Hey everyone, I just want to send out a heartfelt thanks to all the users of #theDrumDictionary. It's now featured on the App Store "New and Noteworthy," and is currently at #8 on the paid music apps chart!! Thanks for getting the word out! This is very exciting news and will most definitely enable many more updates and new features in the future. Keep sending in those suggestions and requests, and as always, keep on learning and drumming!
Just want to say "thank you" to all those who have been giving the Drum Dictionary great review on iTunes! It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to those browsing for apps to see those 4.5 stars!! If you like the app, I'd be grateful for a review, and if you don't like it, let me know what would make it better. Email to support@theDrumDictionary.com
And once again, thanks for all the great support!
As I worked to put out this update to theDrumDictionary, I realized that I was running into some problems, the biggest of which is that there's simply too many beats out there!! Version 1.0 of this app was just focused on the very basics, providing the standard rudiments and enough drum beats in different styles to get a solid foundation. The problems come when deciding what to add next...how do I do justice to a genre like Funk or R&B when there's not necessarily any one basic beat that serves as a starting place for the whole genre? How do I choose from the literally thousands of options when it comes to any of the styles (and what to call them!? "Eighth-Note Rock #77, Eighth-Note Rock #78, etc.)? These are the kinds of questions I started asking myself as I chose the beats to add to the latest version.
Have no fear, theDrumDictionary users, I am not going to stop the updates! I plan on many, many more updates to come, with some new features as well as added beats and rudiments. I just need to put some thought and work into the interface and organization side of these, to be able to present so many different options in a way that makes sense and is still easy to use. If you've got suggestions/comments/requests, feel free to sound off in the comments or shoot an email to support@theDrumDictionary.com . Looking forward to hearing from you and to hearing how theDrumDictionary is helping you in your drum practice. Keep on learning and most importantly, keep on making music!
The first update to theDrumDictionary is now out on iTunes! Here's a list of what's been added:
Entries:
Slow Blues 2 - new variation with a different Ride pattern
Train Beat added to Country Beats
One each of Funk and R&B Grooves
Uptempo Jazz - basically same rhythm, but the much faster speed makes the ride pattern "flatten out" a bit
Cha-cha added to world beats
4 traditional Clave patterns added: 3-2 Son and Rumba, 2-3 Son and Rumba (not full drum set beats, but important patterns to know)
Interface:
Added a quick splash screen (don't worry, it's not really delaying the startup!) with some info.
Info screen accessible from the detail view - shows a key/legend to the drum notation as well as contact info for support
Slight tweaks to the overall look of the app.
Other:
Disabled screen dim/lock while an entry is being viewed. If you've got your iPhone/iPod on a music stand while you're playing, I didn't want you to have to worry about the screen going dim. If this is causing problems and draining the battery too much, let me know at support@thedrumdictionary.com and I'll see about making that an optional setting.
Fixed a few other minor bugs and audio issues.
That's it for this update! I plan on keeping the updates coming, so be on the lookout. Thanks for the great reviews, and don't forget to tell your drummer friends about theDrumDictionary!