Tunable
http://tunable.affinityblue.com/
For Android and iOS
Cost: $2.58
This is one of the apps that my actual trombone professor suggested for me to purchase. He also uses it all of the time, and so I will be buying it quite soon. It is a tuner, and a metronome. The unique part about this app is that it has “sustained tuning history” which means you can observer your tuning progression over time. I would highly recommend this for the purpose of long tones, it is so much easier to observe where your tuning is traveling because it uses a sine wave to track your frequencies. The sine wave is quite accurate and picks up a lot of detail, so you can observe and learn how to make even smaller adjustments than usual. It also allows you to do chord building, which is important for ear training and intonation exercises. As well, it has a visually-appealing metronome that can go from 10 bpm- 300 bpm. The metronome also lets you subdivide as much as you need to – it can even do thirty-second note subdivisions. Overall, it is a great app, it is inexpensive, and because it is on your phone, can go anywhere with you.
For Android and iOS
Cost: $2.58
This is one of the apps that my actual trombone professor suggested for me to purchase. He also uses it all of the time, and so I will be buying it quite soon. It is a tuner, and a metronome. The unique part about this app is that it has “sustained tuning history” which means you can observer your tuning progression over time. I would highly recommend this for the purpose of long tones, it is so much easier to observe where your tuning is traveling because it uses a sine wave to track your frequencies. The sine wave is quite accurate and picks up a lot of detail, so you can observe and learn how to make even smaller adjustments than usual. It also allows you to do chord building, which is important for ear training and intonation exercises. As well, it has a visually-appealing metronome that can go from 10 bpm- 300 bpm. The metronome also lets you subdivide as much as you need to – it can even do thirty-second note subdivisions. Overall, it is a great app, it is inexpensive, and because it is on your phone, can go anywhere with you.
Tenuto
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tenuto/id459313476?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Cost: $3.99
This app is so addicting to use- it has an easy format and visually appealing style that allows you to continuously improve your skills in music- whether it is ear training (types of chords, minor scales, intervals), or just written theory. One of my favourite parts that I would use was the note reading section of the app. I wanted to improve my ability in reading ledger lines for both the treble clef and bass clef. It will show a note on the staff, and you will have to choose the correct answer. It is much more complicated, because it is so customizable. You can choose to read from a variety of clefs (treble, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, grand staff), the range of the notes in each staff (i.e. ledger lines), and if you want to use key signatures, accidentals, or a combination of both. As well, it does key signature identification, theory analysis calculation (chords), and so many things. Students can track their progress through a series of quizzes and can challenge themselves to beat their previous high score. It is a great app for a great price, and the benefit of it is that it does not require the internet, and students can just take it out and quiz themselves whenever they need it. That way, they can do as much practicing at home without a teacher nearby, and they will be ready for any quiz or test!
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Cost: $3.99
This app is so addicting to use- it has an easy format and visually appealing style that allows you to continuously improve your skills in music- whether it is ear training (types of chords, minor scales, intervals), or just written theory. One of my favourite parts that I would use was the note reading section of the app. I wanted to improve my ability in reading ledger lines for both the treble clef and bass clef. It will show a note on the staff, and you will have to choose the correct answer. It is much more complicated, because it is so customizable. You can choose to read from a variety of clefs (treble, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, grand staff), the range of the notes in each staff (i.e. ledger lines), and if you want to use key signatures, accidentals, or a combination of both. As well, it does key signature identification, theory analysis calculation (chords), and so many things. Students can track their progress through a series of quizzes and can challenge themselves to beat their previous high score. It is a great app for a great price, and the benefit of it is that it does not require the internet, and students can just take it out and quiz themselves whenever they need it. That way, they can do as much practicing at home without a teacher nearby, and they will be ready for any quiz or test!
Theory Lessons
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/theory-lessons/id493157418?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Cost: $2.99
This is a great way to refresh your knowledge for when you are at home after a lesson, and you may be confused. Whether it is to just clarify a few ideas or have a whole lesson on the basics, the app provides thorough detailing on all of the concepts so that students can maintain an understanding of the basics and work from there. The app also uses detailed pictures in each lesson which is quite useful for visual learners. I myself used the exercises on the website to clarify any complications when I was in high school, and it left me quite confident after each exercise and lesson. I would especially recommend it for Secondary School students.
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Cost: $2.99
This is a great way to refresh your knowledge for when you are at home after a lesson, and you may be confused. Whether it is to just clarify a few ideas or have a whole lesson on the basics, the app provides thorough detailing on all of the concepts so that students can maintain an understanding of the basics and work from there. The app also uses detailed pictures in each lesson which is quite useful for visual learners. I myself used the exercises on the website to clarify any complications when I was in high school, and it left me quite confident after each exercise and lesson. I would especially recommend it for Secondary School students.
WAV Recorder
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mawges.hipxel.wav.recorder&hl=en
For Android and Google Devices
Cost: Free
Music is sound, and you need to hear the sounds. Practicing is not just about playing the notes over and over and seeing if it feels better, but it is also important to listen to yourself play. WAV recorder allows you to record small audio clips that will help you hear what you sound like and also see how you have improved. As well, if you are beginning to develop or experiment with composing, WAV recorder is a great app to have so you can record a musical idea that you can’t write down. By using this format, you can go anywhere to be inspired and have the ability to retain composition ideas at the press of a button.
For Android and Google Devices
Cost: Free
Music is sound, and you need to hear the sounds. Practicing is not just about playing the notes over and over and seeing if it feels better, but it is also important to listen to yourself play. WAV recorder allows you to record small audio clips that will help you hear what you sound like and also see how you have improved. As well, if you are beginning to develop or experiment with composing, WAV recorder is a great app to have so you can record a musical idea that you can’t write down. By using this format, you can go anywhere to be inspired and have the ability to retain composition ideas at the press of a button.
KeepTrack
For Android and Google Devices
Cost: Free
Recommended for any level of musicians, whether it is a Secondary student managing free time for practicing or a University Student struggling to handle essays, projects, theory, midterms, and trying to fit in practicing on top of it all. KeepTrack allows you to record all kinds of miscellaneous statistics. You can track your weekly results for practicing to make sure that you are not lying to yourself, and KeepTrack also uses a variety of graphics such as graphs, pie charts, and lists. Access to a Gmail or E-mail account is required. KeepTrack keeps your data on a cloud, and as well can associate all of the specific data being recorded for you. It is kept anonymous, so it is a great feature because it keeps the data safe and in the cloud if anything were to happen to your device.
Cost: Free
Recommended for any level of musicians, whether it is a Secondary student managing free time for practicing or a University Student struggling to handle essays, projects, theory, midterms, and trying to fit in practicing on top of it all. KeepTrack allows you to record all kinds of miscellaneous statistics. You can track your weekly results for practicing to make sure that you are not lying to yourself, and KeepTrack also uses a variety of graphics such as graphs, pie charts, and lists. Access to a Gmail or E-mail account is required. KeepTrack keeps your data on a cloud, and as well can associate all of the specific data being recorded for you. It is kept anonymous, so it is a great feature because it keeps the data safe and in the cloud if anything were to happen to your device.
Autoflip
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/autoflip-sheet-music-viewer/id413455877?mt=8
For iPad
Cost: $5.79
This has to be one of the most innovative and interesting ideas for musicians yet. It unfortunately has not been developed for all types of instruments yet, mainly it is intended for keyboard users. Music can get very complicated and it is frustrating when the flow of the piece is lost due to an inconvenient page turn. Autoflip becomes your page turner for you. It will actually read your music and listen to your performance and will quickly switch to the next page to keep your performance smooth and uninterrupted. You can also customize some settings on whether you want it to turn the page a few bars earlier or later. It overall is a great idea to an app, and hopefully they will develop it for other instruments. One concern that one may have is to be careful of the PDF that is scanned onto the iPad; sometimes it will be quite small and difficult to read in Portrait Mode.
For iPad
Cost: $5.79
This has to be one of the most innovative and interesting ideas for musicians yet. It unfortunately has not been developed for all types of instruments yet, mainly it is intended for keyboard users. Music can get very complicated and it is frustrating when the flow of the piece is lost due to an inconvenient page turn. Autoflip becomes your page turner for you. It will actually read your music and listen to your performance and will quickly switch to the next page to keep your performance smooth and uninterrupted. You can also customize some settings on whether you want it to turn the page a few bars earlier or later. It overall is a great idea to an app, and hopefully they will develop it for other instruments. One concern that one may have is to be careful of the PDF that is scanned onto the iPad; sometimes it will be quite small and difficult to read in Portrait Mode.
Vocal Warm Up
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/vocal-warm-up-by-musicopoulos/id467571560?mt=8
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Cost: $4.59
Any musician can use this app, because it is important to be able to have some idea of how to sing, whether it is singing saxophone music or singing from a score or even just sight singing in general. A warm up is always important, especially for those who are shy, because it strengthens your vocal chords and can give you the confidence you need to sing out. Vocal Warm Up is a simple tool that provides a list of different warm ups that you can choose from day to day. Each warm up is created for a specific reason: a Short Warm Up, General Warm Up to cover all of the basics, an Extended Warm Up to increase stamina, and of course, a Cool Down. You can customize your range so that the warm ups keep you in your comfortable zone, and then modify them if you want to challenge yourself. Some examples of the warm ups are scales, vowel sounds, etc. You can also set the app up to have a daily routine for warm ups, or even create your own warm ups. It is a great app, and there are many options to choose from to help improve all aspects of the voice.
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Cost: $4.59
Any musician can use this app, because it is important to be able to have some idea of how to sing, whether it is singing saxophone music or singing from a score or even just sight singing in general. A warm up is always important, especially for those who are shy, because it strengthens your vocal chords and can give you the confidence you need to sing out. Vocal Warm Up is a simple tool that provides a list of different warm ups that you can choose from day to day. Each warm up is created for a specific reason: a Short Warm Up, General Warm Up to cover all of the basics, an Extended Warm Up to increase stamina, and of course, a Cool Down. You can customize your range so that the warm ups keep you in your comfortable zone, and then modify them if you want to challenge yourself. Some examples of the warm ups are scales, vowel sounds, etc. You can also set the app up to have a daily routine for warm ups, or even create your own warm ups. It is a great app, and there are many options to choose from to help improve all aspects of the voice.
Looper & Loopy (Same Type, Different OS)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appotica.loopr&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/app/loopy-hd/id467923185?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
For Android ; iPhone and iPad, respectively
Cost: Free; $ 3.99, respectively
This app is just something that allows musicians to take a break away from just reading music and just have some fun. It is a great app for those who are lonely and want to play in an ensemble. Now, with these two similar apps, YOU can become the ensemble. Looper and Loopy apps allow the user to record one voice for a specific amount of time (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 32 bars) and then keep that voice constantly looping in the background. After the first voice is recorded, the user may layer many other voices on top of it to create their own looping ensemble, prolonging the sound for as long as they want. These apps are a great way to branch out from regular sheet music and allow you to use your ear and creativity and even compose!
https://itunes.apple.com/app/loopy-hd/id467923185?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
For Android ; iPhone and iPad, respectively
Cost: Free; $ 3.99, respectively
This app is just something that allows musicians to take a break away from just reading music and just have some fun. It is a great app for those who are lonely and want to play in an ensemble. Now, with these two similar apps, YOU can become the ensemble. Looper and Loopy apps allow the user to record one voice for a specific amount of time (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 32 bars) and then keep that voice constantly looping in the background. After the first voice is recorded, the user may layer many other voices on top of it to create their own looping ensemble, prolonging the sound for as long as they want. These apps are a great way to branch out from regular sheet music and allow you to use your ear and creativity and even compose!
Self-Help Anxiety Management (SAM)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uwe.myoxygen&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/self-help-for-anxiety-management/id666767947?mt=8
For Android & Google Devices, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Cost: Free
Everyone gets stressed in school, and Music can be especially stressful. For those who have the same feelings, SAM is a good idea to get for your overall well-being. It has a very calming layout and takes all the stresses and franticness that one may feel when they are anxious. It can help you track your record of anxiety, but what I found the most important when using it at first was the “Help for anxiety NOW” button. It automatically prompts you and calmly writes to you, and then provides exercises to lower your stress, such as Calm Breathing, Change the Focus, or my favourite, Picture Peace. It lets you colour in a black and white photo and surprisingly, it makes you feel better. These quick exercises are good for any feelings of nervousness, so for a musician, that would definitely be performance anxiety. I appreciate this app’s qualities a lot.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/self-help-for-anxiety-management/id666767947?mt=8
For Android & Google Devices, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Cost: Free
Everyone gets stressed in school, and Music can be especially stressful. For those who have the same feelings, SAM is a good idea to get for your overall well-being. It has a very calming layout and takes all the stresses and franticness that one may feel when they are anxious. It can help you track your record of anxiety, but what I found the most important when using it at first was the “Help for anxiety NOW” button. It automatically prompts you and calmly writes to you, and then provides exercises to lower your stress, such as Calm Breathing, Change the Focus, or my favourite, Picture Peace. It lets you colour in a black and white photo and surprisingly, it makes you feel better. These quick exercises are good for any feelings of nervousness, so for a musician, that would definitely be performance anxiety. I appreciate this app’s qualities a lot.