Online 2013

iPads in Music Education Session 4Katie WardrobeMidnight Music

Notation 4

App options 4

Getting started with Notion 4

Creating a new score 4

Key signature and time signature 4

Inputting notes 5

Adding dynamics and articulation 5

Playback 5

Copy and paste 5

Importing scores 5

Exporting scores 6

Tutorials and manual 6

Score Reading and Lead Sheets On The iPad 6

iPad as a !ling-cabinet or portable library 6

Two types of score viewers 6

Getting scores on to your iPad 7

Apps 7

Ear training - pitch and rhythm drills 8

Tips for use 8

Karajan 8

Right Note 9

Ear Trainer 9

Tenuto 9

Play by Ear 10

Rhythm Cat Pro 10

APS Tuning Trainer 10

Literacy - note reading 11

Noteworks 11

Treble Cat 11

Treble Game (Sheet Music Treble) 12

Music theory and reference 12

Tenuto 12

Nota 12

Music Tools Music Dictionary 13

Music Theory For Beginners (Music Room/Music Sales) 13

iHarmony 13

Learning about classical music and the orchestra 14

The Orchestra 14

My First Classical Music App 14

Mozart Interactive 14

Musician’s toolkit apps 15

Metronome 15

Tuner 15

An all-in-one toolkit 15

Warm-ups for singers 15

Transcription tool 15

Song Search 16

Guitar chord library 16

Ukelele chord library 16

Homework 16

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Notation

App options

In the past there were two main contenders when it came to notation apps on the iPad: Notion and Symphony Pro, however Symphony Pro has mysteriously disappeared from the app store and have proved unreliable with updates and tech support.

Notion ($15.99) is the only serious made-for-iPad app at the moment: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/notion/id475820434?mt=8

Notion also have a desktop version of their program too.

Another option is the online notation program Note!ight (right). Note!ight are about to release version 3.0 which is optimised for mobile devices.

There is a free membership option for Note!ight but there are limited features.

There are paid plans for teachers and their students ranging from $95 per year for 75 students to $295 per year for up to 375 students.

More information here: http://www.note!ight.com/info/learn_more_k12

Getting started with Notion

Creating a new score

• Tap the New score icon on the opening screen

• In the next window, select the instruments you need in your score and give you piece a title. There are some free instrument options and some extra paid options (in-app purchase)

• Tap OK

• Your empty score will open

Key signature and time signature

You can add or change the key signature and time signature once the score is open:

• Tap on the Time Signature button on the toolbar4

• Select the time signature button, choose your settings and then tap OK

Inputting notes

• Tap on the bar you want to enter notes into (a green shaded area will appear)

• Tap on the rhythmic value option on the toolbar

• Select the rhythmic value you need and then play the pitch of the note on the keyboard.

• If you make a mistake, tap the Undo button (circular arrow pointing left)

• Continue entering notes this way: by selecting rhythm, then pitch, rhythm, pitch

Adding dynamics and articulation

• Tap a note and then tap the Articulation button on the toolbar

• Choose the articulation you need from the sub-menu that appears.

Playback

• Press the Rewind to Start button and then the play button at the bottom of the screen to hear you score playback from the beginning

• You can also tap any note in your score and then tap the play button to hear it playback from that point onwards

Copy and paste

In order to copy and paste music you "rst need to select a bar or two:

• Tap the "rst note and then tap on the Select button on the toolbar (or double-tap on the note). A shaded purple region will appear and you can adjust the size of the selected area by dragging the handles at either end.

• Once you’ve selected a region, tap the Copy button

• Double-tap the bar you want the material to go to and choose Paste

You can use the same method to delete a passage of music.

Importing scores

• Notion can open the following "le types: .notion, MIDI, MusicXML.

• You can import "les from Dropbox: open the Dropbox app, select the score and choose “Open in Notion” from the menu

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• You can also use the "le-sharing area in iTunes to import scores from your computer. Once you have synched your iPad, the score/s will appear on Notion’s homescreen

Exporting scores

• You can get scores off your iPad by emailing them to yourself as a Notion score, a MIDI "le, a PDF or a Music XML "le (Music XML is the best format for transferring "les between Sibelius/Finale and Notion)

• You can also save your scores directly into Dropbox and then access them in Dropbox on your computer

Tutorials and manual

There are a few tutorial videos on Youtube which can be accessed from with the app. There’s also a manual within the app as well.

Score Reading and Lead Sheets On The iPad

iPad as a "ling-cabinet or portable library

• Store electronic versions of scores

• Carry your music library with you at all times

• Use during rehearsals/gigs: create set lists, setup “cuts” and repeats

• Play your scores: transpose, mute parts, change tempo

Two types of score viewers

• Proprietary notation apps by Sibelius (Avid Scorch), Finale (Finale Songbook) and MuseScore (MuseScore Viewer)

• Specialised PDF score readers or lead-sheet readers

Proprietary apps (ie. ones that are made by notation software companies) are only useful for viewing scores created in those desktop programs. For instance, you can only view Sibelius scores using the Avid Scorch app. None of these apps allow editing of notes in any way. They only allow playback of the score and parts, although there is some !exibility and playback options.

These apps are de"nitely worth getting if you create a lot of your own arrangements in any of those programs.

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Specialised PDF score readers allow you to view any score that is in a PDF format. They allow annotation, set up of repeats for ease of page turning, import of audio "les and more.

The app best option here is forScore (see right).

Getting scores on to your iPad

Step 1: Make sure your score is in a digital format. Options:

• Scan your paper scores – make into PDFs

• Save Sibelius, Finale or MuseScore "les as PDFs or use their score-reading apps

Step 2: Transfer scores from computer to iPad/iPhone

• Option A: Plug the iPad into your computer, open iTunes. Select your device on the left. Go to the Apps tab, scroll down to "le sharing area. Select the appropriate app in list on left (ie. ForScore), then use Add button to add "les, or drag "les onto "les area

• Option B: Use Dropbox – install Dropbox on your computer and install the Dropbox app on your mobile device. On your computer, drag "les into Dropbox. They will magically appear in your Dropbox app on your iPad (you need to be connected to the internet for them to sync). View the "le in Dropbox and then use the “open in” button to select an appropriate app.

Lead-Sheet apps like OnSong allow you to view lead sheets (lyrics and chords), but there are some useful extra features:

• transpose the chords with the touch of a button

• set the song tempo so that lyrics and chords scroll automatically down the screen

• tap on a chord symbol to see how to play it on guitar, ukelele or keyboard

• save songs in Set Lists

• play backing tracks - songs from your iTunes library

• download new songs via the app

• enter your own songs from scratch

• share Onsong format "les with your band members

• project scrolling lyrics for your own karaoke show!

Apps

• ForScore $5.49 http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/forscore/id363738376?mt=8

• Avid Scorch (Sibelius scores), $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avid-scorch/id436394592?mt=8

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• Finale Songbook (Finale scores), Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/"nale-songbook/id529531809?mt=8

• MuseScore Viewer (MuseScore scores), $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/musescore-sheet-music-viewer/id442702245?mt=8

• OnSong (lead sheets), $8.49 https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/onsong/id502344938?mt=8

• Dropbox, Free http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8

Ear training - pitch and rhythm drills

Tips for use

• If you are working in a one-iPad classroom, some of these apps are suitable to use with the class as a group

• You can also use in rotation with other activities or while students are waiting for something

• If students are working on a communal set of iPads, be aware that not many apps allow you to set up and track multiple users

• Always check the app settings: by default, many are set to a medium or fast playback speed which maybe too fast for younger or inexperienced students. Also check content settings and choose the most appropriate input options

Karajan

Price: $15.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/karajan-music-ear-trainer/id284444548?mt=8

• One of the most extensive (and expensive!) ear training apps

• Enter answer by tapping the multi choice option on left, or play answer in using keyboard or fretboard

• No option to sing or play instrument to submit answer. On-screen buttons only

• Has pitch testing (no orientation key is given) and tempo testing, plus intervals, chords, scales and key signatures

• Tempo testing only gives 4 beats (sounds) before you are expected to answer

• Practice mode available

• Multiple levels: beginner through to pro"cient

• Can create customised levels

• Some incorrect spelling issues (chords - see image above: minor triad on D !at...)

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• Uses “prime” for unison intervals

Right Note

Price: $7.49 (Lite/free version also available)

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/right-note-ear-trainer/id427276222?mt=8

• Pretty good - I tested the Lite version

• Categories of exercises include identify intervals, intervals in context, pitch (repeat a given pitch), melody (repeat a melody)

• Feedback: if you give a wrong answer, the app plays your version so you can hear the difference between it and the correct version. There is a “retry” option and a “show answer” option too

• You can play or sing answers via microphone input, or submit answer using on-screen buttons or keyboard mic input,

• Includes lessons as well as drills

Ear Trainer

Price: $7.49 (Lite/Free version also available)

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ear-trainer/id358733250?mt=8

• Multiple choice answers only - ie. tap a button on the screen to identify the largest interval out of two options

• Gives visual feedback on stave and on keyboard

• No option to play or sing answers

• No option to play answers on on-screen keyboard

Tenuto

Price: $4.49

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tenuto/id459313476?mt=8

• Theory and ear-training exercises from Ricci Adams’s Music Theory Online website

• Very limited ear training exercises

• No pause between each exercise

• Slowest setting is still pretty quick for some exercises (intervals)

• No feedback about incorrect answers9

Play by Ear

Price: Free

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/play-by-ear-ear-training/id361203621?mt=8

• Imitation of intervals, chords or melodies

• Can play in answers on your instrument using mic input (includes transposing instruments)

• Doesn’t work well with singing

• No clef given on stave

• You can show or hide the "rst note

• Indicates wrong/right notes but doesn’t show correct answer or play it again

Rhythm Cat Pro

Price: $2.99 (non-HD version only at the moment; Lite/Free version also available)

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/rhythm-cat-pro/id502479679?mt=8

• Play a notated rhythm by tapping a button on iPad

• Looks attractive - nice graphic design

• Quality songs and instrumental pieces to play along with

• Some oddities - time sig on every system (maybe I’m overly fussy!)

• Doesn’t always register a correct answer when you’re tapping

APS Tuning Trainer

Price: $1.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/a.p.s.-tuning-trainer/id552848024?mt=8

• Practice hearing and identifying sharp/!at sounds

• A functional app, but not particularly pretty to look at!

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Literacy - note reading

Noteworks

Price: $5.49

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/noteworks/id546003758?mt=8

• Very attractive looking

• One of the only apps that allows you to set up multiple users within the game

• Second chance for incorrect answers

• Lots of customisation possible (treble or bass clef, solfege, note names, keyboard - see image, right)

Treble Cat

Price: $2.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/treble-cat-hd-1/id513764898?mt=8

• By the makers of Rhythm Cat - similar in look and feel

• In each level: “for the next 60 seconds, collect all the _ notes”

• Shows note names the "rst time they’re introduced. Note names don’t show on subsequent levels

• Higher levels have two staves in operation at once

Also available: Bass Cat $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bass-cat/id556522531?mt=8

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Treble Game (Sheet Music Treble)

Price: $5.49 (but redemption available for teachers via email)

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/sheet-music-treble-game/id384121287?mt=8

• Not worth the money. Plain and boring screen, layout not good

• Turn the annoying sound off before you play

• Would be OK if free

• Also available: Sheet Music Bass

Music theory and reference

Tenuto

Price: $4.49

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tenuto/id459313476?mt=8

• As above (see ear training apps)

• Theory and ear-training exercises from Ricci Adams’s Music Theory Online site

• Theory drills (silent) - key sig, intervals, notes, chords, fretboard

• Calculators - accidentals, intervals, chords, analysis, 12 tone matrix

Nota

Price: $2.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/nota-for-ipad/id365724129?mt=8

• Fairly basic

• Chords, scales and notes reference (ie. choose major add9, play a C and it will show you C add9 chord)

• Includes a dictionary (not great de"nitions)

• Includes a quiz for note names on staff12

Music Tools Music Dictionary

$2.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/musictools-music-dictionary/id344920107?mt=8

• Untested by me

• Basic music dictionary

Music Theory For Beginners (Music Room/Music Sales)

Price: $2.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-theory-for-beginners/id435161137?mt=8

• Aimed at young students

• Very attractive, bright

• Includes lessons (teaches concepts) and quizzes

• 22 lessons in total - text-heavy, but presented well

• Teacher mode allows you to unlock all levels

iHarmony

Price: $0.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/iharmony/id292413210?mt=8

• Reference for chords and scales

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Learning about classical music and the orchestra

A few good apps that are useful when teaching students about classical music and/or the orchestra:

The Orchestra

Price: $14.99

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-orchestra/id560078788?mt=8

• For students of all ages

• Excellent quality audio and video recordings of Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Philharmonia

• View video from different angles, the conductor, the score (in both traditional notation and graphic notation styles), see 360-degree views of orchestral instruments and watch instrumentalists explain and demonstrate their instruments. And there’s more!

My First Classical Music App

Price $5.49

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/my-"rst-classical-music-app/id470865535?mt=8

• Good for primary school students

• A lovely interactive version of the bok

• Includes historical information, instrument examples, audio examples and beautiful illustrations

• Also available: My First Orchestra App, $5.49 https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/my-"rst-orchestra-app-hd/id568583429?mt=8

Mozart Interactive

Price: Free

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/mozart-interactive/id499372535?mt=8

• By the makers of the Melody Street website

• Good for young primary school students

• Interactive video in which you “arrange” Mozart’s Rondo All Turca by choosing different instruments

• Limited use...

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Musician’s toolkit apps

A basic set of apps that every musician needs!

Metronome

Metronome+ $1.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/metronome+/id434136233?mt=8

• Adjust tempo, meter, playback sound, accents, subdivisions of the beat

Tuner

Cleartune $4.49

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/cleartune-chromatic-tuner/id286799607?mt=8

An all-in-one toolkit

APS MusicMaster Pro $9.49 (sale price)

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/a.p.s.-musicmaster-pro/id441595661?mt=8

• Perfect for ensemble directors

• Includes a metronome, tuner, "ngering charts, instrument ranges and transposition, a note "le, internet access from within the app, pitchpipe, stopwatch, circle of 5ths and a PDF viewer.

Warm-ups for singers

Vocal warm-ups $5.49

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/vocal-warm-up-by-musicopoulos/id467571560?mt=8

Transcription tool

Anytune Pro HQ $15.99

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/anytune-pro-hq-slow-down-music/id478293637?mt=8

[the other option: the Amazing Slowdowner - pales into comparison. Same price]

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Song Search

Shazam, Free http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/shazam/id284993459?mt=8

Soundhound, Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundhound/id355554941?mt=8

Guitar chord library

7 Chords, $1.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-chords/id291618376?mt=8

Ukelele chord library

Chords4Ukes, $0.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chords4ukes/id419970097?mt=8

Homework

Choose any apps that interest you or that you think would be useful for your classes, download them and have a play!

It can get expensive checking out lots of apps. It’s a good idea to Google the app name and the word “review” at the end to see if you can "nd feedback about it before you purchase. Check the date of the review though - anything older than the current year is probably irrelevant by now.

You can also go to Youtube and see if there are videos of the app you’re considering. A video gives you a much better idea than static images in the iTunes store.

Don’t forget to read the comments in the iTunes store and ask your friends whether they have experience with a speci"c app you’re interested in.

Good luck!

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