PartPlay

As a violin teacher of over 20 years I’ve loved playing with this fabulous quartet. Sadly, as a mum off 3 who teaches all week and plays in an orchestra I have little time left for chamber music. This app has given me the opportunity to play some of those pieces I love so much wherever I get a moment to myself. Even better than this though it has enabled us to keep the intermediate and senior string orchestra going from our local music centre, through these difficult times. The pupils print the music at home and we meet over zoom. We then play along together. Without this our pupils would be stuck in a room by themselves only being able to hear themselves. At least this way they can feel like they are part of an ensemble. It also has some fabulous rehearsal aspects, being able to slow the speed without altering the pitch and being able to play a particular section on loop. With their own accounts included as part of their music centre fees, it also means these pupils get to practise with the app on their own at home! The new Christmas collection is also fabulous! Well done part play .... perfect timing for a brilliant app!

What a brilliant app - great UX and great content. More recordings for beginners please!

This app would be immensely useful even when the world wasn't in such turmoil but at the moment it's utterly indispensable. Used as a tool for learning, it enables you to hear how your part fits together with the other members of the ensemble instead of just dull solo practice. Of course you don't have the flexibility and immediacy of playing 'live' and you're learning the recorded group's interpretation but that also has benefits; you quickly identify passages where you may be tempted to rush or drag and your intonation has to be consistent too. The loop facility enables you to repeat passages that need work and the ability to take a movement at a slightly slower tempo until you have it completely under your fingers, without tuning being affected, is really handy. Educational aspects aside, it's really good fun to be able to play some wonderful works while alone and, let's be honest, it'll probably be the only chance most of us will have to play with such illustrious musicians!

Forgot how cool this app was! In these strange times, why not invite a decent string quartet into your living room, kick out the one you want to replace, and tell the rest which pieces they’re going to play with you, all without the slightest chance of catching C19? Glorious isolation!

This app is revolutionising my practise. So many great functions and pieces. No longer will my practise sessions be solitary and lacklustre. Bravo!