Apps and resources
Hit'n'Mix
Cadenza
Available on iTunes. Pick up your instrument and play along with a full orchestra that listens to you and fits your playing in real time. The only better way to experience the thrill of playing with a real orchestra is to actually play with a real orchestra!
Free to download (with additional in-app purchases).
PolyNome
Guitarix
MuseScore
Audacity
Acapella
Lessonface
Virtual Keyboard
SmartScales
Available on iTunes, specially-composed accompaniments in a broad range of styles; from Tangos and Ragas, right the way through to Blues and Hip-Hop mean that pupils are given a context for their scales. The playback speed can be adjusted over a wide range, so students can practice slowly at first, and gradually increase the tempo as their skills improve.
Free to download (with additional in-app purchases). A full selection of demo exercises are available.
Your Space Music Lessons
Your Space Music Lessons is an an online music school, offering pupils the opportunity to learn a musical instrument in their own home and in their own time and under the direction of an experienced music teacher. Visit the website to sign up for their newsletter and for full details of lesson plans and fees.
Sketch-a-Song
Biophillia by Bjork
Available on iTunes, Biophillia has been created by musician Bjork to enourage children to create their own music through experimentation and exploration. Featuring a three-dimensional galactic interface with nine song apps available as in-app purchases, music scores and karaoke playback.
Cost: £9.99 with additional in-app purchases available.
Student Guide to Music Education
The British Music Education Yearbook complete guide to music higher education. Information on conservatoires, universities, teacher training & further education courses. Advice to help you choose the right place study as well as career options for music graduates, studying abroad, financial support and more.
Sign up to download your free guide
Spiffing Tunes
These video backing tracks with video of notation are ideal for practicing improvisation. They’re mainly jazz standards with a vintage feel, but there a few other items as well. You can try them for free via YouTube or buy mp3s (with free downloadable sheet music) from their main website at reasonable prices (99p to £1.99).
Sweet Home Alabama guitar lesson
An example of a lesson on how to play "Sweet home Alabama" on guitar.
How to play the cajon
A five minute intro and many other lessons
ABSRM exam piano backing tracks downloadable for clarinet, flute, horn, piano and violin for all grades, all at less than £1 with offers for multiple tracks.
Piano backing tracks for exams from 99p