Three MUST-HAVE Apps for Your Studio

Pitch flashcards are a thing of the past thanks to Flashnote Derby.

Rhythm Swing keeps students occupied for a full 30 minutes during Off Bench Time teaching rhythmic concepts with engaging tutorials and drills.

Dragon Scales challenges students to spell scales before the dragon conquers the knight.

They all offer SO much more than edutainment!

Why focus on these three apps?

Let me explain by giving you the backstory…

I offer Off Bench Time in my studio. It’s the perfect time to reinforce what I teach on the bench.

It doesn’t require a lot of space to add this component to YOUR lessons. You don't even need a keyboard, you can use your acoustic piano! If you do want a MIDI keyboard so students can play games with headphones but, don't' have the space, this gal is using a small the XKey Portable Keyboard.

I could not offer Off Bench Time without engaging apps like Flashnote Derby, Rhythm Swing and Dragon Scales—which, unfortunately may not be available any more, sorry.

I want YOU to learn all about them. For these reasons, I made a point of contacting Luke Bartolomeo, the developer of the apps.

In the video below, you'll hear how fellow piano teacher Luke, developed these apps because he saw the need for appealing apps that reinforce music concepts and has always liked video games. He steps through the process of how each app works.

It's definitely worth your time if you are not sure how apps can benefit your teaching and keep students happy and learning at the same time. I'm particularly excited about the new features just added to Flashnote Derby.

Here are the show notes which I quickly jotted down during the interview...

Show Notes

Learn about the new features of a favorite pitch recognition app called Flashnote Derby. See how the app Rhythm Swing teaches rhythm reading and learn how Dragon Scales builds scale playing skills and connects with students of all ages.

Rhythm Swing

For iOS only. App that teaches basic note values, rests and rhythm reading. Released a year ago. The app is divided into Basic Notes, Rest, and Eighth notes. Additional levels are planned for the future.

Three modes Learn: Interactive videos giving instruction on note values and how to play the app. Practice: Provides sample exercises which are perfect for using in a lesson. Play: Exercises are given and students try to keep the monkey from the alligator by playing correct rhythms--perfect during Off Bench Time. All exercises add melody to the rhythm and a backing track as the students play so it’s engaging and musically pleasing.

Tip: Ear icon on the right hand upper corner will play the rhythm if the student wants to hear it.

Tips on Settings: You can turn off the pointer and it will reappear if student is off the beat. Measure highlighting is an option if you the student needs help with tracking. Required Accuracy can be changed so it’s not too difficult for first time players.

The Boss Stage: Like many other video games, this stage “makes it real” with much longer exercises.

Both Rhythm Swing and Flashnote Derby are iPhone friendly--great for students when they are on the road.

FYI

Rhythm Swing is a major part of my Rhythm Make it Count resource. If you are interested in learning more about how to integrate apps, reinforce concepts and add more quality time to lessons, take a closer look at Rhythm Make it Count. It will show you how to design engaging activities to reinforce rhythm concepts on and off the bench. Learn more here.

Flashnote Derby

Multi-platform friendly.

Happy 5th anniversary! Version three just came out at the beginning of 2017.

Treble, Bass, Alto and Tenor Clef drills are available.

Mistakes are reviewed after the race is completed letting students know what notes they missed.

Tips for Settings Gear You can determine how many questions or tap “All selected” so that all notes that you select for the exercise are answered. The time can be changed for how long students have to answer: Trot, Gallop… Answer methods vary: onscreen piano, letter button, piano letters, listen mode.

NEW! The listen mode will hear the student play the pitches on an acoustic piano. Sensitivity setting is important—make sure to adjust if needed.

NEW! There's a MIDI option—this is perfect for those who want students to complete drills in the music studio with head phones. That would be me!

You can change the arrangement of alphabet letters to begin with C rather than A.

There’s an option for Solfege.

Two themes are available right now but, stay tuned for more.

Instructional videos give ideas on how to teach pitch reading. I GREATLY appreciate these!

Grand staff flash cards are available on the iPad so students get used to recognizing a note on the grand staff and not just on a single staff.

In the presets, you can create your own drills and send them to students.

NEW: you can set up Multiple User accounts and the app will track progress for each student.

Internet is required to download the exercises emailed from the teacher. Once they are downloaded, internet is not required.

Dragon Scales—not supported at this time

This is a niche app that will have future versions. Students are asked to play scales correctly on an on-screen keyboard. This will help the knight slay the dragon and find the treasure.

There are presets for different tests.

Students of all ages like this "quirky" yet much-needed app.

Luke is happy to hear from you and can be reached at support@flashnote.com. Thanks again to Luke for making three apps I couldn't teach without!