Useful Music Apps
Whether you are just learning to read music, or you are an advanced musician, there are lots of iPhone, iPad, and Android apps that can help you. And, if you are a teacher, particularly if your students are in the "younger generations," you really need to know your apps.
In 2016 I asked the readers of my monthly e-mail newsletters to send me their favorite apps for musicians, and for those learning to read music. These were featured in my August 2016 newsletter. In March 2019, I decided it was time to update the list. And so, I asked my readers again to send in their favorites and printed their suggestions in the April 2019 newsletter. This list is a compilation of their suggestions.
Some of these apps are free, others cost a few dollars, and many have both free and more complete paid versions.
All of these apps are for iPhones and iPads, and most are also available for Android.
Tuners and Metronomes
Cleartune: an easy-to-use tuner
Tempo: a versatile metronome
Reading Music
Music Tutor: music flash cards
Music Reading Essentials: music flash cards
Music Flash Class: music flash cards
Flashnote Derby: flash card horse race game
Noteworks: flash card game
Timing and Rhythm
Rhythm Calculator: plays rhythms back to you
Rhythm Sight Reading Trainer: improve your sight reading
Rhythm Swing: tap out rhythms in this fun game
Drum School: play along with a large selection of drum grooves
DrumGenius: play along with the greatest drummers in the world and improve your rhythm
Melody Cats Series
Melody Cats are games to learn notes and rhythms with levels that get progressively more challenging.
Treble Cat: learn treble clef notes
Bass Cat: learn bass clef notes
Rhythm Cat: learn basic rhythms
Rhythm Cat 2: learn more advanced rhythms
Ear Cat: develop your musical ear
Comprehensive Apps
Music Theory Pro: identify notes, chords, keys, scales
Tenuto: customize your own exercises for chords and intervals
Modacity: make your practice time more productive.
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Miscellaneous Apps
Musictionary: music dictionary
Ear Worthy: listen and identify notes, scales, chords
Musicians Hypnosis App: helps with stage fright, auditions, confidence
Sheet Music Scanner: scan music and the app plays it for you
Pensato: shows the notes and chords for scales and modes
Anytune: slow down audio without changing the pitch
forScore: scan and read music from your iPad
Notate Me: enter music notation with your finger or stylus on your tablet or phone
Handy Harp: learn about harp pedals and create pedal harp diagrams