Want to learn more about music, or refresh your already existing knowledge and skills? Summer offers a great time for parents and teachers alike to explore some new apps, and today I want to tell you about two great music apps the boys and I have been playing around with...
Rhythm Cats
The first app, by LMuse Ltd., is part of a suite of music learning apps for children. The funky cats (also featured in the company's "Treble Cat" and "Bass Cat" apps) appeal to all ages, but are particularly well suited to younger crowd. As a teacher, I can see myself using this app as a centre in my music classroom, with a few iPads and headphones, for Grades 3-6.
Rhythm Cats offers a fun way for students to learn and practise common rhythms, using a series of game-like lessons organized into stages that are unlocked as players progress through the stages. Players use a green button on the screen, tapping the rhythm to play along with the admittedly catchy tunes.
The first app, by LMuse Ltd., is part of a suite of music learning apps for children. The funky cats (also featured in the company's "Treble Cat" and "Bass Cat" apps) appeal to all ages, but are particularly well suited to younger crowd. As a teacher, I can see myself using this app as a centre in my music classroom, with a few iPads and headphones, for Grades 3-6.
Rhythm Cats offers a fun way for students to learn and practise common rhythms, using a series of game-like lessons organized into stages that are unlocked as players progress through the stages. Players use a green button on the screen, tapping the rhythm to play along with the admittedly catchy tunes.
My sons both noted that they liked that the app was not too hard, and that the "fun characters" (the cats) made the app fun to play. My only complaint is that the app is very touch-sensitive (as it needs to be for such a thing), and with the protective cover on my kids' iPads, I found the green button didn't always work as well as I had hoped. (i.e. I frequently "failed" levels because the app had not recorded my taps properly, due to the protective film my kids have covering the screens on their apps!)
Overall, both kids and parents enjoyed this well-executed app; Rhythm Cats offers a fun way for children of all ages to learn to sight read rhythms, and I am looking forward to checking out LMuse's other music apps!!
Rhythmicity
For the more serious aspiring musician, Rhymicity offers a robust and customizable rhythm-reading challenge. Thousands of flashcards that include a combination of rests and notes in a variety of time signatures are organized into ten levels, which feature progressive lessons and a challenge at the end of each level.
Overall, both kids and parents enjoyed this well-executed app; Rhythm Cats offers a fun way for children of all ages to learn to sight read rhythms, and I am looking forward to checking out LMuse's other music apps!!
Rhythmicity
For the more serious aspiring musician, Rhymicity offers a robust and customizable rhythm-reading challenge. Thousands of flashcards that include a combination of rests and notes in a variety of time signatures are organized into ten levels, which feature progressive lessons and a challenge at the end of each level.
As a teacher, I found Rhymicity more suited to older students. Although the app includes tutorials and feedback, Alex and Simon (who are 10) found it a little challenging to figure out on their own. I would probably use this app with Intermediate (Grades 6-8) or high school students.
| As a drummer, I must say that what appeals to me about this app is that it doesn't shy away from more difficult and syncopated rhythms or non-standard time signatures. As a musically inclined adult who hasn't played in a while, Rhythmicity offers a fun, educational way to refresh and expand my sight-reading skill set, The lessons, tutorials and challenges span many levels from beginner to advanced; there truly is something for everyone here! | 
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