In 2009, Apple informed us that – no matter what we want to do – “There’s an app for that.”  …and WOW were they right!  Today almost every product has its own accompanying APPlication.  Kids can scan their Happy Meal toys and incorporate them into custom-made video games.  Folks can walk around hunting imaginary monsters with their smart phones.  We can even play along with our favorite bands whenever we want!  There’s an app for everything!  …but, especially since Bluetooth technology has simplified and stabilized the connections between devices, it’s easy to drown in available software.  …so here’s a list of the our favorite Bluetooth Apps for your Digital Piano:

5.  Anytune.

Anytune is an iOS exclusive title, but they claim to be working hard on an Android version.  In the meantime, The Amazing Slowdowner works well for Android – despite its unfortunate name.  That said, Anytune is a wonderful tool for educators, singers, traveling musicians and music ministers.  It allows you to increase or decrease the tempo of a given song without changing pitch.  You can also minimize the vocals for most songs – giving you the incredible opportunity to transform most CDs into karaoke or play-a-long albums.  You can even create practice loops so you can learn songs faster and with more expression than ever before.  Especially for piano teachers who never use the “CD accompaniments” because their students can’t manage the tempos, this tool is life itself!  The basic version is FREE.  The advanced version gives you HD quality, better sound editing tools and an overall better sound.

4.  Piano Maestro.

With brightly-colored graphics, fun sound effects, awesome social media integration, a scoring program and a massive library of music with unbelievable backing tracks, Piano Maestro is the ultimate “secret weapon” for parents and piano teachers who want to motivate their students.  Packed with all the learning features you could want, instant feedback and a video game-like progression system, Piano Maestro is so much fun we’ve seen teachers build entire recitals around it!  This app is guaranteed to get your kids excited!  The app is free, but some of the best music is only available with a membership.  That said, the app has a ton of great plans – even special plans for teachers – and it’s worth every penny!  Works with ANY piano – even acoustic pianos!

3.  Pianote.

Especially for adults who don’t have room in their budgets or schedules for traditional piano lessons, Pianote is a game-changer!  This online learning app gives you the latest in cutting-edge tools, including video lessons, downloadable music, custom programs, supplemental lessons and so much more.  Don’t know where to start?  The folks at Pianote will help you setup a custom learning plan just for you and – if you get stuck – you can interact with LIVE piano teachers to get the help you need!  The app costs less than a single piano lesson per month and you’ll NEVER run out of music to learn.  This is definitely our favorite online piano lessons app!  Even better – new Roland buyers get three months FREE!

2.  The Roland Piano App.

Also available for BOTH Android and iOS, The Roland Piano App is THE companion app for Roland digital pianos.  Packed with incredible learning features like digital flashcards, 400 built-in songs, the “One Week Master: sub-app, and more, The Roland Piano App also includes all the on-screen controls you need to operate your digital piano with ease!  The app also includes a “fit bit” style practice calendar – helping you track your practice times and setup friendly competitions with the other members of your household.  There’s so much to do you’ll never get bored!  FREE (Most features require a Roland Digital Piano with Bluetooth).

1.  Faber Piano Adventures Player.

The only complaint I could find for this app is that it is an iOS only program.  Faber has done a tremendous thing here.  They’ve combined their custom-made app with their incredible (and ever-expanding) library of lesson books to create the “Holy Grail” of piano lesson tools for modern piano students.  Practice ALL your exercises with full band accompaniment.  Slow your songs down until you can play them with the band and then, gradually speed them up.  Check your notes with the “Wait Mode” feature – that won’t progress unless you’re playing ALL the correct notes!  You can set practice loops, practice one hand at a time and even record yourself so you can better judge your success.  It even has built-in FREE video lessons for adult students!  There IS no better learning tool than Faber Piano Adventures Player App for iOS.  The app is FREE.  All you pay for is the music (and the music is REALLY affordable)!

Honorable Mention:  The Most Amazing Sheep Game.

No list would be complete without The Most Amazing Sheep Game.  This cute game helps kids build rhythm skills by encouraging them to tap or drag their fingers along the screen in rhythm with the background music.  As they do, they are helping their little sheep progress through a side-scrolling maze that is as adorable as you are probably imagining right now.  Check out this fun and simple time sink.  It’s a FANTASTIC way to keep kids occupied in a piano store!  Hahaha!  FREE.

No matter which app you start with, keep in mind that it’s important not to overwhelm yourself.  Start with a couple of key programs and increase your “APPtitude” slowly over time.  You’ll be surprised at how easy to use and FUN these simple Bluetooth apps for your digital piano are.  …and you won’t believe how much they enhance your musical life.

What are your favorite apps?  Comment below and let us know!