[tweetmeme]The iPhone is a revolution in the way we go about our lives, with creative and innovative applications changing the way we’ve done things in the past. In calling the iPhone a revolution, it almost seems like a stronger word is needed to describe what the iPad will bring. In my opinion, the iPad has the opportunity to truly shape a part of the future. The screen real estate on this device allows for so much interactivity that application possibilities may honestly be seen as mind-blowing. Without even pondering upon new application ideas, focus in the Apple community is sitting around an ‘imagine that on the iPad’ kind of concept. I’ve heard this said a a few times since the iPad announcement but only really began to think about it when Corey Marion said it in response to newly-launched iPhone application Etude. When I thought on it for a moment, I realized it’s not even an addition to this revolution we’ve seen with the iPhone, but it’s essentially starting a whole new revolution on it’s own.

‘Etude’, being a short composition intended for exercise and to demonstrate virtuosity is another beautifully designed app which hit the App Store just hours after Sophiestication’s also beautiful Articles. Etude’s primary focus is displaying sheet music in it’s traditional simplicity with elegance that makes it surprisingly easy to read on such a small portable device. You’ll notice right off launch that Etude is in forced landscape, with no option to kick it in to portrait. Normally this would drive me insane as forcing users to change from what they’re used to with no route out is never a good call, however given the real estate they had to work with it would have been sad and awkward to see this application in portrait. The main screen is single shelf interface with horizontal scrolling of scores, similarly to what you may have seen in the Classics application. Tapping on a score brings you through a smooth (and normally unseen) transition into a divided view with about 3/4 sheet music on a grand staff, and the final quarter being reserved for a highlighted and display-only piano keys (which can actually be toggled off to give that extra quarter to the sheet music). There’s a small play button next to a location indicator as to where you are in the song which can be changed by panning through the sheet music. There’s a couple options such a slowing down or speeding up the music—which is most certainly needed in the case of Chopsticks—and an option for continuous scrolling which is actually pretty choppy and hard to follow as I see it. Finally, there’s a small bit with the song info and the option to share it via the usual services like Twitter and Facebook as well as a direct link to the iTunes page for it.

Etude also comes with a ‘store’ which I quote because at the moment the store doesn’t have anything that doesn’t go for free. The store is however nicely organized with a featured page of staff picks and the popular tunes as well as some other organization methods and search. Each piece is displayed in a beautiful view with the piece information, a 30 second preview and a download button. The developers behind Etude have mentioned that they’re working with publishers and artists to bring hundreds of more pieces to the store which is in dire need right now because somehow The Entertainer has already become the most exciting part of this application.

If you’re in to music—and playing the piano would be a huge plus—then I’d recommend checking this out. Apparently there’re hundreds of pieces available, but that’s also the minimum age of almost every one of these songs. Personally, I’d recommend waiting until the store has a little more to offer especially in terms of artists at least within the past 50 years. Overall, the application is surprisingly usable though it’s certainly no replacement for carrying your actual sheet music with you. However, going back to that ‘imagine this on the iPad’ idea, just take the second to actually imagine it on the iPad. Granted we all have a different idea of how things could be implemented, but the iPad experience of Etude could be unbelievable. Any instrument can be hard to carry with you, especially a grand piano. However, one thing that you will have with you almost more than anything is your phone, and then your laptop, and then somewhere in between, your brand new iPad. It doesn’t matter where you are, just pull your iPad out of your bag, fire up Etude and not only do you have an extensive library of full sized sheet music but you have a responsive digital keyboard to practice with as well. Sure, you’ve only got a couple octaves to work with, but the digital experience can overcome that by providing you with creative ways to move about the keyboard. Furthermore, a keyboard on the iPad would most definitely not a performance instrument, but simply an incredible practice experience that is with you nearly all the time when you need to figure out a couple funky bars or hammer down a few chords. What’s even better is the news that Wonder Warp is already working on the iPad version of Etude.

That said, Etude for iPhone is a fantastic learning experience and would pair nicely with Nota if you’re just starting out or looking to advance yourself on the piano. Etude is on for just $2.99 for a few more days in to the start of next week.