Tech Tuesday: The iPad Piano Studio (review and giveaway!)

Contest, Reviews, Tech Tuesdays

When Leila Viss first announced on her blog that she had something exciting in store, I knew it had to be good. As expected, her surprise was an exciting one when she announced details about her new book,The iPad Piano Studio: Keys to Unlocking the Power of Apps.

Print

With a little encouragement and support from several friends, Leila made this book possible to help teachers feel more comfortable with the way technology is moving forward. The great thing about iPads is the technology is really not too complicated. I find it much easier to work and keep up with then I ever did with computer software and hardware. Matter of fact, I have found this year that I use my iPad in my studio lab (I have a separate one for my lab) a lot more then the computer.

The iPad Piano Studio is a simple read that one can go back to over and over. It does not need to be read in order. Leila was careful in not putting too much information that would quickly be outdated. This was smart as we know technology advances quickly and in the world of apps what is there one day, may not be there the next.

The iPad Piano Studio includes 12 chapters in addition to an intro and an outro. In the beginning Leila talks about the background of the book and why it was written. The first chapter begins by talking about the 5 different generations and why knowing and understanding each generation is important in our field of teaching. We then learn how to implement the iPad in our studio and the basics of getting started with a studio lab. If you are new to the iPad world and not sure what to look for or if it’s really worth the investment, Leila guides the reader with helpful information so you can be confidant in your new investment.

As with any technology, there are words and abbreviations that can frankly make one’s head spin. Leila breaks those “tech terms and languages” and explains them in an easy way for the reader to understand. In addition to some app suggestions, Leila walks you through what is already included in your iPad and ways to use those and several other optional apps in your studio. You will learn quickly that apps are not only about playing games. There is much, much more to the iPad then games. (Though they are fun too…)

The last chapters finish off with learning about helpful accessories that will enhance the iPad experience; and how to connect the dots making the iPad not only a teaching tool, but a teaching assistant that can enhance your lessons and business.

When purchasing the book, you have the option to purchase the digital only or the paperback copy with the digital. Having the digital copy along with the paper book allows for the reader to have a much fuller experience. When you download a QR app (free) onto your iPad or iPhone, etc… the digital copy allows you to scan your QR code and view helpful video’s Leila put together.

scanning book

As you can see, The iPad Piano Studio is a helpful resource that will help teachers who want to learn more about making the most out of their iPad in their studio.

The paper back copy (which includes the digital copy and a free copy of SimpleTEC magazine) of The iPad Piano Studio: Keys to Unlocking the Power of Apps is $21.99 (+shipping). The digital copy only is $18.99. In addition, there is a support blog that will be updated with helpful information from the website. Be sure to click on any of the links included in this review to find out more about the book and future resources that will be available.

Now for the fun part! I have an extra paperback copy of The iPad Piano Studio that Leila sent me to give away to a lucky reader! This will include your digital copy as well! To enter the following questions below: Do you have an iPad? If so, what is the favorite way you use it in your studio? If not yet, how would you like to use it in your studio?  The deadline to enter is Monday, November 25th; 10:00pm (AZ mountain standard).

Disclaimer:  I received this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. 

52 Comments

  1. Lisa McCluer

    I just recently purchased an iPad for use in my studio. I have absolutely loved having it. I use Evernote to make notes about each student, using my bluetooth keyboard, so I can type quickly. I can also easily access student’s accounts in musicteachershelper. We have just begun using music apps in the studio – so far, we have enjoyed mynotegames & Piano Notes! Students seem to love drilling notes when it is done through a fun app. I would love to win a copy of “The iPad Piano Studio”!

    Reply
  2. Connie Johnston

    I have a first generation ipad, and it shows its age when waiting for the internet, and crashes a lot when looking at the app store. Works ok for most things, though. My favorite use in the studio is as a motivator for intensive focus on a tricky spot in a song. The app Wheel o’ Choice is fun for my young students – they get a chance to spin for a win of 1, 2, or 3 extra stickers for their chart as a reward for a good little practice session during the lesson. A different option suggests ways to play a short section – legato, staccato, piano, forte, extra high, extra low, etc. In the old days I would have had these options on cards to draw from a box, or a handmade spinner. They like using the ipad. For a little older, we use a different spinner app that suggests what to focus on – articulation, dynamics, fingering, hands alone, counting, etc. You customize these for your own ideas.

    Reply
  3. mycgrimsby

    I had my iPad in every single lesson. Whiteboard app, flashcard game, Moosic Studio, metronome – that’s only a start!

    Reply
  4. Laura B.

    I do not currently have an iPad but am thinking about getting one. I would begin using it for music theory games. It’s exciting to hear how other teachers use iPads beyond games, so I would check out those uses, too.

    Reply
  5. Darlene Irwin

    I have an iPad and I use it every single day for teaching. If all it did was keep track of my calendar and contacts, it would have been worth it!! There are many apps that I can use for teaching….ear training, sight reading etc. I also use iannotate. Students can send me their test papers for theory (PDF). I can mark them right in the app and mail them right back….so handy!

    Reply
  6. Carla

    I do have an iPad and it’s difficult to choose just one favorite way I use it. I love to use Skitch to get PDF files of worksheets and have the student “draw” directly on them on the iPad. I also love to let siblings play games to practice different skills while I am teaching the other sibling.

    Reply
  7. Denise West

    I have an i-pad I use for my studio. It sits on my piano on a speaker dock. I have all the background cd’s from Faber Piano Adventures transferred onto my ipad, so I can quickly access background music the students can play along with. We also record their favorite songs (usually duets) using QuickVoice, which allows me to e-mail the recordings to their parents. I am overwhelmed by finding good apps, so a book that explains how to best use my i-pad in my studio would be a welcome addition! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Crystal

    I just purchased my iPad in August of this year, and am still getting my feet wet with it. I currently use Moosic Studio and some note drill and rhythm drill apps. Would love to win this book to broaden my knowledge of available and useful apps!

    Reply
  9. Julie Crist

    I have had an ipad for over a year, but this is the first year I have used it in lessons. I use the Rhythmlab app for each student at the beginning of each lesson for a short rhythm drill and a flash card app for note reading drills. Each of these apps are customizable for each student. I also video each of my students playing one of their lesson pieces each week as they strive for the “performance of the week”. Playback is very convenient. I would love to utilize my ipad more and would love a copy of this book.

    Reply
  10. Elaine Martin

    I am intimidated by technology—but a fellow grad student and music teacher uses one all the time in her studio. She recently showed me theory games, rhythm drills, etc. that can be used in a studio. Now I might work up the courage to try it!

    Reply
  11. barbgrout

    I use my iPad to video students. I am setting up a lab and would like more ideas of how to use it.

    Reply
  12. Anita B

    I use my ipad for everything! I have studio info and assignment sheets on Moosic Studio, use apps for theory games, lesson book accp tracks ready to play (use a bluetooth speaker). I would love to have this book for more ideas on how to utilize the ipad with my studio!

    Reply
  13. Kathy Gault

    I have an iPad2 which I use only rarely in my studio, though that was the original motivation for getting it. I feel overwhelmed by the number of choices of apps, and a resource like Leila’s book would help me tremendously!

    Reply
  14. Chyleen Lauritzen

    I have 2 iPads that students use in the studio. I put Quaver Music episodes and various music apps on them. After they have finished their written theory assignment for the week, they use the iPads and their favorite apps with earphones while waiting for their group lesson. I also have my own personal iPad that I use constantly throughout my day. Recently I used it to record and playback for the students a piano trio of Joyce Grill’s Cancun Cha-Cha-Cha for one piano and 6 hands. I also love to use it to take photos of the students playing games in their group lesson. I also use it with a keyboard to take notes during workshops. I agree with Jennifer’s comment about the iPad being much easier to keep up with and understand than the computer. Although I have a laptop by the piano and use it and Music Teachers Helper to type and email lesson notes, my iPad has often been used for that task when the laptop had issues. Although I have iPads, I know there are so many more ways I could be using them. I would love to have The IPad Piano Studio to learn more.

    Reply
  15. Cara

    I have an ipad and would like to use it in lessons–I think it’d be helpful to make lessons a lot more interesting for students to look forward to–I just need guidance on HOW to incorporate it. Leila’s book sounds great!

    Reply
  16. Marilyn Wade

    I have an ipad, but have only used it briefly in the studio. Mostly, note naming games and listening apps. I need help! The book sounds great!

    Reply
  17. Rebecca

    I just got an iPad and haven’t had time to set it up with everything I’d like to use in lessons yet, but I plan on using Moosic Studio, many note-naming and rhythm apps, loading it full of PDFs to draw on instead of printing worksheets, music listening, video, and more. I would be thrilled to win the book for even more ideas and instructions!

    Reply
  18. Melissa Naumann Willis

    I do not own an iPad, but have been looking seriously at purchasing one – this book might give me a good reason to “take the plunge” – I find myself using my phone to record students when they are composing in order to transcribe later and also do a few note games, I’d like to expand to an iPad for these purposes and also possibly for more studio organization. Would love to have a copy of the book to learn more about what an iPad can do for my studio!

    Reply
  19. Debbie Wiser

    Yes. Dear hubby gave it to me for Christmas last year. I love using Moosic Studio and BooksApp2 for tracking my lending library. Then there are the music gams! The iPad is a wonderful asset in my piano studio!

    Reply
  20. Karen

    I don’t have an ipad yet, but I’m hoping I’ll get one for Christmas. I’m looking forward to trying out the games I’ve already acquired in my itunes library.

    Reply
  21. Deborah Freeman

    I have an Ipad, but I would love to have the book to learn more about using it in my studio.

    Reply
  22. Claire Westlake

    I use my I-Pad a hundred times a day in my studio. I teach note-recognition, ear-training, sight-reading, theory and much, much more! My students love playing the apps! I would love to receive a copy of this book!

    Reply
  23. Margaret Fontiveros

    I have an iPad and use it every lesson. Moosic studio, many games, garage band to record accompaniments for my vice students and duet parts for my piano students. I would live to read this book though, so I can have an intelligent conversation with my techy husband and maybe not need to bother him so much when I need help with something. Sounds like a fantastic resource!

    Reply
    • Carlos B. Fontiveros

      Umm. Margaret I already bought the online version when it first came out 🙂 I’ll send you details on how to read it when I get home.

      Reply
  24. Deb

    I have an ipad and I have used it some with my students. I use Moosic and several other apps with students as well as recording them. It has been a very useful tool, but I would love to learn other ways I can incorporate it into my studio.

    Reply
  25. Betsy

    I use my iPad most for studio management, but lately have been better about getting lesson time on apps like Tenuto, the Most Addicting Sheep Game, Flashnote Derby, Music for Little Mozarts…

    Reply
  26. Amy Boze

    I’m hoping to get an ipad soon – it’s always so hard to get started with new technology – this book sounds like a great way to jump in!

    Reply
  27. Coila Robinson

    I’ve had an iPad for 2 years, and can’t imagine life without it at this point. I keep my studio schedule on it, as well as calendaring workshop in the calendar. I keep a list of each student’s current study materials, as well as pieces for UMTA’s AIM and Federation Festival. I’m beginning to save materials for reference, such as repertoire lists in Pages and/or Numbers (apple programs). I record tuition in Numbers as it arrives. I record each student to show what good hand positions they have, and when not. We listen for musicality in their playing. I am building my music files with typical student repertoire so I can pull up a piece to play to show the student the finished product. We go to YouTube and internet to answer questions of performance, style, and other questions related to their repertoire. I also have games, but not using those as much as I thought I might. Also I’m building “powerpoint” presentations on Keynote program – easy to transport to another location. This book sounds like it will give me even more use of my iPad in the studio.

    Reply
    • Kathy Gault

      Coila, I am impressed with all these uses of the iPad. I didn’t know there were Pages/Numbers apps (are there?). I also have a question about what you mean by ‘music files’ with typical student repertoire that you pull up to show students. Are these PDF files? I am also curious to know if you use MTH or Moosic Studio, or just DIY your own system.

      Reply
      • foxxpianostudio

        Hopefully Coila will see your questions Kathy, but I thought I’d mention… With the new iOS7 update they decided to have some apps that used to cost $, free. So now Pages (I think- I had already bought it before this) and Numbers are available to download for free, in addition to Garageband and a couple others just can’t think of what they are right now.

      • Kathy Gault

        Jennifer, thanks for the additional comment. I have to say, I have already learned so much from simply reading all the comments to your post, that I am launching a new, all-out effort to upgrade my iPad and computer knowledge and skills as a result. If by some chance I don’t win Leila’s book here, I am definitely going to buy it. As of yesterday evening, I am officially on vacation until after Thanksgiving. Our schools take the entire week of Thanksgiving off and although normally I schedule a group lesson on the Monday of T-giving week, this year I decided to move it to mid-December and give myself a complete break. I am determined to get digitized, cyberified, upgraded and appified — I am dubbing the next 10 days Cyber Turkey Week. Just as you were typing in your reply to my comment, above, I was downloading OS X Maverick on my 4-year old Macbook Pro. Then I will get the new iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, etc) from Apple — my system is so old I have to pay a bit to upgrade these — and then turn my attention to checking out some of the apps and ideas already mentioned in the comments here. Did I mention what a terrific resource your website and blog are?! Yeehaw.

        Of course, it is early — the day is young and the coffee is just hitting my bloodstream. I may have to take a nap later on to recover from all the newness. But I am definitely looking forward with some degree of curiosity to trying some fun new things this week. I may even create a website for myself, using a book I just bought at B & N: Create Your Website Using Word Press in a Weekend.

  28. Marcia

    Would love this book! I use my 2nd generation iPad in every lesson: Moosic Studio, Evernote, and my folders of activities and games, including Music Theory, Note Reading, Sight Reading, Ear Training, Music Notation, etc. Having the apps in folders allows me to pick quick activities to reinforce whatever the student may be struggling with or the current new topic we’re learning. I don’t know how I ever taught without an iPad!

    Reply
  29. Jill Elisabeth Zuber

    I use my iPad for just about everything in the studio … I even have a second one for students to use while they are waiting for their lesson. That one is full of music apps they can try out. Several of them end up purchasing the apps for their own devices. I like to use my iPad for flashcard games, metronome, and studio management with Moosic Studio.

    Reply
  30. Amy Sadler

    I use my iPad for studio management, flashcard games, metronome, Moosic studio, etc. I know I am not using my iPad to its full potential, and I would love a copy of the book to get more ideas on how to use it better.

    Reply
  31. Margaret MacKenzie

    I have an iPad, which gets limited use with my students because I find the wealth of options is overwhelming! I would love to have this book! It sounds like just what I need to make some informed choices!

    Reply
  32. Geri Miller

    I am planning to purchase an iPad and would love to have Leila’s new book to help me with ideas, apps, and hints on how to best use my iPad. I am planning to use it with my students to review notes, rhythm, play games, record students, and listen to music.

    Reply
  33. Lavinia Livingston

    I have had my iPad for awhile and see from all the above comments that I definitely do not use it to capacity. I especially would like to know how to transfer worksheets or some of Susan Paradis’s wonderful games on the iPad and hopefully that is explained in Leila’s book. I see I need a lot of help getting more use from my iPad during lesson times.

    Reply
  34. Julia T.

    The most common way I use my iPad is for lesson planning and writing lesson notes with my Google Drive app. I also love the iPad’s ability to turn simple PDFs into “digital worksheets” that students can complete during their lesson or computer lab time.

    Reply
  35. Janice Holladay

    I do have an iPad but am not great about using it as a teaching tool. I would like to use it to re-enforce note reading, rhythm etc.

    Reply
  36. Behany

    My students have enjoyed NoteWorks and Rhythm Cat. Both are free, so it’s been easier to persuade parents to download these apps to use at home. Noteworks works like a flshcard drill, but it’s a lot more fun!

    Reply
  37. Vickie

    i bought the ipad air and am new to the apple techy world. My students have been the BEST ipad teachers and we have had some great belly laughs in lessons. I’m used to utilizing a computer/keyboard lab during lesson times but am eager to see what the potential is with an ipad. would love to have a resource!! 🙂

    Reply
  38. Megan

    I have a 1st generation iPad and use a lot of different apps during lessons. The app, Rhythm Sight Reading Trainer, has been really helpful for teaching my students to play more rhythmically.

    Reply
  39. Donal

    I like to use skitch for drawing in notes, flashnote derby for my flashcards, youtube for listening and discussing performances, and music game for developing memory of sound and visual patterns in young ones. I’ve only recently got an iPad, so just an occasional user, but would love to get more ideas.

    Reply
  40. Henry F.

    I have used my iPad in the studio for years, now. This week I just announced my decision to make iOS devices mandatory for every family starting in the fall — either I loan it, or they own it (with a discount in tuition). The most common apps used for teaching are: Camera for videoing things to review at home — e.g., technique, successes by the student, etc. AnyTune Pro for slowing down tunes — some of my students like to pick out tunes from YouTube or other sites, and Music Flash Class for note drilling and group class games. Others used: GarageBand, which can be MUCH more fun than a plain old metronome, ABSRM Reading for sight reading, ReadRhythm for drilling rhythm, and a handful of music related games. My plans for next year include expanding into theory, perhaps writing a few more apps specific to areas where I can’t find off the shelf solutions. And I’m considering making my assignments electronic, so that my parents can read my writing 😉

    Reply
  41. Jacqueline F. Graham

    Would LOVE this book to learn how to use an iPad/apps in my studio.

    Reply
  42. Cindy

    I just bought an iPad this past summer to use in my studio. In all honesty, it was a difficult transition for me because I found I was using both my old computer lap top and my iPad…I have since been able to switch more and more over to my iPad, but I could use some help figuring out how to do more on my ipad and less on my computer (which is dying). I bought the iPad so I could use it with apps (yet to explore beyond the obvious metronome, etc.) and Moosic Studio. I do like using Moosic Studio and think I will eventually love it as more updates are made. This book would be a HUGE help to me!!!

    Reply
  43. Bernie

    I have an iPad but am looking for apps that are recommended. I love the idea of using technology to keep my students interested!

    Reply
  44. Angelica

    This book looks so amazing. I know it will just be what I need to motivate me to get an iPad. I can’t wait to get it and learn all the ways an iPad will benefit my studio. Yay!!!

    Reply
  45. Merri Williams

    I do not yet own an iPad as, due to cancer treatments, my discretionary funds are rather limited right now. Thankfully, as the doctors have told me that they consider me “cancerfree” now, I am still saving for an iPad, hoping to use it not only for teaching my students, but also as a composing/notating tool for myself in composing arrangements for my students, compiling my music on the “cloud” so I can have most, if not all, of it available as needed when I am out and about. This book will be a tremendous blessing in learning how to best utilize the iPad for all those various projects that I would like to do with and for my students.

    Reply
  46. Linda Calhoun

    I’m getting an iPad for my birthday! (December 13) yay!!!

    Reply

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