 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Magic Piano
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: Free
- Category: Music
Common Sense Media says
Popular songs but no traditional piano in tap music game.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Magic Piano is a music-playing app with two very different modes. The app is free to play, and players start with a handful of free songs. Additional songs must be purchased for between 25 and 75 "Smoola" (Magic Piano's in-game currency), with bundles of Smoola selling for from $2.99 for 200 up to $99.99 for 7,920 Smoola. Smoola can also be earned gradually in the game by completing objectives. Players can listen in on other players' performances from around the world, but there's no chatting.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn fine motor skills and improve their sense of rhythm and musicality as they tap the screen at the correct time to recreate the melodies and chords of popular songs. Kids will work to improve their performances to earn stars with which they can unlock new songs. The secondary mode, Solo/Freestyle, allows kids to get creative and improvise their own music. Magic Piano is a fun app to play around with, but it won't teach kids how to play the piano.
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
- Creativityproducing new content
- Self-Directionachieving goals
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitnessfine motor skills
What's it about?
Players tap balls of light at the correct time, either single notes or chords, to play back familiar pop, classical, and traditional melodies that sound like they're coming from a virtual piano. Magic Piano's secondary mode, Solo/Freestyle, lets kids tap on a more traditional-looking piano keyboard with black and white keys.
Is it any good?
Magic Piano's main mode actually has nothing to do with piano playing in the traditional sense. Instead, players tap balls of light to recreate melodies and chords. Players must guesstimate the correct rhythm, which can make it challenging to perform songs correctly unless already familiar with how they go. The piano-only melodies can sound hollow, and would have been livelier and more fun to play if there were background tracks to play along to (something that would have also helped players pick out the correct rhythms). It's only in the game's Solo/Freestyle mode where players get a glimpse of something resembling a piano keyboard. On the upside, the game is constantly giving the player new goals to complete (such as Earn 300 points, get a 10-note streak, or Play 3 songs by Bach), which earn levels, achievements, and badges, so it always feels like there's something new to do.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn fine motor skills and improve their sense of rhythm and musicality as they tap the screen at the correct time to recreate the melodies and chords of popular songs. Kids will work to improve their performances to earn stars with which they can unlock new songs. The secondary mode, Solo/Freestyle, allows kids to get creative and improvise their own music. Magic Piano is a fun app to play around with, but it won't teach kids how to play the piano.
Subjects
- Language & Reading:
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts: music, rhythm
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning:
- Creativity: producing new content
- Self-Direction: achieving goals
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness: fine motor skills
How kids will learn
Magic Piano draws kids in by letting them play tunes by the latest pop stars as well as classical and traditional favorites. Kids actually create the music by following visual cues, so they have more control over the sound than if they were just tapping along to a prerecorded track. However, by making players guesstimate the rhythms rather than showing notes and their subdivisions, Magic Piano misses an opportunity to teach rhythm and note-reading that could help kids learn to read "real" piano scores.
How parents can help
- Show kids what a real piano score looks like, and teach them to read notes and rhythms. If you're not musically inclined, classes, books, apps, websites, and YouTube videos can give you a hand.
- Have kids watch a performance featuring the piano and let them watch the performer's hands.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
February 18, 2012
AGE
magic piano
i think this is the funnest app on the app store
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Adult
June 15, 2012
AGE
WHO NEEDS A PIANO THESE DAYS?!
If this app is not under your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you absolutely should download it! This is one of the most addictive apps I have ever played, next to Angry Birds! You get to play famous songs with the touch of your fingers! I LOVE MAGIC PIANO!!!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
June 26, 2012
AGE
really fun, not beneficial.
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Adult
October 20, 2012
AGE
Just like Angry Birds,Temple Run,and Office Jerk this is so addictive.
I love this app.Very fun and addictive.I play it a lot! MAGIC PIANO FOREVER!
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Parent
April 11, 2013
AGE
Parents beware
This is a fun game for any age but parents beware! There is a game commercial between every couple of songs and many of them show war, robbery, and violence including killing. They can be stopped before they are shown each time but children should be supervised if you don't want them exposed to this. This is seldom mentioned in reviews!
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | music and sing-along |
| Category: | Music |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | Free |
| Size: | 19.70 MB |
| Publisher: | Smule |
| Version: | 3.0.2 |
| Release date: | November 23, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.0 or later |
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