Ars Nova, a music education company, created software called Practica Musica to help people learn to read music and also provide other strategies. The program features a textbook that displays right on your screen. This reading material connects to interactive learning utilities that range from beginner to advanced. Goals reached with this software include being able to read any pitch in any clef, learn key signatures and interpret rhythms. As of 2010, the program was available for online download for $100 or via CD for $125 and is available for Mac and PC.
Dr. Anthony Fernando, a professional software developer and musician, created an application that teaches beginners to read music via piano. This program is designed for children and adult beginners. The goal of the program is for users to avoid endless drills but instead learn to play notes on an actual instrument, in this case an on-screen keyboard. Piano Is Fun will also develop keen note identification skills. As of 2010, the program was available for $29.95 via online download and was only available for PC, but Dr. Fernando plans to develop a Mac version.
This application requires users to play computer instruments, also called MIDI instruments, to learn to read music. The MIDI means that you plug a separate keyboard into your computer and also requires a MIDI interface and/or sound card, depending on your equipment. Interactive tests include immediate feedback, gradual increasing difficulty, and model phrases to help learn rhythmic elements. The program costs $35.00 and comes as a download available for PC.