear for music? Are you afraid that you have to learn tons of literature, or hire a teacher? Then the new game Logical Piano for you. After 10 minutes you’ll be able to play your favorite tune.

Logical Piano is not a boring tutorial, it’s a game in which you rehearse 18 popular melodies. All you need is just a repeat keystrokes one by one.

Features Highlights:
* 18 songs, ranging from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and ending by the famous passage from the Beethoven masterpiece
* In subsequent updates numbers of tunes will increase
* Only of $1 you get the HD version of the game Logical Piano
* All the tunes that you will learn in the game, you can easily play on the real piano
* The game has been translated into 10 languages
* Logical Piano perfectly develops memory and sense of rhythm – Perfect for both children and adults
* First application in the App Store in which you can open the lid of the piano

Device Requirements:
* Phone, iPod touch, and iPad
* Requires iOS 4.3.3 or later
* 9.8 MB
Pricing and Availability:
Logical Piano 1.0 is $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.

Click here to purchase for iPad for $1.99:

Click here to purchase for iPhone/Pod for $1.99:

This review is for:  Irish Fiddler

Kid/Student Ratings: **** 4/5

 Teacher/Parent Ratings: **** 4/5

 $1.99

 $1.99

Educational Value: Excellent

Price: $1.99

Age Recommended: All ages of violin/fiddle players 

Skills Developed:  3 Irish Fiddle Tunes are taught, ornamented, and put into a set

App Tested on iPad/iPhone

Good Stuff about this app:  For already established violin/fiddle players, this app is a gem.  The sweetest 15 year old and very accomplished Fiddler from Ireland takes you step by step through three popular Irish fiddle tunes so you can play them just as well.

Each of the tunes has 3 separate lessons and you can even print the music if you don’t want to just view it from your screen.

There is a listening lesson first where you can become familiar with the tune over and over.  Then there is a tutorial lessons where the instructor takes you bit by bit through the piece.  She encourages you to work on it over and over.

The last lesson in the app takes all 3 tunes and puts them together in a medley just as you would hear it being played at an Irish Ceili or dance.

My son took this app and easily conquered all 3 tunes.  What a happy sound!

Our Wish List:  I think violinists/fiddlers will enjoy learning from this informative app, but I really felt that she didn’t spend enough time on the ornamentation.  Most musicians who have gotten themselves to a proficient reading level can figure out the tune, but what makes it full of Irish flavor is the ornamentation.   The cuts, etc. are only briefly introduced.

My Love:  This  music lends itself to even more than just fiddle.  I am an Irish Whistle player and I zipped through this app really well also.  It’s fun to see an authentic Irish Fiddler play and ornament this one.  Love it!

Summary:  All-in-all we feel that $1.99 for an awesome fiddle lesson on 3 different Irish Tunes is incredible!  Get it for all of your violin players, they’ll be a hit at the next get together!

Purchase Irish Fiddler on iTunes for iPad for: $1.99

Purchase Irish Fiddler on iTunes 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

This is a press release for Funi Player. This is not a Musicians With Apps review.

Funi Player 1.01 for iOS 5: Music Effects Editor is Creative Musical Fun – Published on 02/24/12

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indie developer Sejin Kim today introduces Funi Player 1.01 for iOS, his music-editing app that gives users an innovative way to listen to and enhance the songs in their music collection. Users may isolate vocals or instruments, adjust the speed of the tracks, or listen to songs backwards in this powerful Music editing app. Taking music listening to a new level, Funi Player users can create custom recordings of edited music creations for karaoke, artistic creation, musical practice or fun…

Seoul, Korea – Independent developer Sejin Kim today is pleased to introduce Funi Player 1.01 for iOS, his music-editing app that gives users an innovative way to listen to and enhance the songs in their music collection. Users may isolate the vocals or instruments, adjust the speed of the tracks, or listen to songs backwards in this powerful Music editing application. Taking music listening to a new level, Funi Player users can create custom recordings of edited music creations for karaoke, artistic creation, musical practice or fun. Using Funi Player’s new technology, which requires iOS 5.0 or later, songs are all playable in stereo sound with or without effects, creating a true stereo sound editing experience.

When users launch Funi Player (pronounced Funny), they are taken to a screen that features the same menu as the iOS Music player, and it contains their entire media library. Listeners may choose a song from Playlists, Artists, Songs, or Albums. Once a song is selected, users have the option of listening to the song as it was originally recorded in Normal Play, or listening to music in one of Funi Player’s innovative music effect modes including: Acappella Effect, Vocal Removed Effect, Reverse Play and Speed Control Play.

When listening to a song in Acappella Effect, the instruments are removed leaving only the voice of the singer or singers. Isolating the voice gives singers the opportunity to hear intricate vocals, without the distraction of the instrumental tracks. While the song is playing in Acappella Effect, users may pause, play, turn the effect on and off, and record the song in this effect.

Musicians may also listen to only the instrumentals of a song in the setting Vocal Removed Effect. This setting, which removes the vocals from a track, includes the option to play, pause, record and turn the effect on and off. Perfect for karaoke, users may use this setting to play the instrumentals of a track while adding their own vocals.

The Reverse Play option of Funi Player takes a song, vocals and instruments and plays the entire song backwards. The record option allows users to record this different version of a song. At any time during this effect, users may play, pause, or turn the effect on or off.

The Speed Control Play option gives users even more creativity with songs in their music library. Users may adjust the speed of a song by slowing it down by increments of .1 times to a maximum of .5 times slower speed. Users may also increase the speed of a song in .1 times increments to a maximum speed of 2.0 times.

Funi Player includes many additional features including links to YouTube Videos, Lyrics, and Ringtones in iTunes. The YouTube Videos tab takes the user to a list within the app of related YouTube Videos. The Lyrics tab takes the user to an in-app page of lyrics for the particular song. The Ringtone in iTunes tab launches iTunes and takes users to a list of related available ringtones.

Funi Player lets users share their edited musical creations. Users may record music with enhanced effects and send as a WAV file via email. Funi Player also supports AAC compression, allowing very large recordings to be sent via email with ease.

In addition, the app supports the following song play features: play and pause, play collections, play next, play previous, scrubbing, now playing button, searching, index, lyrics, repeat, shuffle, background play and remote control. Once a user has synced a device to iTunes, Funi Player updates the media library automatically, allowing for seamless integration with the user’s media selections.

Feature Highlights:
* Seamless integration with iTunes media library
* Play music in Normal Play, Acappella Effect, Vocal Removed Effect, Reverse Play and Speed Control Play
* Vocal Removed Effect provides a platform for karaoke
* Record new song creations
* Email effect enhanced songs with ease
* Bonus options link to YouTube Videos, Lyrics, and Ringtones
* Turn effects on and off effortlessly with touch switch

“Funi Player gives you a music editor in your pocket,” stated Sejin Kim. “Take your favorite songs, apply wild effects, and share your creations. Get this app and make music fun again.”

Language Support:
* U.S. English and Korean

Purchase Funi Player now on iTunes for iPhone for: $1.99