Favorite Music App for October

As a teacher, I recognize the important relationship between home practice time and student success in music lessons. I enjoy incorporating technology into students’ practice routines because it provides a convenient and interesting way for students to develop fluency and confidence in reading music. (Isn’t it great that music apps open new opportunities for students to build their talents? They can practice and improve their music skills even without their instrument in their hands!)

This month, our favorite app provides a fun and convenient way for students to improve their music reading skills. As students develop fluency in note-reading, they are able to focus more time and effort on the intricacies of true musicianship instead of being bogged down in the nuts-and-bolts of naming notes. Reading music is an important skill for musicians, but many students grow weary of repetitive note naming drills. Below is a favorite app that many of our students enjoy-it provides a new twist to mundane note naming practice.

Name That Note

The Name That Note app is great for more mature students. This free app offers 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. There are adjustable levels of practice (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) to reflect the learner’s ability level. Students can choose “practice mode” to have a relaxed opportunity to learn their note names. When they are ready for a challenge, they can turn on the “quiz mode” which presents a timer, provides multiple choice options for the correct answer, and keeps a record of the number of correct answers.

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