Good Idea But Do Not Purchase
Overall the structure and content of the app is great. I have only completed tasks for Grades 1 and 2 but, based on this experience, would not recommend purchase. This is because it suffers from development/test flaws that make it hard to use and frustrating. In particular:
1. The Differences section repeatedly fails to register when you tap to note a Difference. This has been raised in numerous previous comments and has not been corrected.
2. All sections do not consistently record progress. Sometimes you get a “you have increased your progress” note and after completing an exercise successfully and sometimes you do not. Also, the Echoes section sometimes notes progress if you assess yourself as “yellow” but sometimes does not.
3. I have found it impossible to complete any exercise because, after a number of attempts, the app simply stops recording progress. No matter how many more examples you complete, it no longer gives an “an increased progress message” and leaves your progress on the summary at c. 66% completion.
The app is not free and you will not get a refund if you buy it. Therefore, since these things means it does not fulfil its function, you should not purchase until you see comments that show they have been sorted out.
1. The Differences section repeatedly fails to register when you tap to note a Difference. This has been raised in numerous previous comments and has not been corrected.
2. All sections do not consistently record progress. Sometimes you get a “you have increased your progress” note and after completing an exercise successfully and sometimes you do not. Also, the Echoes section sometimes notes progress if you assess yourself as “yellow” but sometimes does not.
3. I have found it impossible to complete any exercise because, after a number of attempts, the app simply stops recording progress. No matter how many more examples you complete, it no longer gives an “an increased progress message” and leaves your progress on the summary at c. 66% completion.
The app is not free and you will not get a refund if you buy it. Therefore, since these things means it does not fulfil its function, you should not purchase until you see comments that show they have been sorted out.
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Could be better
I’ve been using this app to help prepare me for my upcoming grade 2 piano exam.
It’s helpful having a resource to practice different aural exercises.
However. I have found the pulse and metre section to be very disappointing. The app has never once registered or recognised my tapping. I think it would be helpful to have an indication of where to tap. I even went through it with my piano teacher, and she immediately advised that it did not register my clapping/ tapping. I have tried the app on more than one device and experience the same issue.
I couldn’t find an FAQ/ help and support section neither.
There definitely needs to be further development of the app.
It’s helpful having a resource to practice different aural exercises.
However. I have found the pulse and metre section to be very disappointing. The app has never once registered or recognised my tapping. I think it would be helpful to have an indication of where to tap. I even went through it with my piano teacher, and she immediately advised that it did not register my clapping/ tapping. I have tried the app on more than one device and experience the same issue.
I couldn’t find an FAQ/ help and support section neither.
There definitely needs to be further development of the app.
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Frustrating Abrsm aural trainer
1) confusing set up. for the pulse/ meter why only 2 or 3. not very logical user interface performed the task and was unsure as to whether i got the answer correct because afyer the test two items come up: . pulse with a wrong mark and meter with a tick.
2) echo
again to e app should indicate clearly whether the task was performed correctly or not. currently user is asked tk rate their own performance
3) difference
the app is so not responsive. User should tap the screen when they detect a diference. My telephone screen did not repond to tapping so could not performthis test properly
4) At this point i gave up.
Final verdict: Waste of money. 😭
2) echo
again to e app should indicate clearly whether the task was performed correctly or not. currently user is asked tk rate their own performance
3) difference
the app is so not responsive. User should tap the screen when they detect a diference. My telephone screen did not repond to tapping so could not performthis test properly
4) At this point i gave up.
Final verdict: Waste of money. 😭
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I got a distinction
After using this for my Grade 3 Piano Exam it really helped and I got a distinction. It was really useful. But I wish the Grade 6 app was for free because I’m going to be doing my Grade 5 exam soon. Also download roblox it’s amazing.
Response from developer
Hi 'Desiree, Many thanks for taking the time to leave your excellent review and feedback. With best wishes, ABRSM App Support
Doesn’t work
This app is appalling. The only way I can exit the app is by switching the phone off. On installing a second time it would not restore the purchase.
Given this is associated with the examining body in piano grades it’s pretty dismal.
One star only because there’s no zero star option.
Avoid.
Given this is associated with the examining body in piano grades it’s pretty dismal.
One star only because there’s no zero star option.
Avoid.
Three stars
So, this app is quite glitchy. Sometimes it doesn’t register my tapping, sometimes it just flat out crashes, one time it even gave me a correct answer for what I knew was wrong. However, the concept is great. Helping students prepare for their oral exam, what could be better? As a student who is approaching her first grade exam, this was actually really helpful, even if the software isn’t, by any means, the best.
Have a nice day!
Have a nice day!
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Bad… bugs and bugs
Too many bugs. For example the Grade 4 singing back just cycles between 3 examples… others too also only cycle between a very small number (and I have bought the extra bundle). The intervals part doesn’t tell you what the correct answer is if you make a mistake. Very disappointing, not what you would expect from what is considered to be one of the leading exam boards.
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Response from developer
Hi Crock100, Thank you for your feedback. For Grade 4, we state the following for Aural Test 4B: 'The notes will be within the range of a third above and below the tonic in the key of C, F or G major. The test will begin and end on the tonic and will not contain intervals greater than a third.' Therefore, for this specific test, the app covers these three keys and parameters. Within the Internal Trainer Quiz, if an incorrect interval is selected, the correct interval is displayed in a box at the top of the screen as well as letting the user know if it is ascending or descending. With best wishes, ABRSM App Support
Too glitchy
We can’t get the musical features section of grade 5 to work now as it keeps glitching so annoying when we need to practise for the exam next week!
Had to delete as can’t get it to stop ‘recording’
This app seems really useful but no matter what I do when I exit it shows as ‘recording’ on top of my iPad with a big red line (much like when google maps is still active!) Any idea what to do about this Abrsm?! I’d like to reinstall it f possible!
Battery killer!
This thing is a scourge to iPad batteries! Bad practices is all I can conclude
