PlayAlong Recorder

PlayAlong Recorder provides users guided instruction as they learn to play songs with musical instruments. From the app’s main menu, users can select songs to play that range from easy to advanced levels, and users can also find songs by genre. After selecting a song, users can tap the “Play” button, and the app will show users the song’s notes to play. Users are to then play the song’s notes, and the app indicates if they played the note correctly. If users need assistance, they can tap the note, and the app will play it. After completing the song or if they choose to quit, users can tap the “Gear” button followed by the “End Song” button to view their stats. The stats show the user’s accuracy for playing each note in the song, and they can share their stats via email or Twitter. Users can also see their complete stats by tapping the “Menu” button and then tapping the “Stats” button.

Please Note: Users will have to make an in-app purchase or view ads to access all the songs in this app.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can have students practice playing a song using an instrument independently with this app. As they practice, teachers can make sweeps of the room and view students’ stats to document improvement.
2. In pairs, teachers can have students practice playing songs using this app. To do so, one student can use a musical instrument app to play a song from the PlayAlong Recorder app. As one student plays the song, the other can monitor and offer ways to improve. After the first student completes playing the song, the students can swap roles so that the second student will play the song and the first student will offer ideas for improvement.
3. If students make a class band that uses musical apps, they can pick a song to play from this app and practice playing it. When ready, the students can perform the song to their classmates.
4. Teachers can create a friendly class competition to see which student can earn the highest stats in this app over the course of a week, month, or semester.

Screenshots