Learn how to hear and spell classical, jazz, and popular chords.

The Chord Trainer Free application provides an accessible and customizable mobile platform for both professional and aspiring musicians to fine tune their aural skills, specifically in the areas of chords and chord qualities. This version of the app has the same functionality as the paid one, but the free app includes ads. The three primary features of the app include the following:

• Flashcard Mode teaches each chord by notating them on a staff, providing a written description, and two aural versions—each note of the chord at the same time (block chord) or one at a time (arpeggiated chord).

• Quiz Mode tests your knowledge of the chords in a multiple choice format. After practicing with flashcards, choose your level of difficulty (through the Options menu, see below) to determine how well you can hear each chord quality. The default level is the easiest level, which covers major, minor, augmented and diminished triads; the intermediate level adds 7th chords; the advanced level covers altered 7th chords and additional extended-tertian chords (9ths, 11ths, and 13ths); and finally, the Jazz/Popular mode covers chords unique to those genres. You can also select "All Chords" to get quizzed on all available chords.

• The Options menu allows you to set limits for a customized quiz. The flexible quiz parameters include difficulty level, number of chords, and number of replays. Further, you can enable or disable the Jazz/Popular mode.

This app suites anyone with an interest in music. It can help beginning college music students practice chord qualities for an aural skills or ear training class. Also, it will help middle, junior high, and high school students in choir, band, orchestra, or private music lessons. Musicians who do not have a formal music education but would like to know more about listening to music and music vocabulary will benefit as well. Designed by a team with advanced degrees in music theory and music education, we have provided a pedagogically strong application and will continue our research to make it even stronger.

To get the most out of this app, users should already be familiar with parts of beginning music theory, such as note names (on the treble clef) and the major scale.

Box Metaphor Studios is committed to bringing you the best possible product and that means you can look forward to more updates! We'll be active as possible in ensuring bugs are identified and eliminated and we'll also be sure to listen to you about other features you'd like to see implemented in future updates. You can always contact us at [email protected] with comments, bug reports, and suggestions. Head to our website here: https://www.facebook.com/boxmetaphorstudios. Check out our twitter: @boxmetaphorapps.