Years ago I was given an iPad mini as a birthday gift, partially at my request because I wanted to use it in my studio. To my surprise, it mostly sat on a shelf and collected dust, so I eventually gave it away. So even though I’ve been eyeing the new iPads for a while, I’ve been reluctant to take the plunge and get one.
However, with more and more music being distributed digitally, the primary impetus for an iPad became less about studio use and more about personal use for the playing of digital scores. My eye-squinting efforts at playing from said scores on an iPhone or with my laptop weirdly propped on the edge of the piano were becoming increasingly perilous! So my tax savings took a considerable turn for the better as I forked over nearly 1k to acquire the shiny new 13″ iPad Air.
This of course necessitated the additional purchase of accessories such as the Apple Pencil Pro, a bluetooth page-turning pedal, and a lovely floral protective case. (I’m very grateful to the iPad Piano Teachers Facebook group, which I was able to peruse and query for lots of helpful information and suggestions!)
Apple certainly provides for a seamless setup process. As soon as I had logged into my account, the iPad was populated with all my apps, files, emails, contacts, and more. One of my first additions was the highly recommended forScore app. I started importing music right away via pdfs of digital scores already in my files and with the handy scan feature. The iPad arrived just in time for my scheduled accompanying at church, so it was fun exploring all the possibilities (including the split screen function where I could display the hymn with the tune the congregation would be following alongside the hymn with the lyrics they would be singing). And then I was even brave enough to show up for the service with only the iPad in tow (which I’m proud of because I’ve always been irrationally freaked out about the possibility of switching to playing from a digital device and having something go wrong so that I am left with a blank or dead screen and not a note to play – a true horror for someone who doesn’t play by ear or improvise particularly well!). I’m happy to report that the technology performed flawlessly and I thoroughly enjoyed not having to flip back and forth between various music books and hymnals; everything was correctly ordered in that week’s playlist (another forScore feature!) and I silently swiped from one selection to the next as the service progressed.
Just had to get in a shot of the colorful case now adorning my iPad! I’ve only tapped the surface so far of what the device can do, but I love it and am grateful to have it. So far I’ve only used NoteRush on it with my students (one of our favorite apps!). But I’m open to other suggestions of beneficial and non-risky (i.e. I’m not prepared to let students use it on their own and risk breaking it!) ways to utilize it in my teaching. Do you have any favorite apps or ways you use an iPad in your studio?
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lisa a hansen says
Being a professional accompanist I have had iPad and pedal for a long time- so handy!
Forscore app is a lifesaver!
I’m anxious to see how you will use this in your studio?
Also- I want to start a YouTube station for just my piano studio. Maybe you have a blog on this…what so I need to do to ensure safety and privacy of students?
So fun to connect with you again!!!
natalie says
Yes, I can imagine as a professional accompanist it is so much more efficient to use an iPad! I love having a YouTube channel for my studio. All of my families sign a media release form as a part of the interview and evaluation process for new students (https://musicmattersblog.com/store/Free-Editable-Student-Interview-&-Evaluation-Forms-p493021680). However, if you don’t want to go that route it’s very easy to specify that videos are either unlisted or private and then you can share them only with those you want to.
lisa a hansen says
Thank you! Excited to be back!