Learning piano is an exciting journey, and incorporating music apps can help make it even more engaging for students of all levels and ages. I want to clarify that I love to use apps as supplements to traditional learning, not as replacements. It’s all about balance, and using music education apps can be a fantastic tool to support learning in a fun and interactive way, and customize lessons to my students’ individual needs.
I like to use apps to:
Introduce new concepts in a playful, hands-on way.
Reinforce skills at the end of a lesson with a quick review game.
Reset or refresh focus if a student’s attention is lost.
Encourage at-home practice by making learning feel like play.
Here are some of my favorite apps to use in lessons!
1. Note Rush: The Best Note-Reading Game
Best for Ages: 5+
Why I love it: This app listens to your real piano and gives instant feedback! Students see a note on the staff, play it, and get immediate reinforcement. The customization options make it perfect for different levels.
How I use it: Great as a quick warm-up or to reinforce note-reading at the end of a lesson.
2. The Most Amazing Sheep Game: A Rhythm Tapping Challenge
Best for Ages: 7+
Platforms: iOS
Why I love it: This game helps students internalize rhythm naturally by jumping their sheep in time with the beat. It’s silly, fun, and surprisingly effective.
How I use it: I like to use this game at the end of a lesson so students can practice internalizing rhythm without even realizing it!
3. Staff Wars: Arcade-Style Note Reognition
Best for Ages: 6+
Platforms: iOS
Why I love it: A fast-paced space battle for music notes! Students must identify notes quickly before they fly past, getting faster the more they get right.
How I use it: Great as a speed challenge for students working on fluency in sight-reading. There’s also a StaffWars live that can hear you play in real time!
4. The Cat Music Games (Rhythm Cat, Treble Cat, Bass Cat, Ear Cat): A Full Set of Music Training Apps
Best for Ages: 6+
Platforms:
Rhythm Cat: iOS
Why I love them: These apps focus on essential skills like:
Rhythm Cat: Tapping rhythms in time with music.
Treble Cat: Learning treble clef notes.
Bass Cat: Learning bass clef notes.
Ear Cat: Ear training for intervals and melodies.
How I use them: These are great for reinforcing concepts students are actively working on.
5. Bees Keys: White Key Recognition
Best for Ages: 5-12
Platforms: iOS
Why I love it: This app helps students connect note-reading to keyboard geography in a unique way by guiding bees to the right notes.
How I use it: Fun for helping students build confidence in locating notes on the keyboard.
6. The Jazzy Music Box: Fundamentals & Interactive Storytelling
Best for Ages: 5-12
Platforms: iOS
Why I love it: This interactive jazz experience introduces students to jazz through storytelling and music fundamentals. It’s designed for complete beginners to explore jazz and basic music concepts concepts in a fun, engaging way.
How I use it: I use this app to introduce young students to swing rhythms, jazz instruments, and basic musical ideas in a creative and stress-free environment.
7. NicoNotes Composers: A Fun Way for Young Students to Create Music
Best for Ages: 4-8
Platforms: iOS
Why I love it: This app helps very young learners explore composition in an intuitive way, encouraging creativity while reinforcing basic music concepts. You put little birds in the staff and it plays your music back to you.
How I use it: I like to use this app as a creative break for young students who are curious about writing music!
There you have it! These are my all-time top 7 music education apps for piano teachers and their students. Do you use any of these in your lessons? Did I miss any? Let me know your thoughts! 😄🎶
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