Music Technology in Education

If you use either Finale or Sibelius on a laptop? Do you miss your numeric keypad? If you are anything like me, you’ve probably already bought yourself a QWERTY keyboard to use the Speedy Entry and Keypad Entry features of the software. Not having a numeric keypad on a laptop is really not an option for notation software users. If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, meet NumberKEY from Balmuda Design. One of my amazing students at Teachers College (Justine Dolorfino) told me about the app, and I instantly bought it on the App Store for $1.99 (there is also a free version available though I am not sure what features are missing).

It is a very simple app and does exactly what is supposed to do. It works on both Mac and PCs with Finale and Sibelius. The app connects to your computer via wireless internet and set up is a breeze. All you need to do after purchasing the app from the store is go to the Balmuda Design website and download a free application for your laptop. You then install it, connect to your iPod Touch or iPhone and you’re all set. So, rather than spending up to $40 on a USB numeric keypad (many don’t work with Finale and Sibelius the way they are supposed to), try the free app or pay the $1.99 like I did, and your laptop is no longer impaired when using notation software.

Do you have NumberKEY? What do you think? Do you have any other apps like this that work also? I’d love to hear from you.