7 Best Apps for Music Students

Music apps provide an interactive way for students to develop their music skills. There are a variety of apps available to enhance student learning. Some apps, such as the metronome and the tuner, provide a convenient replacement for carrying a separate device. Other apps offer practice to reinforce important skills such as note reading or rhythm patterns. These practice apps offer a way for students to build their confidence and fluency in music. Since the apps adjust to the student’s learning level and provide immediate feedback, many of our students find these apps help them make progress towards their musical goals. Choose an app that sounds interesting and try it out today!

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.54.05 PM  Pro Metronome

The Pro Metronome app provides a steady beat to help musicians keep a consistent tempo. The user can set the metronome to the desired speed in beats per minute. Additionally, the user can set the metronome tone to their desired preference.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.57.28 PM  Cleartune

The Cleartune app is an instrument tuner that allows musicians to quickly and accurately tune their instrument. This app features a unique “note wheel” interface which allows musicians to quickly find the pitch. It works great for any instrument-violin, cello, guitar, woodwinds, brass, and others. The app is user friendly and includes a variety of helpful features.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.57.42 PM  Rhythm Swing

The Rhythm Swing app helps students develop their rhythms skills. The engaging animation makes this app best suited for elementary age students. The beginning levels teach students to keep a steady beat and the more advanced levels incorporate a variety notes and rests within the rhythm patterns.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.57.55 PM  Music Tutor

The Music Tutor app provides practice with naming notes on the musical staff.  It helps students improve their fluency in reading notes. Students can customize the settings to practice reading treble clef notes, bass clef notes, or both. Each session awards a score to the student so they can see their results and their progress. Click here to read more about the benefits of this app.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.58.09 PM  Staff Wars

The Staff Wars app is great for Star Wars fan. With visual graphics and sound effects reflecting the Star Wars theme, students can customize the settings as they “Select a Mission” to practice reading treble clef notes, bass clef notes, or even alto clef notes. There are adjustable levels of practice to reflect the learner’s ability level. Click here to gain more insights.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.58.23 PM  Name That Note

The Name That Note app is great for more mature students. This free app helps students improve their fluency in reading notes in the treble clef or bass clef. There are adjustable levels of practice (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) to reflect the learner’s ability level. Click here to read a teacher’s perspective on this app.

Screen Shot 2017-01-09 at 1.58.34 PM  Noteworks

The Noteworks app is great for younger students. This free app offers practice with naming notes on the musical staff.  The colorful and engaging animation makes practice fun for younger students. There are adjustable speeds (Slow, Medium, Fast) to adapt to learner’s ability level. Click here to catch a glimpse of how instructors use this app in lessons.

Contributor Kimberly Jones is a wife, mother, and the Director of the Dawson Music Academy at the Dawson Family of Faith.