Whether you already know how to play an instrument or have always wished you’d learned, these apps will have you making beautiful music on your Kindle Fire in no time.
Non-musicians might want to start with Air Harp (Kindle Fire Edition), rated an average of 4.5/5 stars across 19 reviews, currently on sale for 75 cents. From Amazon:
You may have played air guitar before, but have you had the Air Harp experience? Now anyone, no matter their level of musical ability, can play wonderful music with the Air Harp app on the Kindle Fire.
Play Like an AngelAir Harp re-imagines the classic lap harp for the digital era. The app turns your Fire into an attractive wooden instrument with 15 strings, capable of producing two octaves of gorgeous, high-quality harp tones in G major. Just use your fingers to “strum” and “pluck” the strings–it’s that easy.
Includes sheet music for ten popular songs
You can play the Air Harp by ear or use the easy-to-follow sheet music. The app comes with the music for ten traditionally popular songs, including “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “I’m a Little Teapot,” and “Morning Has Broken.” Lyrics are included so you and your friends can sing along as you play. More songs can be purchased right from the app.
Note by NoteAir Harp comes with basic instructions that explain the musical symbols used–eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted notes, half notes, and glissandi–and a handy note guide. Colored string wraps help you improvise.
Air Harp includes Tap and Strum enhancements to make for a more fluid playing experience and sound. It all combines to produce a fun musical interlude on your Kindle Fire. And if music be the Fire of love, then play on.
If you’d prefer to tickle the ivories, take a look at Mini Piano (Kindle Fire Edition): rated an average of 4/5 stars across 8 reviews, 99 cents. From Amazon:
Mini Piano provides a two-octave keyboard for your Android tablet. Play various instruments and background beats, volume controls for master, beats, and notes. You can also access a toggle notes guide. Mini Piano features great sound quality. For best sound, connect to earphones or external speakers.
Drummers and mixmasters, Electrum Drum Machine/Sampler is for you: rated an average of 4/5 stars across 6 reviews, currently on sale for 99 cents. From Amazon:
Experienced drummers and beginning beat masters alike will enjoy Electrum Drum Machine/Sampler for their Android device. This nifty music app lets you create detailed drum sounds and program complex drum patterns wherever you go.
Electrum Drum Machine/Sampler lets you load one of six included drum kits and use provided samples or sounds you import. You set the beats-per-minute you desire, choose a time signature, and let the music take you where it will.
Get Into the GrooveThe app includes a direct interface for editing waveforms, mixing volume levels, and marking sample points. The sequencer makes room for 16 different slots. A step sequencer lets you sequence patterns into a song at just the point you wish. Up to 32 patterns can be created, and each sound can have its own pitch, volume level, and individual start and end points. The drum machine features multi-touch pads for programming patterns in real time or for hearing a particular drum sound.
Songwriters and composers, Chordbot Pro is for you: rated an average of 5/5 stars across 11 reviews, currently on sale for $2.99. From Amazon:
Chordbot is an auto-accompaniment app for Android that lets you create and play advanced chord progressions easily. Use it for songwriting experiments, as accompaniment for your guitar/saxophone/theremin solos, or as a backing band for your shower singing sessions.
Featuring 60 chord types and over 20 different comping styles, this app provides you with a wide range of musical backing that’s designed to be simple but effective: No gratuitous brass fills, just unobtrusive patterns that won’t get in the way of your compositions. Chordbot’s styles aren’t based on prerecorded loops–they work as dynamic sequencer templates that are used to synthesize your songs in real-time. The songs are then played back with instrument samples from the GeneralUser SoundFont bank.
Easily transpose songs to any key, specify bass notes for individual chords, and even change settings while the song is playing. Chordbot Pro offers a robust set of accompaniment features for your mobile device, all neatly packaged into a sleek, simple interface.
Remember, all musical apps will sound best through headphones or external speakers. Check out the full range of musical instrument apps here.