6 Fun Apps To Help Children Practice Reading Music
Learning to read music is like learning a new language: it’s exciting, rewarding, and sometimes challenging. Regular practice between lessons is key to steady progress, especially when it comes to reading notes and rhythms confidently. The good news is that there are lots of fun, educational apps that make practising these skills feel more like play rather than homework!
Here are six apps that have been tried, tested and regularly used in lessons by us and our teachers, helping children develop their music reading skills in an enjoyable and effective way:
Note Rush
Platform: iOS, Android
Focus: Note identification (real piano input)
Note Rush is a firm favourite in our studio. Using the device’s microphone, it listens as the child plays the correct note on a real piano or keyboard, giving instant feedback. The gamified, race-against-the-clock style keeps children motivated and makes note-reading practice feel fun rather than a chore. We even have an ongoing leaderboard competition between our students to encourage practice!
🎵 Best for: Beginners to intermediate students learning to match staff notes to piano keys.
2. Flashnote Derby
Platform: iOS, Android
Focus: Note identification (no instrument required)
Flashnote Derby turns note reading into a fast-paced horse/unicorn/spaceship race. Children answer note questions to move their horse forward with correct answers, helping them win, while mistakes slow them down. The ability to customise the clefs and what notes appear makes it perfect for early learners or for focusing on notes they find trickiest!
🐎 Best for: Children who enjoy friendly competition and visual reinforcement.
3. Rhythm Swing
Platform: iOS
Focus: Rhythm reading and performance
Rhythm Swing helps children develop rhythm skills by tapping patterns to make a monkey swing through the trees. The aim is to beat the crocodile boss on each level, which can be quite challenging! The app gradually introduces more complex rhythms, building confidence step by step. Our teachers particularly recommend it for kinaesthetic learners who benefit from a hands-on approach.
🥁 Best for: Developing steady rhythm and counting the beats from the early stages.
4. Staff Wars
Platform: iOS, Android, PC/Mac
Focus: Note reading (treble, bass, alto clef)
Staff Wars combines learning with a retro arcade feel. Students “shoot” notes by identifying them correctly, with increasing speed and challenge as they improve. It’s great for older children or those who enjoy a fast-paced, competitive approach, and it allows practice across different clefs and note ranges.
🚀 Best for: Students who thrive on speed and challenge while reinforcing note recognition.
5. Tenuto (musictheory.net)
Platform: iOS (web version available)
Focus: Music theory, ear training, note & chord reading
Tenuto is a versatile app that covers everything from note reading and keyboard identification to intervals and chords. It’s less of a game and more of a structured practice tool, which our teachers find excellent for older children and adults who can concentrate on targeted exercises.
📚 Best for: Intermediate to advanced students ready to explore music theory alongside reading skills.
6. Blob Chorus
Platform: (Available through Amazon)
Focus: Ear training (pitch recognition)
Blob Chorus is a playful app that helps children develop their aural skills. By matching pitches sung by colourful “blobs,” students improve their listening and pitch recognition—skills that support confident music reading. We even get parents singing “blob” around the house!
👂 Best for: Strengthening pitch-matching and listening skills in a fun, interactive way.
Final Thoughts
All of these apps are used day-to-day by us and our teachers, and we’ve seen firsthand how much they can boost confidence and fluency in music reading! When used alongside regular lessons, they turn practice into something children look forward to rather than something they have to do. We have received great feedback from parents who have used these with their children.
Give them a try and see how your children’s reading skills progress!
Ready to Get Started?
We’d love to help! Take a look at our lesson options to find a format that works for you, and feel free to get in touch with any questions.
