Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Developing Strong Note Reading Skills, Part 3: Apps

3/20/2017

0 Comments

 
As a follow-up to my previous posts on teaching note reading (see HERE and HERE), I thought I would share the iPad apps I use to work on note reading with my students. Apps are a great way for students to drill note reading, both in lessons and at home.

I have included the current price of each app, as well as the pros and cons of each that I have discovered while using these with my students.

Flashnote Derby ($4.99): this is first note reading app I ever purchased. At the time, the app was $.99; however it is now a bit pricier and offers more features than the original version I purchased a few years ago.
  • Pros: My favorite thing about this app is that it is easy to customize with the notes your student is learning. For example, you can drill only space notes, or only landmark notes. The newer version of this app also offers the option to play notes on the piano instead of tapping the screen, as well as student progress reports.
  • Cons: Because this game is timed, it can be frustrating for some students. The graphics and sounds can also be distracting for young students. This is also the most expensive of the apps in my review.

Note Rush ($3.99): this is my most recent app purchase.
  • Pros: The biggest feature of Note Rush is that students play the given note on the piano and the app detects whether or not the note is correct. This is a great way to drill note-key recognition. There is also no time limit on naming notes, and students are given a hint if they don't play the given note right away.
  • Cons: Although there are five levels in Note Rush, there is not a way to customize the app to drill specific notes. Some students also find some of the background themes distracting (although there is a plain background to choose from as well).  

Tenuto ($3.99): this is an ideal app for middle school through adult students.
  • Pros: There are no graphics or sounds to distract young students. The app also includes other theory activities too, such as naming intervals or key signatures. All of the exercises are available for free online at www.musictheory.net so you can preview the app before you purchase.
  • Cons: Tenuto is not as customizable as Flashnote Derby, although you can select a limited range of notes on the staff to name. The app is not as “kid-friendly” as some of the others (both in appearance and in ease of manipulating the app settings).

Music for Little Mozarts ($.99): this app coordinates with the "Music for Little Mozarts" series of books for ages 4-6.
  • Pros: This app contains several activities appropriate to preschool students, and it is easy to switch to other activities when a young student's attention span wanes. The app isn't timed, so students have time to think about each note.
  • Cons: Although there are several levels of note naming, there is no way to customize the app to only name specific notes. This app also might be a bit "babyish" for older students.
 
What do you think? What are your experiences with any of these apps? Are there other apps you use to help your students with note reading? Please leave a comment below!


0 Comments

Introducing: "Rock On! Volume 2"!

3/10/2017

0 Comments

 
It has been an exciting week! Not only were two of my digital collections re-released in hardcopy (see my announcement about that HERE), but my newest collection was released too!
Picture

"Rock On! Volume 2" features nine solos for the intermediate student in a variety of pop and rock styles.

Click HERE to see and hear the music from this book!
0 Comments

New Hardcopy Releases!

3/7/2017

0 Comments

 
I am excited to share that two of my digital collections available from the Composers Community at Piano Pronto have now been released in hard copy!

"Rock On!" features early intermediate level pieces in a variety of pop and rock styles, from ballads to punk to blues.

"Let's Quest!" features late beginner solos and duets inspired by video games.

​Click on the covers to read more about either of these books!

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Summer
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email or contacting me HERE through my website. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2023 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.