We test the most popular metronome apps to find out which ones are best for harpists.
(Download this issue (right) to see a comparison chart of metronome apps at a glance.)
—by Kela Walton
Smartphone apps help us do everything from order pizza to check the weather. So why not use an app to help you count? Our team of testers evaluated eight metronome apps to determine which apps are both user friendly and useful to harpists. The apps range in price from free to $4.99, and, at the time of testing, all had ratings of four stars or higher in the Google Play and Apple App stores. Don’t see your favorite app? We only tested apps that work on both Android and iOS operating systems. Our testers compared the same features in every app on both operating systems, and rated each app on a scale of 1–5. Neither the Harp Column nor the app testers were paid to endorse any particular app.
- James Scully is an 11-year-old harp student in his third year of lessons.
- Kela Walton is a professional harpist and teacher in South Carolina.
- Phala Tracy teaches Suzuki harp and music theory at Studio Fidicina and is adjunct faculty at Gustavus Adolphus college. She’s an active performer in the Twin Cities.
- Nadia Pessoa is a professional harpist who plays with The Washington Ballet and other ensembles in the Washington, D.C. area.
- Delaine Fedson Leonard teaches at the University of Texas Butler School of Music and is an active performer and Suzuki teacher- trainer in the Central Texas area.
- Kelly Evans is a music teacher who has been taking harp lessons for one year.