Format: iOS and Android

Pricing - Free

Description: Metronome app designed to beat simple meters and complex meters with audio and visual aids.

Features: 

• Simple and compound time signatures
• Tap to find the tempo
• Flashing tempo
• Scrolling beat pulse visual

My Experience: Just plain bad. I downloaded this in a pinch when I didn't have my metronome when filling in for private lessons. One main issue which is why this is a flop...the timing is not accurate. If it is one thing that a metronome should do it should be to keep consistent time. I experienced both skips in beat and shifts in beat. Even the beginning clarinet player that I was teaching noticed. 


Pros

• Multiple time signatures
• Tap to find tempo
• User interface not terrible

Cons 

• Does not beat a consistent tempo

Final Thoughts:  One would think that such a household music name such ads Steinway and Sons would put in the time to make sure a music app with their name on it worked, but I said it before and I'll say it again if it is one thing that a metronome must do it is to beat a consistent tempo and beat it reliably. Avoid this app and save your sanity. This post may seem short and it was meant to be more of a warning. One would hope that they would fix the bugs in the app, but do yourself a favor and just invest in a good metronome. Convinience is one thing, but having a quality teaching tool is another. You wouldn't replace a 9 foot concert grand piano with a one octave midi keyboard would you? 

Format: IOS devices
Price: $4.99

Description:
Tonal Energy is an app with extensive functions as a tuner, metronome, and general rehearsal aid. It is available on Apple mobile device platforms. Its primary feature is a large tuner display, featuring both a visual approximation and an exact reading of pitch in terms of cents sharp or flat. It also has a metronome function with a variety of subdivision features. A full chromatic scroll wheel allows the generation of pitches, intervals, and chords using characteristic sound samples of 16 different instruments. It also features a tab of more complex features including a spectral analyzer, waveform display, and overtone analyzer.  

Students can see how flat or sharp their sounds are, both by the numerical indication and the visual semi-circle approximation, complete with color coding (red = way out of tune). 

My Experience:
Tonal Energy is very stable, and I have not encountered any crashes or bugs in my experience. The basic functions of the app are very user-friendly - first time operators will be able to easily use the tuner and tone generating functions. Students will need guidance in understanding the more advanced spectral and waveform displays. However, implications abound for creative and cross-curricular activities in the classroom, linking in music theory, listening skills, physics, and acoustics. Young students are well-motivated and energized by the appearance of the Smiley Face on a solidly in-tune note. 

Final Thoughts & Verdict:
Tonal Energy packs a variety of functions into a smooth, attractive interface at a very affordable price. Performers and educators can find all their basic practice aids in one app. The app has implications for all types of music education and learners of all ability levels. One must continue to teach students that tuning and playing in tune is an auditory process, not just a visual process of getting the smiley face to appear! As long as this caveat is considered, I can strongly encourage all music educators, especially those in the instrumental vein, to invest in this app.    

Format: iOS Only
Pricing: $1.99

Description:
Tempo, by Frozen Ape is the number one paid metronome app for iOS and Android. Users are able to save set lists in app for future accessibility. Tempo also supports bluetooth devices capable of changing tempos in performance as well as set lists with the tap of a foot (iRig Blue Board/AirTurn). There is a Tempo Advance available at additional cost to the user. It incorporates the addition of polyrhythms and automation (speed up or slow down with performer).

Features:

• Tempos ranging from 10-400 bpm
• Meters ranging from 1/2-7/8 (35 in total)
• Accent capable on all beats
• 6 different rhythm settings
• Play list capabilities for rehearsal
• Set list capabilities for gigs
• Practice logging
  

My Experience:
I have personally used this app as my mainstay for metronome both inside and outside of the classroom. Because I keep this handy on my phone and iPad it is easy to hook up to a speaker system for students to hear and is easily loadable for quick reference for me. I have used the set list on concerts as a tempo reference when needed. As I am not as technically savvy as my colleagues on this site I like to see whether or not it has ease of use. It most certainly does and is extremely user-friendly.

BELOW ARE A FEW SCREEN SHOTS OF THE INTERFACE: