aXylophone
Sparse xylophone app sounds good but is limiting.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
aXylophone
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that aXylophone is a barebones xylophone music app that kids play freestyle. The interface has seven easy-to-play bars that are polyphonic (two or more bars can be played at the same time) and chromatic (tuned to the white keys on a piano). The app's tonal quality is authentic and sounds good. But oddly, aXylophone doesn't span a complete octave -- it runs from Middle C to the B below the octave above Middle C, which limits the overall playing range and learning potential. You'll be satisfied with this app if you want a very simple xylophone experience or for playing songs like "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Hot Cross Buns," "Twinkle Twinkle," and "Lightly Row." But that's about it. If you want greater functionality or more keys, you'll be happier with a different xylophone or piano app.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
AXYLOPHONE is a straightforward, simple xylophone music app. The app sounds authentic and has good tone whether it's played through a device's speakers or headphones. Kids open the app, press the play arrow, and are presented with a seven-bar xylophone interface. The bars are vertical, like a piano keyboard, and wide so they're easy to play. Kids tap the bars to play the xylophone, which sounds a pitch. The app is fine for a simple musical experience, but it's limiting because the tones don't span a complete octave.
Is It Any Good?
With aXylophone, what you see is what you get. It's uncomplicated, virtually effortless to maneuver through and play, with one screen, and that's all. The app's sound quality is good and the interface plays like a real xylophone, minus the mallets (kids must tap and release the bars, otherwise it won't make a sound). The app's ideal for little hands, or for those with varying learning and motor skill abilities.
But aXylophone is very limited. The main shortcoming is that it only has seven bars and doesn't even span an octave (which is eight bars). Kids are shortchanged one essential bar (or pitch) and can't experience the tonal pattern of a complete scale. There's no in-app recording or playback, but it's hard to hold that against this app because it's free and it is what it is -- a simple, simulated xylophone experience that sounds good and is easy to use. If you want something with more functionality, you'll pay a bit for it. But you'll likely get that eighth and very essential tone (if not more), which improves the musical experience immensely.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Point out neighbor notes and skipping notes. These are the musical intervals known as 2nds and 3rds and are essential parts of every song.
Try to figure out simple songs like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns."
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Arts: music, rhythm
- Skills: Self-Direction: effort, Creativity: imagination, making new creations, Communication: listening, Tech Skills: using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: March 21, 2011
- Category: Music
- Publisher: Daniel Toranzo Perez
- Version: 1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.0 or later
- Last updated: August 18, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
-
Awesome Xylophone
Little musicians tap out tunes on simple app.
-
MiniPiano
Toddlers can turn iPhone into piano keys that play.
-
Piano Free with Songs
While not perfect, it's a free and feature-rich simulator.
For kids who love music and creativity
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate