Notes - Sight Reading Trainer

Learning and science

music sight reading trainer

SHOW HN2025

313points
131comments
#169of 3,837 in 2025
Top 5%of 2025 by points

How HN took it

LovedMost comments that take a side are positive

19 positive, 19 neutral or asking, 3 mixed, 2 critical, out of 43 comments about the project. Thread score +0.40.

Execution: 2 for, 1 againstDesign: 3 for, 0 againstIdea: 2 for, 0 againstDocs: 0 for, 1 against

The thread, comment by comment

Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.

positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker

What HN said

What people liked

  • Effective for learning to read notes and returning to music after a break

    From 3 comments
    • Thanks, just downloaded it to try and purchased instantly - great app! Have been “playing” Für Elise for so many years on piano, but forgot how to read sheet music years ago and…
      mortar on HN
    • Excellent timing, as I was just looking at some apps to help get back into after 20 years away. I’ve noticed that a number of them, including yours, do include microphone input.…
      LVB on HN
    • Been using this for years now, it's precisely what I needed given that I came to bass clef late in life
      benoliver999 on HN
  • Polished logo, screenshots and ratings

    From 1 comment
    • I'm not in the target audience, but as an iOS dev myself, I have to say—your app is an ASO wet dream: - Nice logo - Clear, engaging screenshots - Solid title/subtitle with…
      gustanas on HN
  • Long-running, stable app used for years

    From 2 comments
    • Chiming in to say I downloaded this what feels like ages ago and occasionally come back to it when I’m away from my keyboard for too long, so thank you for this amazing app!
      hackerdood on HN
    • Impressive to see an app dedicated to sight reading stick around for 10 years. Must be doing something right!
      Tewboo on HN

Objections

  • Rhythms are inconsistent; dotted notes and rests missing

    From 2 comments
    • I tried the app and I honestly am pretty disappointed. I know the app is for note training but the rhythms are completely broken. In Ode to Joy and Minuet, there are notes that…
      swixed on HN
    • Yeah these are things I'm working on. The lack of dotted notes and rests are a weakness in doing any real songs which is why that section is a little lacking. I'm testing a new…
      rooster117 on HN
  • Only supports piano; no guitar, violin or other instruments

    From 2 comments
    • Guitar player here. App looks great, but shame it's only for piano. I used a different app that does pretty much the same thing and really benefited from it, the improvement was…
      roydivision on HN
    • What a wonderful logo! I'll see if my daughter is interested, but I'd love a guitar version (hint, hint).
      jkmcf on HN
  • Microphone pitch detection is imperfect

    From 2 comments
    • The mic works on the standard 440 tuning and converts the input to its midi representation. Trying to understand your question but the mic doesn't really care about the do, re,…
      rooster117 on HN
    • Well it’s an area I’m working to improve. It works well for me but everyone’s acoustic instrument and device is a little different. I’d say it isn’t worth getting a new keyboard…
      rooster117 on HN
  • Notes are random and can sound disharmonious

    From 1 comment
    • Yet another HN moment for me: I use it, and as I bought/downloaded like 50 or more - I think it is the best out there. Given that I might have you „on the feedback phoneline” I…
      xlii on HN

Requests

  • Android version

    From 1 comment
    • Anyone have recs for good Android equivalents?
      aterp on HN
  • Import MIDI songs into the songs section

    From 1 comment
    • Please add the ability to import midi into the songs section. I would prefer to use this app to learn new music than my current solution. Great app!
      pseudosaid on HN
  • Metronome mode for pressing notes in time

    From 1 comment
    • Hi, I've been using notequest before and this really hits a string for my needs. There are some places that could be improved. 1. There is lacking logic in the notes, there…
      tianshuo on HN
  • Guitar support

    From 1 comment
    • Guitar player here. App looks great, but shame it's only for piano. I used a different app that does pretty much the same thing and really benefited from it, the improvement was…
      roydivision on HN
  • Generate notes from score patterns instead of random notes

    From 2 comments
    • I am a paying user! the app is really good, it helped me as an adult starting piano 2 years ago. Main feature request would be to generate the notes from a score, focusing in the…
      mmacvicarprett on HN
    • Hi, I've been using notequest before and this really hits a string for my needs. There are some places that could be improved. 1. There is lacking logic in the notes, there…
      tianshuo on HN

Questions

  • Does the microphone recognise sung notes like do re mi

    From 1 comment
    • This is incredible because it exactly matches my needs. I started learning the piano 3 years ago as an adult, I love it, but my biggest difficulty is reading scores. I do want to…
      pil0u on HN
  • Why notes shown as letters instead of do re mi on the staff

    From 1 comment
    • I'm trying it and I love it! can I ask you a question? I'm not playing piano since at least 15 years, but why are you using C,D,E,etc instead of the real notes? I found an option…
      palla89 on HN
  • How long it took to develop

    From 1 comment
    • this is so great! out of curiosity how long did it take to develop this app? what was the process like?
      anythingworks on HN

Alternatives named

  • Simply Piano

    From 1 comment
    • I've been using Simply Piano for a while, but will give this a try. Noticed a typo: "Notes is your is your tool..." in the app store description.
      block_dagger on HN
  • Synthesia

    From 1 comment
    • Thanks, just downloaded it to try and purchased instantly - great app! Have been “playing” Für Elise for so many years on piano, but forgot how to read sheet music years ago and…
      mortar on HN
  • SightReadingFactory

    From 1 comment
    • How's it compare to SightReadingFactory? Can I use it for trumpet?
      MarcelOlsz on HN
  • Notequest

    From 1 comment
    • Hi, I've been using notequest before and this really hits a string for my needs. There are some places that could be improved. 1. There is lacking logic in the notes, there…
      tianshuo on HN

Category, keywords, summaries and labels on this page were made by AI (Thread Reader v2) and not checked by hand. Each point links to the comments it came from.

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