Having grown up with the benefit of a <cue serious voice>traditional classical music education <\/voice> in the form of violin lessons every Tuesday at 7 p.m.–thanks mom and dad!!–I can be a little snobby about cute games and interactive internet activities that aim to impart some sort of musical literacy. I mean, if flash cards and etudes where good enough when I was a lass–(ahem)–I am not yet ready to concede that there is an app that can take the place of all that hard won training.<\/p>\n
Away from the high emotion and cold light of my computer screen, I realize that it is not a concession anyone is actually asking me to make. There are, however, some amazing new ways to manipulate sound that are accessible without the financial investment often required to supply would-be students with instruments and training. Plus, either these programs are getting cooler and cooler by the day, or I am just paying more attention. Take, for example, this bit of sequencing fun<\/a>. Fair warning that it can be quite addictive once you figure out how it all works and how sophisticated it can get. Bonus: It’s not nearly as annoying to listen to while you’re getting the hang of it as a stubborn second grader with a half-sized violin. <\/p>\n