Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.
Flat [2]
What’s It Like?
Flat is a web-based tool for composing and creating sheet music. Users can create an account with Facebook or Google, and they can work from an existing score (by dragging and dropping in a file in MXL, MID, or XML format) or create a new private or public score. To create a score, choose instruments (such a piano or violin), a time signature, and a key signature, and then you can input your score using a MIDI controller or a mouse. There are menus for controlling and editing notes, articulations, dynamics, measures, lyrics, and chords, and you can roll over each menu to reveal built-in keyboard commands and helpful tips.
Price: Free to try, paid
Grades: 7-12
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Flexible features and great on-screen guidance make this a match for beginners and pros alike.
Cons: Some features can be a little slow to respond.
Bottom line: An excellent tool for writing and sharing musical creations.