Below is a fairly comprehensive list of the apps we use in classroom, instrumental teaching and ALN/SEND settings. Note that all our curriculum projects involve creating music, so apps that deal with other aspects of music learning, such as ear training, learning to read notation etc are listed in the ‘instrumental teaching’ section. We have also added a column for those that don’t have access to iPads…yet… We have listed them in order of how much we use them, so if you only have time to download a few, start at the top of the list and work down!
Mainstream Curriculum Ages 8-16
Garageband Songwriting app with virtual instruments, sequencer and easy to use sampler.
Thumbjam Powerful instrument emulator.
Loopseque Cyclical beat-maker with fantastic potential for exploring rhythm.
iMovie Make music videos
Figure Intuitive dance music creator.
Launchpad Easy to use sample sets.
Incredibox A super fun looper using sounds generated by the voice, including beatboxing, singing and special effects. Total winner.
Blocs Wave Similar to Launchpad, but allows pupils to create their own palette of samples and add their own voice.
Cubasis Extemely powerful Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) suitable for older pupils who want to advance their recording and production skills.
Samplebot Quickly and easily create a palette of sampled sounds.
Audioshare Like a ‘my documents’ folder for all the music you create in different iPad apps. It allows you to take a song created in apps such as Garageband or Launchpad or another iPad via Airdrop, crop it and add simple effects, then export it to google drive, email or another app.
ALN/SEND Settings
Garageband Songwriting app with virtual instruments, sequencer and easy to use sampler.
Thumbjam Powerful instrument emulator. Change the ‘span’ and controls to give player access to multiple controls (volume, vibrato, pitch bend).
Bebot Polyphonic synth with fantastic sounds and more depth than first appears.
Bloom Create calming sound and colour scapes with app co-created by Brian Eno.
Loopseque Cyclical beat-maker with fantastic potential for exploring rhythm.
Figure Intuitive dance music creator.
Launchpad Easy to use sample sets.
Incredibox A super fun looper using sounds generated by the voice, including beatboxing, singing and special effects. Total winner.
Blocs Wave Similar to Launchpad, but allows pupils to create their own palette of samples and add their own voice.
Samplebot Quickly and easily create a palette of sampled sounds.
Instrumental Teachers
Create Backing Tracks
Garageband (Free) Pupil-friendly interface for sequencing and recording backing tracks. Full guide to the app with our book. (iOS)
iReal Book (£13) Lead sheets for Jazz and pop standards. (All)
Chordbot (£5) Quickly create sets of chord progressions. (All)
Record and Reflect
Music Memos (Free) One touch recording, adds bass and drums. (iOS)
Camera (Free) Insight into pupils’ practice approach and environment. demonstrate progression. (All)
Explore improvisation (test out scales)
Thumbjam (£9) Test out scales and effects. (iOS)
Loopy (£4) Layer melodies. (iOS)
Sight Reading/Aural training
Rhythm Cat (Free) Fun rhythm games for all ages. (All)
Treble Cat (Free) Game for identify pitches. (All)
Ear Wizard (Free) Chord progressions. (iOS)
Listening
Spotify (Free/£9.99p/m) Create playlists, share musical ideas, especially for improvisation. (All)
Generally Useful
Anytune Lots of practice tools – Change pitch, speed, loop sections and much more. (All)
Instuner (Free) Tuner. (All)
Internet/Google Drive/Dropbox/Camera (Free) Capture, organise, store and easily share sheet music. (All)
Android/PC
Bandlab
Does lots of the things Garageband can do, and functions as a complete (and free) Digital Audio Workstation.
https://www.bandlab.com/
Groove Pizza
A non-ipad alternative to Loopseque
https://apps.musedlab.org/groovepizza/
Chrome
Simple but reliable sequencer built by Google.
https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/
Createability Keyboard
A keyboard that uses the camera on a PC or tablet to track motion and play keyboard sounds! Great for pupils who find using their hands to play music a challenge.
https://experiments.withgoogle.com/keyboard
