Helloooooo music teachers!
I want to take a brief moment to share about an app that an adult piano student recommended to me, and I love it! It is the Piano Maestro app for iPad. I am not sure if it works with any other tablet, but I think you might be able to use it on a computer as well, though I am not sure.
This app functions as a piano lesson supplement, and you can register student under your teacher account so you can track their progress and assign music. The app displays music that scrolls along the page and you must play the note on your piano when it gets into the blue bar at the left (similar to guitar hero or DDR). On the right side is a metronome arm that goes back and forth, along with a little animated composer guy (Bach?) who reacts to your performance. Students earn points and are graded based on rhythmic accuracy, note accuracy, and whether they had to use the help buttons (slowing it down, giving note names, etc.). They get stars and gain points to advance in levels. On more complicated songs there is a “learn” button that breaks it down and slows it down for easier practice There are options to play along on the iPad or on the piano, using the microphone. Both are fun but of course using the actual piano is best.
There are three sections students can use: Journey (a track where the songs get progressively harder), Library (with songs, exercises, and method books to purchase), and a summer camp where students can gain access to songs that are not normally available in the free version. Some songs listed include “The River Flows in You”, “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Mistletoe” by Justin Beiber, and much more. You can also sing or play another instrument instead of the piano and it will pick up the notes, though not as well as the piano.
I have really enjoyed playing this game myself, and the students I have used it with have enjoyed it too!
Adventures of a Music Teacher 