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Musician's Toolbox
There are certain things that an advancing musician can't do without - essential tools that help them along.  In the last few years, many of these resources have become available for free or inexpensively, by way of the internet or mobile apps.  The following list includes some of our favorites.

Metronomes

A metronome helps you keep a steady pulse as you play.  Some are very simple, some have lots of features.  There are LOTS of options available completely for free!
Websites:
iOS:
Android:

Tuners

Tuners help you precisely adjust your instrument's pitch, and learn the tendencies of certain notes. There are not as many free options as metronomes.

Websites:
  • Seventh String Tuner - Reasonably accurate, but not as accurate and easy to use as most iOS and Android apps.

iOS:
  • iStroboSoft - The tuner used most often in the band room.  With a traditional strobe tuner appearance, it is very accurate and easy to read. $9.99
  • Tonal Energy Tuner -  A good tuner with some other interesting features. $3.99

Android:
  • gStrings - Free and accurate tuner.  Looks like a traditional needle dial.  You can pay for an ad-free version.
  • DaTuner Lite - Free and accurate tuner, with a more digital interface.  You can pay for an ad-free version.

Music Dictionary

The Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary - This site looks a bit dated, but is a surprisingly useful resource for learning the meaning and pronunciation of all sorts of musical terms.  Very handy if you come across a word in your music that you don't know.
Music Creation Online
The following are links to various music creation sites online.  Today in class, explore creating your own music!  Some are traditional drum machines, others feature loops that you can string together, and others focus on adding effect to pre-existing music.
Monkey Machine
ButtonBass
Soundation
Audiosauna
Ujam
iNudge.com

Music Theory

Music theory is essential to learning to read and understand written music.  These sites offer lots of tutorials and practice.

Websites:
  • Musictheory.net - VERY full-featured site, with practice exercises, tutorials, even brass fingering trainers!  
  • Musicracer.com - A fun way to practice identifying notes.  Has leader boards to keep things interesting.
  • Jayde Musica - A game for note identification review
  • Vic Firth Speednote Reading - geared towards mallet percussion players
  • Rhythm Practice - Interactive rhythm practice; tap the rhythm correctly
  • Helpful Music Games - this site features links to several music games, metronomes, and other helpful resources.

Other Cool Stuff!

Monkey Machine - An online drum machine.  Create your own drum beats and use them to play along with!
iNudge.net - A fun music creation tool
DM1 - A drum machine app for iPad.  Customizable and intuitive to understand. $4.99
Electrum Drum Machine - A drum machine app for Android.  You can download additional sound packs.  $3.99
40 Essential Snare Drum Rudiments - Help with the basic snare drum rudiments.  EXCELLENT when preparing for honor band or all-state!
Vic Firth Education Resource Center - All sorts of tutorials on a wide variety of drumming.