Flashnote Derby is a note-reading app designed for music students of all instruments.
Used by teachers and studios since 2011, it combines pressure-free practice, fast-paced races, and studio tournaments to help students build strong reading skills.
What’s new in Flashnote Derby
The latest version introduces three major improvements— based directly on teacher feedback.
Practice Mode
No timer. No pressure.
In practice mode, students can take as much time as they need to answer each note. They still receive gentle feedback and encouragement, but without the pressure of competing.
They’re racing no one but themselves.
Studio Tournaments
Friendly competition, real motivation.
Teachers can now create note-naming tournaments for their own students.
- Students race on completing a set of flashcards in the fastest time.
- You control the notes and the participants.
- Students can create avatars and see themselves moving up the leaderboard.
It’s a simple way to build excitement and also build a sense of community in your studio.
Refreshed Interface
Cleaner, fast, easier to use in lessons
Quickly set up the length of races, method of answering, clefs, key signatures, and more. Adapt quickly to the needs of various students during a busy teaching day.
All the familiar settings are still there— just organized more clearly.
Why teachers use Flashnote Derby?
- Builds fast, confident note recognition
- Works for beginners through intermediate students (and sometimes advanced students too 😉)
- Simple enough for young learners
- Flexible settings for different levels
- Motivates students with races and tournaments
- Works in lessons or at home
Teacher Accounts (Free)
Teachers can create a free account to:
- Send note drills home to students
- Track student progress
- Organize tournaments
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels is this app for?
You control which notes the student practices, so it works for any level student who needs to brush up on note recognition
Are there any in-app purchases or subscription fees?
Nope. A one-time purchase gets you everything as well as access to future updates. Creating a teacher account and taking advantage of its features is also completely free.
Do my students need to purchase the app as well?
Just like regular practice, Flashnote Derby is most helpful when students can practice throughout the week on their own devices. So they would need to purchase the app.
Is it available for Android?
There is an Android version available which contains the essential features of Flashnote Derby. Practice mode, tournaments, and teacher progress tracking are features that will be coming soon to Android.