There are a number of fantastic applications made for the iPhone/iPod Touch that can be used in the Music Classroom.  They cost a few dollars but they are well worth it.

Circle TheoryiHarmonyGuitarToolKitKarajanInstruments in Reach

The few applications mentioned here I have even begun to recommend to my students so that they can purchase them and use in the classroom.  Yes… iPods in the classroom!  I can hear some school officials gasp at the very mention of it.

But when you consider:

1.  How many students own iPods/iPhones

2. The vast array of music, educational and organisational software available for such a low price (compared to textbooks for software licences)

3. That every subject can utilise this medium (e.g. English students can download the entire works of Shakespeare for FREE, or their texts for FREE using a program called “Stanza” – or Language students can download entire methods for learning Japanese, and so on)

The benefits of having such a powerful educational tool in the palm of hand must strike any teacher as incredible.

My music theory students have benefited greatly from “Circle Theory” & “iHarmony” not to mention the fantastic ear training program “Karajan.”  Then, as a Guitar Peripatetic Tutor I have recommended the program Guitar Tool Kit (or the free lite version) to my guitar students.

Stay tuned for coming reviews and if you want to see what these apps are all about just click on the images above and they will take you to their home pages!

Pictures courtesy of http://www.apptism.com/apps/

9 Comments

  1. Hi. I created a metronome that conducts called “Maestro” – It is becoming a lexicon of conducting patterns. I have three styles (Legato, Staccato, and Non-espressivo) of each pattern. Presently the conducting patterns that are in the app are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (2+3), 5 (3+2), 6 (2+2+2), and 6 (3+3). The update I am working on now has all the possible patterns through 9 (3+3+3) and soon I’ll have them through 12 (3+3+3+3). So if you wonder how to conduct a legato 10/4 bar that is (2+3+3+2) you’ll have the solution – also when the tempo increases too high for the legato pattern to be useful, it automatically changes to a unique four pattern with the clicks occurring in the 2+3+3+2 grouping. This works now in the current version with the included patterns.
    There is a Lite version (Maestro Lite) that shows the 3 pattern in all the styles and goes into a 1 pattern when the legato gets too fast.
    There is a conductor’s point of view as well as a orchestra point of view to the patterns so when you practice your part you can follow a “baton” not just a click. Also, if you’re a young conductor you can learn the different patterns.
    I hope you like it.
    Thanks,
    Patrick

  2. @admin
    I’m going well, not doing much aside from working. I’ve been making my own sort of electronic music using Reason under the name White Nausea and other than that just playing some computer games to pass the time.

    It’s amazing how much time school took up! hahaha

  3. admin

    @James R
    That sounds great James.
    I am glad you saw school as such a forming experience 🙂

    Do you think you might post some reason songs you have made here for me?
    I would love to hear and comment on them if that is okay with you.
    I am interested to see how your composition skills have developed since “Four for Guitars.”

  4. admin

    If you click on the icons they will take you directly to their websites.
    It is called iHarmony – and I love it.
    I use it with my harmony students but it lacks some features still like showing major minor chords in upper and lowercase roman numerals, diminished symbols, tone tone semitone spellings etc. Just wait, the reviews with features I like, use or would like to have are coming!

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