20 Best Piano Applications for iPhone

I always like to be current with technique as well as technology so when a parent asked for some apps for her iPhone to assist with her children's lessons I went to work researching. The blog "iPhoneNess" is a great place to start. It lists what in their opinion are the 20 Best piano apps.

There are also reviews on YouTube talking about other apps that are available. I enjoyed the versatility of "Pocket Piano Song Universe". Have fun!

Mission To Magamon

I've added a new game today to the "Just For Fun" page. It actually had me playing it until I couldn't make it pass level three. Your little male students will especially love it if they're anything like mine. Just click the picture to go to the link. You will need to register to play.

The sound quality is excellent and the game is really fun to play (once you figure it out). It probably took me a while because there are not a lot of video games in my life.

Play on!

My Alphabet Memory Cards

I came up with my own alphabet memory game. Yes, there are tons of them out there but these have a unique twist. When I was a scrapbook designer, I was known as the Maltese Scrapper. A dog was part of my designer logo which you see on the WILD CARD below.

At home I have two little Maltese dogs named Ruffles and Louie. My students love them. In fact, some students like to have Ruffles sit on the piano bench during their lesson and their parents like to have them sit in their laps in the waiting area. In my designer years one of my trademarks was to have a picture of Ruffles dressed up to match the theme of whatever kit they were purchasing.

So I combined my old scrapbook designed pictures of Ruffles with the music alphabet you see below. They are available if you'd like to have a copy of them for yourself.

Just click the picture to download. Hope you like them.

Finale Notation Software

If you haven't started charting your own music, this is a great place to start.

When I was teaching music and technology in an elementary school setting - with my personal obsession for everything to look "professional", it was evident that hand written tests and choral arrangements would not do. Then one of my school parents told me about Notepad that her church music director used. After searching the internet I found that it was called Finale Notepad. 

On their website there are several different options available including a free download of notation software. The big question is "how user friendly is it?" The resounding answer is "VERY".  Even under time constraints and unfamiliarity with the software I was able to print out some wonderful looking work. In fact, because of this software, I was able to write and publish an instruction book on playing a song flute.

So if you're ready to branch out and start making your own worksheets, sheet music, scales, etc. Why not check it out.

Music Treasures

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been giving me little music gifts. I thought it would be fun to list some of them: clocks, rulers, kitchen towels, pot holders, ice cube trays, staplers, tape dispensers, note pads - the list could go on forever. We always picked things up when we saw them because music gifts are not always easy to find. Especially now with so many music stores closing down, it's become even more difficult.

Then I stumbled upon the Music Treasures website. They have a little bit of everything from music gifts and toys, to instruments, clothing, awards and other teacher resources.

Hope this helps.

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