I have some cool practice tools, a fun discovery app for kids and grown ups alike, and a dancing new album for you in this issue of Great Finds. Enjoy!

Come Dance With Me, Katarzyna Musiał

Acclaimed Polish-Canadian pianist Katarzyna Musiał has performed in venues across the world, including the Vancouver Olympics. Of herself she says, “while I play I strive to bring out the soul of the music that inspires me, and share its natural beauty and deep emotions with my audience…” And, that is certainly what she does.

From Ginastera’s Danzas Argentinas, to Turina’s Danzas Gitanas, Ginastera’s Danzas Criollas, and pieces by Mompou & Lecuona, we are taken into a world of movement. There are romance, energy, wildness, beauty, poetry, fantasy, and grace throughout.

Lest you think that the entire album contains music by Spanish and Latin American composers, Messiaen, Mathieu, Stojowski, Gershwin, and Gorecki are all represented. I particularly love the way the pieces Messiaen and Gorecki reflect and comment on each other.  I have been a fan of the Gorecki Preludes for a long time.

Come Dance With Me is a beautiful album. Even the wind dances. And, so will you.

My Practice Stashe, Melody Payne (The Plucky Pianista)

These practice cards are right up my alley. You know I’m all about creative practice, and it’s now available in a box! There are 52 cards with ideas for improvising, repetition, technique, performing, and listening. There are even blank cards so you can include your own tips. 

Pianists of all ages and levels can use this stashe to help work through a tough passage or inspire creativity in improvisation & composition.  Both single teacher and school licenses are available.

Wolfie Piano, Ron Regev

This fully functional practice app is bright, appealing, and fun to use. You can solo, play with the metronome (Warning it is very strident. Be careful when using earphones), or play along with the recordings. The Magic Cursor keeps track of where you are as you play. The digital piano sound is loud enough to be heard without being annoying or unpleasant.

You can turn off the piano part on some of the pop tunes and accompany too. I wish there was a count-in feature available.  By the time I pressed play on the iPad and got my hands back down on the keys, I had lost most of the first measure.

Teachers can write assignments, track progress through recordings, and award badges. Students and teachers will love the ability to annotate their scores. Highlighter, stamp, text, and free line drawing are all available.

There are many well known classical and popular melodies in arrangements and originals in the catalog.  The catalog is easily sorted by level, style, or alphabet. You can also upload and annotate your own scores.

With the exception of the need for a count-in function, I think all ages of students and their parents could use this app easily (with a fast learning curve) and would definitely find it both helpful and motivational.

Zoo Orchestra

Enter a world when elephants, giraffes, and penguins play classical tunes! Kids can choose from famous classical pieces and then mix and match animals and both real and fantasy instruments.

The characters and graphics are colorful and appealing. There is information about each composition and composer for a little music history and appreciation along the way.

There are endless combinations for kids to try in this little app – some quite hilarious. Also, parents and grandparents have been seen sneaking off to play when no one is looking. So, if you can’t find your device…

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