Maestro 1.0: an app to study music theory
Android App can be found here.
iOS App can be found here.
I love playing music, not so much about learning the theory behind it. Music theory is essential to master for any serious musician. Yet learning about music terms, practicing scales, and practicing ear training can be tedious.
The challenge is: how to make learning music theory fun?
Traditionally, we learn music theory by memorizing theory books, or sitting down in front of our instrument to practice the same scales or arpeggios over and over. Time has changed, and so are our social habits. We spend more time on our mobile devices more than ever, and we want to learn things on the go. Additionally, we are motivated by social media and trackable progress — we want to measure our progress, and we like to share it with our friends.
As musician myself, I struggle with learning music theory and have been searching for better ways to learn it, but I didn’t find anything that really worked for me. I decided to build a product that can help me and many other musicians with similar needs — Maestro.
Android App can be found here.
iOS App can be found here.
Features
Maestro 1.0 includes three main exercises: sight reading, ear training, and memorizing music terms. It also allows users to track their progress in the app upon sign-in.
Sight reading is the ability to read music notations and play music at the same time. Traditionally, we practice sight reading by playing simple notes on an instrument. Maestro app allows users to practice on a virtual keyboard, with customized key and time range.
Ear training is the ability to tell what we hear. An advanced musician can hear a melody and play that piece verbatim. Traditionally, we practice ear training by playing and hearing tones on an instrument. Maestro app allows users to quiz themselves by listening sound snippets.
Knowing music terms is important for musicians to understand music sheets. Traditionally, we learn and memorize them through books or flash cards. Maestro app allows users to quiz themselves using suggested terms provided by Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto or Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
Looking forward
Maestro app has a good start by bringing traditional music exercises on to mobile devices, and it will continue to evolve with more features and better user experience. Exercises alone aren’t enough, in the next release the app will include more social features, along with small digestible music lessons.
I’m excited to share this product and keep making it better! :)
Android App can be found here.
iOS App can be found here.
