practice cents · guides
Guides on tuning, time, and theory
Short reads on pitch, pulse, ear training, and theory. Each one ends by opening a tool in this browser.
Created and designed by Phil Holland
Popular guides
- Chromatic tunerA chromatic tuner hears all twelve notes and shows how many cents you’re sharp or flat. How to use one well — and when a phone mic is enough.Read guide
- PhoneTuner on your phoneSafari vs Chrome, microphone permission, Add to Home Screen, and why a quiet room matters. Phone setup for the practice cents tuner.Read guide
- BandTuning band instrumentsHow to use a chromatic tuner on trumpet, clarinet, horn, oboe, and mellophone. Concert pitch on the web; where to hold the phone.Read guide
- GuitarTune guitar chromaticallyOpen-string pitches, why chromatic beats a six-string-only tuner, and how to check fretted notes. Same needle as the band room.Read guide
- Practice with a metronomeStart under tempo, raise BPM when the line is clean, and use meter so the bar is obvious. Odd and mixed meters on iPhone.Read guide
- BandMetronome for band classOne URL for the class: common meters, accented downbeat, no accounts. Mixed-meter maps stay on iPhone.Read guide
Pitch & tuning
- Chromatic tunerA chromatic tuner hears all twelve notes and shows how many cents you’re sharp or flat. How to use one well — and when a phone mic is enough.Read guide
- CentsWhat are cents in music?Cents measure how sharp or flat a pitch is — 1/100 of a semitone. How to read a cents needle in rehearsal.Read guide
- TemperamentEqual, Just & Pythagorean tuningEqual temperament, just intonation, and Pythagorean tuning for band. When each helps, and how cents show the difference.Read guide
- GuitarTune guitar chromaticallyOpen-string pitches, why chromatic beats a six-string-only tuner, and how to check fretted notes. Same needle as the band room.Read guide
- BandTuning band instrumentsHow to use a chromatic tuner on trumpet, clarinet, horn, oboe, and mellophone. Concert pitch on the web; where to hold the phone.Read guide
- PhoneTuner on your phoneSafari vs Chrome, microphone permission, Add to Home Screen, and why a quiet room matters. Phone setup for the practice cents tuner.Read guide
Time & pulse
Ear training
- Free music theory & ear trainingHow to practice music theory and aural skills on your phone: intervals, dictation, rhythm, keys. Free HYKOM paths for grades 6–12 band and orchestra.Read guide
- IntervalsInterval ear trainingHow to practice melodic and harmonic intervals by ear. Free online interval ear training for band and orchestra — open HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
- DictationMelodic dictation practiceHow to practice melodic dictation: short phrases by ear, free replays, then contest limits. Free online melodic dictation for band and orchestra on practice.Read guide
- RhythmRhythm ear trainingPractice rhythm by ear: name patterns, tap pulse, write rests. Free rhythm ear training for band and orchestra — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
- ScalesScale ear trainingHear a scale and name the type: major, natural, harmonic, or melodic minor. Free scale ear training for band and orchestra — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
- TriadsTriad ear trainingIdentify major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads by ear. Free triad / chord quality ear training for band and orchestra — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
Theory & notation
- TransposeBand transpositionConcert pitch to written for Bb trumpet, clarinet, horn, and alto sax. A cheat sheet for concert B♭ and F — then drill it in HYKOM.Read guide
- KeysKey signature practiceRead and write major and minor key signatures. Free key signature quiz for band and orchestra theory — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
- NotesNote reading practicePractice naming notes on the staff (treble and bass) with ledgers and accidentals. Free note reading quiz for band and orchestra — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
- RNRoman numeral practicePractice Roman numerals for diatonic harmony (I, IV, V, ii, vi…). Free online RN practice for band and orchestra theory — HYKOM on practice cents.Read guide
Practice habits
- Music practice journalWhy a practice journal helps musicians improve, what to log, and how to keep streaks without guilt. Free practice journal on practice cents.Read guide
- TeachersAssign theory practice (teachers)How teachers share free music theory & ear training links: grade band, contest-style replays, and HYKOM assign URLs. practice cents.Read guide
Compare
- CompareBrowser tools vs download appsWhen a tab is enough, and when you want the iPhone app. Tuner and metronome start in the browser; record, journal, and deeper tools live on iPhone.Read guide
- For bandPractice app for band & orchestraWhat band and orchestra students need for daily practice: chromatic tuner, metronome, ear training, and a practice journalRead guide
Teachers: send a link between lessons, or read the full HYKOM guide.
Open a free tool after you read
Guides are short on purpose — the practice is in the browser.