Bad
The App does not give the reason why an answer is wrong, leaving you to guess why the answer is wrong. Furthermore, it does not give key signatures in intervals, making it nearly impossible to get perfect. Last of all, you cannot zoom in, making it more difficult unfairly. If all the complaints I mentioned have been solved, then this review would have been 6 out or 5. Verrrrry disappointed.
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OK but well behind similar apps
This app is very basic. The functionality is clunky, and it has not kept pace with similar development of teaching apps. Particular annoyances
- Sometimes knowledge is quizzed that hasn’t been introduced previously: e.g. what legato, staccato, etc are. This is annoying and not conducive to learning.
- it isn’t explained why you got a question wrong: just that it is wrong with an option to reveal the answer, which makes this basically flash cards. Some additional explainer text for questions would be helpful.
- the format is pretty stale and interactive; as above basically just flash cards presented in different ways: things like mock papers, actual sound-based exercises, options to get a mix of questions from across topics, would all be significant improvements
- the progress is not intuitive: you can get a green tick in a topic after doing it once, but not actually answered a lot of core questions in the bank.
My comparator to this is Duolingo: which obviously has huge resources but great potential to learn from
- Sometimes knowledge is quizzed that hasn’t been introduced previously: e.g. what legato, staccato, etc are. This is annoying and not conducive to learning.
- it isn’t explained why you got a question wrong: just that it is wrong with an option to reveal the answer, which makes this basically flash cards. Some additional explainer text for questions would be helpful.
- the format is pretty stale and interactive; as above basically just flash cards presented in different ways: things like mock papers, actual sound-based exercises, options to get a mix of questions from across topics, would all be significant improvements
- the progress is not intuitive: you can get a green tick in a topic after doing it once, but not actually answered a lot of core questions in the bank.
My comparator to this is Duolingo: which obviously has huge resources but great potential to learn from
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Response from developer
Hi Nathanicus, Thank you for your feedback on Music Theory Trainer, including adding more information on incorrect questions as well as the wish to have a mix of questions from across topics. Legato and staccato are terms introduced at Grade 1 and our Music Theory requirements are cumulative, i.e. once introduced, they apply to all subsequent grades.
App alone not enough to prepare me for G5 exam
I found this app less accessible and less comprehensive than free online materials.
The app requires you to go through every part of a theory grade to access all the topics, which is tedious.
The number of testing questions are small - only one set per topic? I am concerned the ‘basics/knowledge and learning’ and the questions after do not actually cover everything I need!
The display is very small and notations can be difficult to read.
While a good idea, with lots of potential, I could not recommend this to anyone above other free resources I have found. I only bought this app because of its association with ABRSM, but I am disappointed with my purchase.
The app requires you to go through every part of a theory grade to access all the topics, which is tedious.
The number of testing questions are small - only one set per topic? I am concerned the ‘basics/knowledge and learning’ and the questions after do not actually cover everything I need!
The display is very small and notations can be difficult to read.
While a good idea, with lots of potential, I could not recommend this to anyone above other free resources I have found. I only bought this app because of its association with ABRSM, but I am disappointed with my purchase.
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Lack of information on notes for each clef
The app does not contain all the notes for each clef in the basic (learning section) of the app. It would help enormously if a third slide was included that contained all the ledger line notes for each clef. Along with helpful mnemonics for each clef.
Excellent app
I am loving this app right now and I am learning how to play the piano at home! I have been doing extremely well and I managed to get to grade 3! I am also on grade 3 theory with my piano teacher.
I love this app, but I’d love it even more if you had a random button that went across all grades!
I love this app, but I’d love it even more if you had a random button that went across all grades!
I love this app and use it several times a week, initially, when I was learning and now to keep my mind thinking about music when I’m away from my instruments for a few days.
I’d love this app even more if it featured a random question button that could just randomly select a question from any of the 5 grades… then another question… then another question, and so on!
Many people, like me, start music theory at fifth grade. If I randomly select a grade I get all the new stuff at that grade, say the newest scales for that grade… but not much else. If I want to revise scales that were new for any other grade, I have to go to that grade… and then I’ll get peppered with nothing but the new stuff from that grade.
A random feature across all grades would be a great revision tool for 5th graders. If there was a level choice beside it people could use that to revise up to their current grade, once they’ve achieved familiarity with the new stuff at their grade.
I love this app and use it several times a week, initially, when I was learning and now to keep my mind thinking about music when I’m away from my instruments for a few days.
I’d love this app even more if it featured a random question button that could just randomly select a question from any of the 5 grades… then another question… then another question, and so on!
Many people, like me, start music theory at fifth grade. If I randomly select a grade I get all the new stuff at that grade, say the newest scales for that grade… but not much else. If I want to revise scales that were new for any other grade, I have to go to that grade… and then I’ll get peppered with nothing but the new stuff from that grade.
A random feature across all grades would be a great revision tool for 5th graders. If there was a level choice beside it people could use that to revise up to their current grade, once they’ve achieved familiarity with the new stuff at their grade.
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So far so good... as part of your study
Very pleased with my purchase. I use the app to complement the theory trainer books, music theory resources and my piano teacher. You'd never learn enough just using the app but as part of a mix of study techniques it's a great investment and good practise for the online exam.
The only snag is that I think you have to unlock it grade by grade which is a pain if you only want to do grade 5 !
The only snag is that I think you have to unlock it grade by grade which is a pain if you only want to do grade 5 !
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Great question and answers but not much knowledge involved
Just starting out learning music theory and for somebody who has yet to learn anything about music theory, I feel there isn’t enough teaching involved in preparation for the questions. Some of the questions are based on topics which haven’t even been covered. It felt like I was having a stab in the dark at some questions. It’s a really great concept that kept me hooked to complete Grade 1 in one sitting but it really does need more in the knowledge and teaching sections before the tests! Please improve this as it really is a fantastic start, just needs more info and explanations.
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Very good, with an inexcusable flaw…
I’ve only used grades 1 & 2, for which this is an excellent* practice tool. However, it is clearly designed with the iPad in mind. On iPhone 11 Pro (so not even the smallest supported device), exercises such as intervals are so tiny, it’s hard work to read them confidently. It could be easily rectified by tweaking the layout to make them larger and remove useless borders. I’ll upgrade to 5 stars if that comes in a future update!
(* - UPDATE: Having just done the grade 2 exam I’ve realised that the app hasn’t been updated for the 2020 syllabus changes, so make sure you don’t rely solely on it!)
(* - UPDATE: Having just done the grade 2 exam I’ve realised that the app hasn’t been updated for the 2020 syllabus changes, so make sure you don’t rely solely on it!)
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Good
This is a good training app. I don’t think it has practice exams. Simple and good.
