Ever since the iPhone and iPod Touch hit the stores, the Apple Store has been filled with Apps (Applications) or software programs to run on them. Not only can keep track of all of your data (Calendar, Address Book, Notes), and use some handy programs (Calculator, Email), you can also listen to music, podcasts, watch YouTube videos, Movies and more.
Programs for musicians have also appeared early in the game. The Apps are ranging from simple instrument simulators like, bass, guitar, drums, and percussion for example, but to multitrack recording programs as well. Among those instrument simulators are also clarinets, flutes, trumpets and, of course, saxophones.
Saxophone by Music of Expression
“Saxophone” is a relatively simple program created by Music of Expression (www.musicofx.com), who also produces the programs “Trumpet”, “Clarinet”, “Trombone” and “Flute”. With the “Saxophone” program you can adjust the saxophone voice (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), setup how you’d like to play the octave, either by an exact tilt of your iPod / iPhone, a “tilt-flex” (which changes around the break), or with “touch”, where you move the octave sliders manually. You can also setup to play a synth sound, or play as MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), where you can connect to, for example, GarageBand, using their “musicofx midi tool” (available for MacOS, and Windows). As far price is concerned, US$ 1.00 (EUR 0,79) , for all that it does, can’t be beat. Saxophone can be quite fun, but with all new things like this, … you’ll have to practice in order to get any real nice results. Check out a demo here.
Saxophone in Reach
Music in Reach (www.musicinreach.com) has produced a small line of educational software which they claim is for beginners and professionals alike. Music in Reach has apps for Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Rhythm, and Instruments in general. I checked out the saxophone and clarinet apps.
For each instrument, a fingering chart is presented, as well as a trill chart. Videos (that have to be downloaded) are presented by a well-known artist on such topics as embouchure position and such. Real basic stuff. I don’t see how a professional should have any use for this. You also have a list of etude that, again, you’ll have to download. Audio recordings of the selected etudes you have to download as well. For an App that costs over US$ 3.00 (EUR 2,39), I really don’t see the real value here. Niether in the lessons, nor in the use for professionals (as they claim). Well, this app gets a “thumbs down” from me. Check it out yourself here.
Jamstar Saxophone
Jamstar Saxophone is developed by Really Useless Software. They also produce “Jamstar Guitar” and “Jamstar Piano”. All it has are stars with note names in them. They play the notes of the one and only sax sound. There are also stars between the stars. You got it, these are the half-steps. All I can say is that it’s cute, it’s free (for now), it’s totally useless! Check it out.
Summary
There are more Sax Apps and for sure there will be more to come, but right now, among these apps (if you haveto have them), Saxophone by Music of Expression got my vote. But all in all, I think one should spend their time practicing a real saxophone rather fooling around with an App.
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