Some have pulsating colors and several different click sounds, while others offer not much more than a bland screen with a tempo number. As with tuners, there are many metronome apps to choose from, and since they all are the same timekeepers at their core, the usability of an app’s interface can be a major deciding factor in choosing a metronome that you click with. Metronomes are non-judgmental yet they reveal your rhythmic flaws and there is nothing better for dialing in your groove and increasing your playing precision. The relentless click of a metronome can be a cruel master.
Ten thumbs pro ukulele Bluetooth#
However, as headphone jacks are being eliminated in favor of Bluetooth devices on many new phones, the days of this option may be numbered. Another option is a clip-on accessory that gently clamps onto your uke’s headstock, exactly like a clip-on tuner, and connects to your device’s headphone jack so you can use your device’s tuning app in any environment. Some, such as iStroboSoft, have a switchable noise filter that samples the room sound when turned on, eliminating much of the background noise. But luckily some apps offer features or accessories that can help reduce the ambient room noise that might clutter your device’s microphone. Tuning in noisy rooms can be tricky and it’s one area that clip-on tuners have an edge on the mic in your smartphone or tablet. In addition to a simple interface, it features a level of adjustment and customization that extends to oscilloscopes and frequency analyzers, which is probably beyond the need of any typical musician, even though it’s fun and eye-opening to see what frequencies your uke emphasizes and lacks. For players who want maximum features and flexibility, iStroboSoft ($9.99) from tuner specialists Peterson is a tuning-tweaker’s paradise. Its ease of use and smart design, combined with a huge amount of adjustability that may come in handy if you play other instruments or want to save special settings, makes it one of the most popular tuning apps. One big favorite of many players I’ve spoken to is Cleartune($3.99). Even if you never plan on venturing outside of normal tuning, the features on some tuning apps make them very appealing, from chromatic notes to an interface and experience that appeals to your personal sense of style. Some are uke-specific and focus only on the standard uke pitches, G C E A, which may be helpful for players whose only concern is getting the four strings of their uke in tune. Sooner or later you’re going to need a tuner, and there are many tuner apps choose from, from basic to elaborately featured ones. Though dropping a few bucks on features that expand the usability of an app may make some people grumble, many find that paid apps make their screen time more enjoyable. A few dollars can make all the difference in an app’s usefulness, so you may want to consider spending a little to add a lot up front.
Ten thumbs pro ukulele free#
Keep an eye out for what each app supplies in the free download. Although obviously not required to have a rich and fulfilling time playing ukulele, any one of the apps below can inflame your passion for the instrument while improving your groove, teaching you new techniques, or connecting you with the global community of uke players.īefore we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that many apps are free to download, but often have in-app options that expand the number of features. Not as familiar are the many mobile applications that offer today’s players numerous digital ways to enrich the very analog activity of playing the ukulele.įrom tuning to sheet music to shopping, and much more, a clutch of apps for smartphones and tablets puts power and learning right at your fingertips. There are many familiar accessories and gewgaws available to ukulele players that can add to the fun, and some may even be essential to keep in your gig bag or next to your favorite comfy chair at home (I’m looking at you, new strings and clip-on tuners).
But it’s often not long before even the thriftiest beginners start looking for ways to expand the playing experience. If you can get that little rascal in tune, the fun can begin immediately. One of the true joys of learning the ukulele is that all you need is a little box with four strings, a heartbeat, and the desire to play. BY GREG OLWELL | FROM THE SPRING 2021 ISSUE OF UKULELE