Magic Fiddle
© 2010 Smule, Inc.
Smule's second music simulator is equally as amazing as it's first -- Magic Piano -- but, like the instrument it emulates, it's harder to pick up and play. Content includes a set of lessons that teach finger placement on a virtual fingerboard, posture, and even things like where to rest your chin on the iPad's screen. In the tutorials, you are told where to put your hands on the virtual fret board, by Guitar-Hero-style pitch markers that move from left to right across the screen, showing you where to place your fingers on the screen. The 39 song songbook ranges from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, to Nearer My God to Thee. There's also an in-app link to the app store, where you can purchase advanced pieces. The most amazing part of this app is the World, that lets you hear other App owners playing from around the world. This app also has a more sophisticated business model -- there are in-app sales, both to additional songs and Smule's other apps. The bottom line? For $2, this is an amazingly innovative and powerful app that's a lot cheaper than violin lessons, and the instant feedback can help you actually learn a lot about the real thing. The only drawback? They haven't figured out how to give you calluses.
$2, iPad
Teaches: music, playing a stringed instrument, pitch, rhythm
CTR Rating: 88%