Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Rhythm reading apps for smartphones/tablets

I'm looking for rhythm reading apps that could be used by students outside of lessons as an additional tool to strengthen their rhythm reading.

Do you have any favorite rhythm reading apps? As teachers have you found this idea useful, or difficult?

I searched this topic on the forum, and the most recent information I found was from a year ago (a long time for anything technology related). The search indicated "Rhythm Sight Reading Trainer" was an option some have tried. Any experiences with this app?

Thanks!

The ABRSM Aural Trainer includes rhythm. It is not free although there is a free 'lite' version which might be OK for beginners starting out.

There is an iPhone version, don't know about Android.

What about "Basic Rhythmic training by Robert Starer, and also his advanced book. What does an apps do that a book and piano can't do?

"Why Little Timmy Can't Read"

Now available on DVD

Like it or not the answer is an app appeals more to young people and is more, err, mobile, convenient or socially acceptable. Read about generation X or the digital generation, but even that is now out of date! My two year old granddaughter knows 'swipe', 'pinch' gestures on smartphones, also basic navigation, stop, start of video (example you tube) controls, and use of the physical buttons on an iPhone or an Android. I'm not saying I like it, encourage or approve, but it just is.

That's exactly what I've encountered. I don't want to use an app instead of traditional means... but if there is something that can benefit my students I'll view that as a positive thing.

Thanks!

Checking that one out... it looks like the ABRSM uses an exam system divided into nine levels (including prep)? It looks like the aural training app is geared for the first five levels?

Kind of like Michael, I am still looking for a MUSICAL reason in your post.

You also do not mention how your granddaughter feels about, and uses, books. (Rhetorical question . . .)

The musical reason I'm looking for as a teacher is for students to spend some more time studying their music in addition to their traditional studies.

If the technology draw of an app can encourage the student to work more diligently at home, then perhaps it can help their learning. That's my hope - but I haven't used apps in my teaching yet.

Why does the post have to be "Musical" in nature?

The description of the forum clearly states:

"For Piano Teacher's. Discuss lesson plans, teaching techniques, handling students, fees, methods, books, etc."

Isn't the discussion of rhythm apps or apps used by music teacher's in general covered by "teaching techniques"?

Hello, Carlos, and welcome to the Forums.

That is an excellent question, and I am very glad that you asked; even though I am having trouble thinking how to even start to answer.

Music is (or should be) at the very heart of what we do. Whether one is a teacher, a student, a player, a (piano) technician, a conductor, an instrument builder, a retailer, a music publisher, or a recording engineer, music had better be the center-focus of our work. The "teaching techniques" of which you write, are of absolutely no use if they do not effectively foster better musicians, and hence, better music.

Above, Michael suggests using one of the tried-and-true texts with which many music teachers and their students have experienced success. He then asks the more-than-less rhetorical question about a software application’s advantages. (Remember, we are discussing MUSIC, and the teaching thereof.)

SpanishBuddha does list several differences between the book and the software program:
** Greater appeal for youngsters.
** Greater mobility (I do not agree there is much, if any, difference here.)
** Greater convenience (I am not certain about this one either.)
** More socially accepted among youngsters.

I am simply pointing out that, while some of these “advantages” might actually be valid, not one of them is a MUSICAL advantage. It is sort of like the mother who chooses her child’s music studio based upon the lighting in the rest room and the coffee machine in the waiting area.

Ed

Your premise seems to be that something new must be unacceptable unless it has some clear musical advantage. The musical value and the goals are the same as with a book. If it only accomplishes the same musical goals as a book but has greater apeal to the student and therefore the student spends more time with it, then it has usefullness.

I understand the whole Luddite sentiment. But I can't make smartphones and tablets go away. So I choose to acknowledge - and yes even embrace - a changing world.

Steering the topic back to the original question: how about some more rhythm reading apps? Anybody? So far there's only been one suggested.

Check out RhythmLab for ipad. Great app!

I do not now, nor have I ever, argued that spending more time with musical materials or studies was not "useful". You are absolutely right that IF a student will use a good software program, but NOT a book, then using the software program should be encouraged. No disagreement there.

If my proverbial mother will take her children to a studio where they do have espresso in the waiting area, but NOT to a teacher who does not, then certainly, for those non-musical reasons, the cafe-studio is to be "preferred".

Ed

An app offers instant feedback to the student. There is not the risk of practicing incorrectly between lessons as can sometimes happen by relying on a book alone.

Apps can help teach reading and encourage an interest in books. My preschooler has learn to read independently and an interest in the words he sees in electronic media are a big part of what has motivated him to learn.

Apps enhance, not replace traditional learning and communication methods, much in the way this forum does!

Well said.

Ok thanks.

So -- are we certain that is the best way to learn?


If you stop to think about it, I'll bet not even you believes this to be true.

Ed

I don't know the answer to this, but a well documented difference between generations is that generation X expect and respond to instant feedback, appraisal, and gratification. So the answer for younger people may be 'yes'.

Ed, here I am torn. I find myself both agreeing with you (because I do not like gimmicks - think of "Piano in a Flash" - but also pondering the idea.

I think there are analogies we can make between fine athletes and the very top players (music). Like it or not playing the piano is a very physical thing, and one thing something like tennis and playing the piano has I common is repetitive motion problems.

Tennis players have elbow, shoulder and knee problems. And hip. Jimmy Conners had to have a hip replacement somewhere around 2006. Nadal was side-lined for many months because of a serious knee injury. He is only 26, I believe.

If you will bear with me a moment, to extend the analogy: there are ball machines. That is technology. Then there are the composite rackets and knew string technology, faster shots, more spin. The top players are frighteningly good, strong and powerful.

I do notice something very similar going on in the "piano world". You have young virtuoso after virtuoso tearing through horribly difficult music as if it is nothing. I do not think interpretation has improved and in fact would argue that it may have suffered due to too much emphasis on perfection and not enough on more musical parts of playing, but that is another discussion...

The metronome itself is like an ap. Maybe a "pre-ap". So creating a something that goes beep beep instead of tick tock may or may not be an improvement, and so on. But playing with a rhythm machine may or may not steady down tempo for players who are a bit weak, and it might also give an improviser the freedom to experiment while still knowing that when he (or she gets with a real rhythm section, it is going to work.

My grandchildren are so good with swiping and clicking that I find it somewhat intimidating. I once had a teen, looking at me, text his mother at almost the speed I can touch type - but with only two index fingers.

So my slightly conservative stance is to look at aps and programs and devices and computer games with a good deal of suspicion re any kind of true education, but I also use them myself and would be lost without them. Take away my cell phone and I could not walk at night, score in hand, while helping a former student who lives hundreds of miles away with cell in pocket and blue tooth freeing up hands.

Color me "technology neutral". Some things kill thinking and concentration, others enhance both.

It's complicated...