Flashnote Derby
A Music Note Flashcard Race
Ratings
Age
4+
Category
Education
Languages
English
Fri Feb 06 2026
We’ve made learning even better in this update.
• Refreshed interface – A cleaner, more colorful design that’s easier to navigate for students and teachers.
• New Practice Mode – Practice note reading with no timer. Perfect for building confidence at your own pace.
• Tournaments are here – Teachers can now create tournaments and invite students to compete in friendly, motivating challenges.
Flashnote Derby is the premier educational game for aspiring musicians. Students identify notes on a staff to spur their horse toward the finish line, turning music theory into a fun competition. Fully customizable by teachers and parents, the app supports Treble, Bass, Alto, and Tenor clefs. It even uses the device microphone to recognize notes played on an actual piano or other instrument.
Dinsun Expert Review
Our Expert Score
Flashnote Derby is quite possibly the most effective tool I've ever seen for teaching music notation to children. By gamifying the rote memorization of the staff, it turns what is usually a tedious chore into an exciting horse race. The genius lies in the customization; teachers and parents can specify exactly which notes are being tested, allowing the 'drills' to match the student's current lesson plan perfectly.
The integration of the microphone is a game-changer. Allowing students to play the notes on a real piano, which the app then listens to and validates, bridges the gap between digital learning and physical practice. The faster the student identifies the note, the faster their horse runs, providing immediate and intuitive feedback. It’s a brilliant, charming, and incredibly useful app for any beginning music student.
Features
Engaging horse race theme
Fully customizable note selection
Supports all four major clefs
Real instrument note recognition
Detailed student progress reports
Tips & Walkthrough
In the settings, select the clef you are practicing and tap the specific notes on the staff you want to include in the race. This ensures the challenge is appropriate for the student's level.
Gameplays
Switch to 'Microphone' mode to play along with a real instrument. The app will listen for the correct frequency and move your horse forward when you play the right key.
Screenshot
Q&A
Yes, as long as the instrument produces a clear pitch, the microphone recognition will work for practice.
Ratings & Reviews
Emailing Presets Stopped Working
Mon May 08 2023 Fruitloop800So disappointed that I can no longer email preset practices to students which was the main reason I bought the app and asked parents to buy the app. I’ve tried logging out, uninstalling the app, etc but nothing fixes it. The buttons to select “send the preset” or “cancel” do not respond when selected. I did email the developer but haven’t gotten a response.
Luke Bartolomeo does not respond!
Sat Nov 28 2020 AmazonchicI am a teacher. I've been using this app for several years after other teachers highly recommended it. The app itself is good for the most part, but I've had some issues that are not working for my studio. I started having issues with being unable to set a master device and clone my other devices. Although Luke followed up to my initial request, asking if I am logged in, when I answered his questions to explain this issue is not on my end as a user not being logged in, he never responded despite multiple emails. In good conscience, I can not recommend this to my students when the app developer is admittedly MIA. I will use other apps instead. I will update IF the developer ever fixes this and responds to my emails.
Great BUT
Fri Jan 21 2022 CaddFamThis a great app that has made piano lessons more fun for my students. I especially love the option to play the instrument. SUGGESTION: Have an option with no timer or race, just answering the notes, as some kids don’t do well being timed.
Not recognizing E
Mon Dec 08 2025 RVonAppsThis is a very fun app and useful, except that it keeps not recognizing the E note. It marks a big X when it is clearly the E note being played on the piano, it also sometimes recognizes it but most of the time it doesn’t. Is this happening to anyone else? It’s just a problem with that one note. It’s worth saying we have only used middle C to G as of now. So don’t k own if other flaws are lurking. Hadn’t had this issue with a competing app.
Glitches
Mon Sep 21 2020 Borealis2012Flashnote Derby is a great way for children to practice note reading. The pacing allows children to think before they answer and it records progress. However, the free teacher features are frustrating when you can’t access them. The system suddenly doesn’t seem to recognize my password and I can’t reset it myself . I’ve tried with several accounts and emailed the developer three times with no response or resolution.
No updates for years, can’t do what I want
Sun Aug 15 2021 MrGoodReviewsI can’t use an external audio interface with this; it’s too buggy. I want my students to be able to silently practice their notes on guitar, and I can’t do that. No updates for 4 years means I doubt this or any future bugs will be fixed. This product may be near end-of-life. EDIT: website says last update was nov. 2017. Looks like two minor updates since then, the last being 2019.
Happy to pay for more themes!!
Tue Jan 21 2020 Jennie70My students LOVE this app! They ask me for it every lesson. And often ask when they will come out with more Themes. Please - I’d be happy to pay for more themes! Thank you for creating this app. Piano teachers dream come true!
Great Potential
Thu Feb 20 2020 FermatambI agree with another reviewer who pointed that the app “boos” when they miss a note. Saying “awww” with the ability to keep trying until you get it correct. Also, I find the website lacking severely in showing you how the app looks on the student end. Sending and creating a drill is not clear. You also can’t ask questions on the site. Keep trying, because I like it otherwise.