Following a recent blog post about how a blind and partially sighted musician can utilize the iPad. Here is a selection of useful music related iOS applications that are VoiceOver compatible.
Ear Training Applications
Do you want to improve your pitch perception and ability to play by ear? If this is the case then check out these essential applications!
Both of these ear training applications allow you to begin learning at lesson 1. You are introduced to a few simple concepts which gradually build upon your knowledge as you progress through the levels.
The full version of Relative Pitch can be downloaded from The App Store for the price of £5.49, you can also download a 'lite' version of the application for free if you wish to trial it before making a purchase.
This application assists with interval training and helps develop your ability to distinguish the difference and distance in pitch between two notes of a scale.
Check out this AppleVis review of Relative Pitch which contains further information about accessibility and voice over performance. This review looks at the 'lite/free' version of the application but all comments apply to the full version as well.
Chordelia: Seventh Heaven can be downloaded from The App Store for the price of £2.49. Unfortunately here is not a 'lite' version available to try.
This application helps you to recognise major, minor, diminished and augmented seventh chords as well as their inversions.
For some additional information check out this iOS Music and You Review about Chordelia: Seventh Heaven.
It may be useful to note that the voiceover feature has a tendency to cut out other sounds in the applications in order to be heard. Therefore, some of the notes are occasionally a little hard to hear, but please be aware that there is a button to repeat the current question so you won't miss out on what you have been instructed to do.
In order to progress through the application stages sighted users are able to swipe left and right to go to the next lesson while voiceover users have the option to turn on the lesson back and forward buttons in the settings menu.
Accessible Tuner
As a musician I will always vouch for learning to play and tune by ear, but at times this is not always a possibility and it may be worth having an alternative solution in the palm of your hand... So check out this accessible talking instrument tuner!
Talking Tuner can be downloaded from the app store for £0.69.
The best thing about Talking Tuner is that it can enable you to tune your instrument entirely by sound, without needing to look at the screen!
This tuner has an existing built in voice feature that talks to you and tells you if you are in tune or not. As well as this the latest update to the application now supports VoiceOver accessibility making it more productive to use.
Check out the AppleVis page for Talking Tuner where you will find a full review of the applications accessibility features.
Got a suggestion?
We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list? Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!