Favorite Music App for February

Rhythm is one of the most important elements of music. Without correct rhythmic patterns, groups of musicians will sound like a noisy mess instead of a polished ensemble. Musicians with a solid understanding of rhythm experience great success when they join with other musicians to make music.

There are three essential elements to mastering rhythm. First, musicians must develop the skill of keeping a steady beat. With practice, students learn to play a consistent speed throughout an entire song instead of playing faster in easier parts and slower in harder parts. Second, students must learn to identify note names and their assigned rhythmic values. Third, students must develop the skill of counting out loud to reflect the steady beat and rhythmic patterns. This skill becomes increasingly important as students play with other musicians. In order to play at the same time as other musicians, students must be able to identify where beat 1, beat 2, beat 3, and beat 4 lie in each measure. Below is a favorite app to help students develop their foundations in rhythm.

Rhythm Cat

The Rhythm Cat app is an entertaining app that helps students practice the basics of rhythm. Students learn to read some of the most commonly used music rhythms. The colorful animations and interesting soundtracks keep students engaged as they develop important rhythm skills. Players are given immediate feedback as they finish each level. The rhythm sensor is fairly sensitive as it records students’ taps, which helps students learn to be precise as they listen to the beat of the soundtrack.

This app offers various levels of practice, from basic to advanced. The Rhythm Cat Lite version, which is free, offers 15 levels of rhythmic practice.   The Rhythm Cat Pro version, which can be purchased for $4.99, has four “stages.” Each “stage” includes 15 levels with increasingly complex rhythmic skills.  Click here to download Rhythm Cat and start developing rhythmic skills that will enhance your musicianship.

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