Apps and Links
Musician's Toolbox
There are certain things that an advancing musician can't do without - essential tools that help them along.  In the last few years, many of these resources have become available for free or inexpensively, by way of the internet or mobile apps.  The following list includes some of our favorites.


Metronomes
A metronome helps you keep a steady pulse as you play.  Some are very simple, some have lots of features.  There are LOTS of options available completely for free!
Websites:

iOS:

Android:

Tuners
Tuners help you precisely adjust your instrument's pitch, and learn the tendencies of certain notes. There are not as many free options as metronomes.

Websites:
  • Seventh String Tuner - Reasonably accurate, but not as accurate and easy to use as most iOS and Android apps.

iOS:
  • iStroboSoft - With a traditional strobe tuner appearance, it is very accurate and easy to read. $9.99
  • Tonal Energy Tuner -  A good tuner with some other interesting features. $3.99

Android:
  • Tonal Energy Tuner -  A good tuner with some other interesting features. $1.99
  • gStrings - Free and accurate tuner.  Looks like a traditional needle dial.  You can pay for an ad-free version.
  • DaTuner Lite - Free and accurate tuner, with a more digital interface.  You can pay for an ad-free version.


Music Dictionary 
The Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary - This site looks a bit dated, but is a surprisingly useful resource for learning the meaning and pronunciation of all sorts of musical terms.  Very handy if you come across a word in your music that you don't know.


Music Theory
Music theory is essential to learning to read and understand written music.  These sites offer lots of tutorials and practice.

Websites:


Other Cool Stuff!
iNudge.net - A fun music creation tool
DM1 - A drum machine app for iPad.  Customizable and intuitive to understand. $4.99
Electrum Drum Machine - A drum machine app for Android.  You can download additional sound packs.  $3.99
40 Essential Snare Drum Rudiments - Help with the basic snare drum rudiments.  EXCELLENT when preparing for honor band or all-state!
Vic Firth Education Resource Center - All sorts of tutorials on a wide variety of drumming.

Theory Websites:
Music Theory.net
Music Theory by Students for Students
Music Racer
eMusic Theory
Music Theory Web – Teoria
G Major Music Theory
Music Theory Flash Cards
Online Music Theory Game
Music Theory Minutes
Music Theory Help Site
LCS Productions Music Theory Help
Theory for “Normal” People

Rhythm Training and Metronome
Online Metronome
Free Rhythm Trainer

Sight Reading and Notation Programs
Practice Sight Reading
Noteflight (online notation program)
Finale Notepad

Dictionaries and Definitions
Music Symbols and Definitions
Virgina Tech Online Music Dictionary

Ear Training Sites
Dictation Practice
Ear Toner
Ear Training Online
GNU Solfege
Functional Ear Training
Tete Ear Training
Good Ear – Free Online Ear Training
Earplane
Ear Beater

Other
US Army All-American Marching Band
Composer’s Datebook

Music Theory

Noteflight.com (Composition - class page)
www.jamstudio.com
musictheory.net (Theory Lessons and Exercises)
www.musicalintervalstutor.info (Ear Training)

Vocabulary

dictionary.onmusic.org (Online Music Dictionary)

Music History

artsedge.kennedy-center.org (Smithsonian Music Resources)
www.classicsforkids.com/composers/composers_period.asp (Composers by Period)
musiced.about.com (About.com Music Education Resources)

Modern Music

www.nga.gov/kids (National Gallery of Art)
www.dsokids.com
www.npr.org/music/ (NPR Music Page)  
www.rockhall.com (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
countrymusichalloffame.org (Country Music Hall of Fame)

Performance
www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.php (Percussion Rudiments)


Music Reference and Fun Stuff

Woodwind Fingering Guide

Brass Fingering Guide

Vic Firth’s Percussion Education Resources

Music Theory Online

Print Your Own Staff Paper

The Breathing Gym: Daily Exercises

Flute Trainer

Oboe Trainer

Bassoon Trainer

Clarinet Trainer

Brass Trainer

Music Dictionary



Instrument Videos and Recordings

Flute Fundamentals
Understanding the Oboe
Bassoon Basics
What NOT to do: Clarinet Repair
Clarinet Articulations
A Trumpeter’s Resource
Horn Playing: Past and Present
Trombone Players Guide
The Complete Percussionist
Tuba and Euphonium: Individual and the Ensemble



Articles

Brass: The Case for Buzzing
More Than One Way to Win
Audition Information for Live or Recorded Performances (Percussion focus but applies to all)
Practice Advice from CSO Perfomer Chris Martin
Advice to a College Music Student
So You Want to Major in the Arts
Is Music the Key to Success?
Functions of an Effective Student Leadership Team
Why I Teach Music
Why Study Music
7 Deadly Sins of Playing a Live Gig
Careers in Music

Vic Firth Educational Videos (Percussion)
Keynote Magazine – general articles about music and performing

Top 10 Ways to Make Money While Making Music

Dealing with Heat and Humidity