Apps: Pitch

We've been testing a new app from Daniel Kuntz called Pitch. Kuntz has several apps including Tone, an ear training app. Kuntz describes the app as:

“Pitch is a sleek, minimalist instrument tuner for iPhone.

Features:

- Simple & easy to use
- Quickly tune any musical instrument
- Detailed analytics to help you track your progress
- Hear individual notes or chords with the tone generator
- Works great in noisy environments
- Transpose to any key
- Dark and light modes
- 100% free with no ads!”

— App Store Description

Pitch has some features you'll see in other tuner apps like displaying your proximity to actual pitch and generating tones. Where the app stands out from the crowd is analytics. The app tracks analytics over time and gives some long term feedback on intonation. The developer describes it as "...a fitness tracker for musicians."

“It’s a fitness tracker for musicians!”

— Daniel Kuntz

We found the app to be helpful and a handy way to see how intonation is shaping up beyond just one note at a time. Separately, we found the app easy to use and pleasing to the eyes (no ads!). 

Pitch is available on the ios store and is free. Let us know in the comments what you think about the app. 

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Pitch on the Appstore

Apps: Click Pitch

We're always looking for apps we think are worth adding to your toolkit. There's a new one out from Justin Isenhour called Click Pitch. The app is built to be an aid for practicing audition pieces, specifically orchestral excerpts. The app is a great way to make long hours in the practice room productive. There's ways to customize the overlay tracks as well as tempos. The app has selections for Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, and Tuba. There's a promise of more to come in the future. We will watch with interest to see what shows up next. 

“Click Pitch is an excellence training tool for musicians. A step beyond traditional drones and static metronomes, Click Pitch is programmed for specific audition test pieces. Using a combination of organ (sustain), piano (articulation) and woodblock (metronomic) sounds, Click Pitch is a “pitched metronome” reproducing each excerpt with accurate rhythm and pitch (equal temperament).

But Click Pitch is more than just a play-along. Each selection contains four individual tracks. Tracks 1-3 contain portions of the melody and a click track provides a programmed metronome. When played all together, the entire excerpt with a metronome is heard. However, you have the flexibility to turn individual tracks on and off. This interface allows you to select how much of an excerpt you want to hear. Remove the click track as well and performers can begin to test their ability to maintain time through the excerpt.

Imagine a drone that changes with the melody/harmony combined with a metronome that can fluctuate subdivisions/tempos when needed. Then add to this tool the ability to test your own pitch and rhythm by only providing strategic moments within an excerpt. This is Click Pitch.

The current version contains material designed specifically for trombonists. This version was built with input from a variety of trombonists including Steve Lange of the Boston Symphony and Brad Edwards from the University of South Carolina. Later updates will include additional trombone excerpts as well as audition material from the repertoire of all orchestral instruments.”

— From the iTunes App Store Description

You get Click Pitch on iPhone and iPad. The app itself is free, however, to expand to additional pieces you need to make in-app purchases. For what you're getting, each one is a bargain. Think about it like this. How many hours will you spend with Bolero before that upcoming audition? 1 hour? 10 hours? 100 hours? $1.99 is a steal no matter what your answer for how long you will spend with Mr. Ravel. 

Let us know how you like the app in the comments. 

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www.justinisenhour.com

Click Pitch on the App Store

Should I try TuneIn?

Why do I need another music app? If you're like us, you're struggling to decide why yet another music service or app is needed in your life. TuneIn could be a welcome addition for certain type of listener. 

What is it?

TuneIn is a streaming app with lots of options. These are primarily composed of terrestrial radio stations that TuneIn aggregates. If you have a fondness for the NPR station you listened to when you lived in Milwaukee, this might be for you. Not all stations are available so if you have something in mind you'll have to try in and see. 

What else does it have?

TuneIn came out recently with a premium tier that offers additional features like MLB games, audiobooks, and more commercial free music. It runs $7.99 a year. 

Where do I listen?

TuneIn has done well with offering lots places to listen. The usual places like Apple devices, android, and Windows are options. There's some less common options like Roku boxes, Sonos systems, and Xbox as well. It makes us happy when services like this give lots of places to listen. Check here for the fill list.

Should I try it?

For the free tier, absolutely give it a try and if it's your cup of tea. Free is always a good price. For the premium tier, that's a bit more of a personal preference. If something like MLB or commercial free options stand out to you then it might be worth it. 

Have you tried TuneIn? Let us know how it went in the comments. 

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TuneIn Pro on iTunes

TuneIn Pro on Amazon