Editor's Note: Why I love SoundWise

Written by Parastou Khiaban.

After ten years, I’ve started to play the piano again (apparently working in music publishing is a pretty good motivator!). Frustratingly, however, I’m not as good as I used to be…

…In fact, it turns out I’m pretty bad!

Learning a new song is not a 30-minute job like it used to be, it takes hours. What’s more, once I’ve learnt the song, I’m not even sure I’m playing it right.

Is it fast enough? Is the rhythm correct? How is that sequence meant to sound anyway?!

All these questions churn away as I feebly try to play along to the professionals on any audio recording I can find.

What I really need is a way to practise along with the music and be told where I’m going wrong.

Well, as it turns out, there’s a whizzy new app that does just that. And it’s called SoundWise.

What is SoundWise?

Books supported by SoundWise now come with a range of digital features; everything from video tutorials to audio backing tracks – everything you need is all in one place.

And…Prepare yourselves… there’s more. SoundWise music books can also come with SoundCheck powered by MatchMySound technology.

All you need to do is open the tool, record yourself playing and you’ll get instant feedback on your performance. What notes you played wrong, whether you were going to the beat – basically everything I’ve needed to get back into practice!

So now I don’t have to frantically search for audio/video to play with. I don’t have to worry I’m learning from a cover version of any song. Everything I need is one place.

And, to make things even better, I get stars when I do well. Because nothing says you made it like 5 gleaming, glittering stars!

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