Today I would like to share two apps that get a lot of play time in my music therapy studio. Percussive and Percussive Latin, developed by Touch Media Productions, offer visually pleasing percussion instruments with fantastic play options and authentic sounds. Here are my reviews for each app:
Percussive
Cost: $1.99
Read the Reviews: iTunes Preview
Description: Percussive offers play on five different idiophones (a fancy word for instruments that vibrate with out strings or membranes): Glockenspiel, Kalimba, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone. Select the instrument of choice and simply tap or slide your finger across the bars. The app gives you the option of using hard mallets for a staccato effect or soft mallets for a more legato effect. The Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone even allow for a high or low octave.
Music Therapy Goals: I have used this app to reinforce letter identification through hand-eye coordination and to encourage creativity and attention to task through improvisation.
Sample Video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_75kSywuI[/youtube]
Percussive Latin
Cost: $1.99
Read the Reviews: iTunes Preview
Description: Play all the Latin percussion instruments on one screen or on separate screens. Instruments include: Chimes, Cowbells, Triangle, Agogo, Vibraslap, Cymbals, Tambourine, Cabassa, Timbales, Bongos, Congas and blocks.
Music Therapy Goals: I don’t know about you, but I love to spice up my music therapy sessions with instruments, beats and sounds from around the world. I have found that introducing music from around the world opens the door for goals like improved self-awareness and others-awareness. Whether it’s improvisation, re-creation of a favorite song or call and response, Latin instruments are a great way to spice it up!
Sample Video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc281Q6Vo5o[/youtube]
How about you? Have you used percussive apps to meet client goals in music therapy? Please share. 🙂 Oh, and don’t forget, you can find all my other iPad app recommendations here.