Wind World 1.1

This iPhone application, developed by Adam Gresham as part of his master's degree requirements at the American Band College of Central Washington University, offers a focused approach to enhancing woodwind pitch comprehension through an interactive quiz format.

The “Wind World” application addresses a common challenge for many musicians: understanding pitch tendencies within the woodwind family. Gresham's extensive research during the application's development not only served to create a valuable resource but also allowed him to use it effectively as a study tool, demonstrating its potential for personal advancement in this area.

Targeted toward late middle school to early high school students, the app aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of pitch tendencies specific to their instruments. The content is derived from established sources, notably utilizing Max McKee’s “Pitch Tendency Sheets” and data from the “ultimatepursuit.org” website, ensuring that the information presented is both accurate and accessible.

Upon launching the application, users are prompted to select from five common woodwind instruments: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet in Bb, and alto saxophone. This selection leads to a ten-question quiz tailored specifically to align with the expected audition ranges for honor and all-state band in Georgia. The note ranges are defined as follows:

• Flute: C4-C7
• Oboe: Bb3-D6
• Bassoon: Bb1-Bb4
• Clarinet: E3-G6
• Alto Saxophone: Bb3-F6

Once an instrument is chosen, students are directed to a quiz that presents randomly generated notes from the specified ranges and poses the question: “What is the pitch tendency of the note below?” Participants can select from three options—Sharp, Ok (In Tune), or Flat. Immediate feedback is given with correct answers briefly highlighted in green and incorrect answers in red, alongside the correct option.

The application concludes each quiz by displaying the student's overall percentage of correct answers and summarizing incorrect responses for review in a scrollable list, fostering an environment conducive to learning and self-assessment.

Users can exit the quiz at any point via the “Back” button, which conveniently navigates them back to the instrument selection page. This flexibility enhances user experience while encouraging continued exploration and improvement in their musical skills.