App Instruments

With the release of the iPod touch and iPhone in 2007, the world saw a flood of new "apps" (applications) for almost anything you can think of ("there's an app for that").  Within Apple's App Store, there have been several music related apps, some of which have proven to be quite handy in the classroom (see my previous post "Apps for Practicing").  There are other apps that are what I quite simply call "instrument apps," those that simulate real instruments, or are entirely new instruments that function solely within the iDevice OS.  In today's post, I'll be looking at a few that I've come across that could be beneficial for your students to explore in the classroom.

Smule's Ocarina (ocarina.smule.com) was the first instrument app that I downloaded years ago on my iPhone 3g.  It functions the same way a real ocarina would: There are four "holes" that produce various pitches with various combinations, and you have to blow into the microphone end of the iPhone to produce pitch (for iPods without a mic attachment there is the option to produce pitch without blowing).  The ability to record, broadcast, and listen to other ocarina users worldwide is also a very cool way for your students to connect to a global musical network!  The ocarina app is as easy (if not easier) to learn than a traditional recorder would be, so the opportunity to create small iPad ocarina ensembles (or one big one!) is definitely possible.  The ocarina can be programmed to play in any key, in any mode.  This could be a cool way to learn about different scales and tonalities.  It would also be a great way to introduce the culture and music of the Native people who use traditional ocarina instruments.

Also by Smule is Leaf Trombone World Stage.  This app is geared more towards individual performers.  A simple accompaniment plays on the left of the screen, while the trombone leaf slider appears on the right.  The user moves the slide as the "notes"(leaves) apear on the left.  The performer must position the slide as to line up with the leaves.  A plus and minus button allow the player to change octaves.  Like Ocarina, you can blow into the mic or turn on touch mode.  The songs are user based, so sometimes they aren't very good.  Another downfall to the app is the difficulty of tuning the trombone.  Over time, I'm sure it could be used to teach the concept of pitch, but at first it just comes off as stupid!  An interesting feature is the ability to judge other users' performances on the "World Stage."  This gives students the opportunity to fullfill National Standard of Music Education number 7 (evaluating music), however the quality is often poor, and to be evaluated is often a downer.  Overall it might be fun for a laugh, but probably not good for high quality music education.  If you do use it, I recommend using touch only.

Amidio has developed several "futuristic" virtual instrument apps, and is currently developing others.  Probably the most recognizable is Seline.  Seline provides an entirely new layout of keys that is much different than a traditional keyboard.  The controls are split between the left and right sides of the screen so that users can  play scales when alternating hands.  Lower notes are towards the bottom of the screen; higher ones are at the top.  There is a slider in the middle for effects and pitch, and there are strategically place keys that allow the user to go up or down a whole-step.  Users can affect the layout of the "keyboard" by transposing to any key, octave selections, and scale presets.  The scale presets allow users the explore different scale sounds without prior knowledge of music theory.  This is a great way to introduce these concepts.  Users can also record their improvisations, or get together with other users and compose music  and perform it together (see the iPad orchestra video posted earlier).  I have seen videos of another Amidio app called OMguitar, and another creative instrument called iHolophone.  I hope to get some experience with these apps soon.

There are many piano and guitar simulator apps as well, but the best seem to be included in the iPad version of GarageBand (more on that in a later post).  However, there is one very cool free synthesizer app called NLog Synthesizer (www.temporubato.com & www.standalone-music.com).  The app features several high quality sounds, as well as other synthesizer knobs and wheels.  There is also the option to change octaves during performance, the ability to split the keyboard for multiple octaves, and several other detail options for the exploration of sounds (tuning, delay, cutoff, etc.).  You can't argue with free, so this would be a cool app for live performance in groups or solo.  Another cool keyboard app that allows you to explore a multitude of sounds is the 50 in 1 Piano (www.50in1piano.com) available for $0.99 in the app store.  Users can explore everything from organ, cello, and saxophone, to synth sounds, electric guitar and drum kits.  Users can also record what they play, as well as live audio with the built in mic, then export this audio (not sure how yet).  When playing back your recording, you can even see what keys you pressed, which is great for capturing a song idea (or creating a one man band!).  For those of you who prefer a more simple keyboard (and a free one), I like Virtuoso Piano because of its touch sensitivity.  Other than that, the app is add supported so they tend to get in the way.  Users have the option of paying $0.99 cents to remove the ads.

If you have an iPad, most of your needs will be met with the $4.99 version of GarageBand.  If your students have iTouch or iPhone, this isn't available to them yet, so one of the previous options would be fine.