App developer Smlue has been in the virtual instrument business for some time on the iPhone and their Magic Piano app is one of my favorite toys on the iPad. The just released Magic Fiddle app for the iPad is in a whole other class. It’s as close as you’ll ever get to playing a full on virtual violin on your iPad. Vibratto, plucking, scales, arpeggio they’re all here. It’s incredible.

I’ve been playing around with the Magic Fiddle for a while now, working my way through the helpful tutorials that are guided in text instructions by your fiddle (mine’s name is Fiddleroo) in a knowledgeable and funny tone. The tutorials lead you through a brief history of stringed instrument techniques, while slyly exposing you to tidbits of history about the pieces it uses as examples for you to play.

You hold the iPad as you would a violin, with one corner under your chin (sounds weird, works perfectly) and manipulate the strings with your left hand while you bow or pluck with your right. The notes or plucks stream in from the left side of the screed in color coded bunches, if you’ve played any of the rythm tap games out there you know what to expect. It’s a control scheme that should seem awkward but quickly feels completely natural.

It’s truly a one of a kind app and a far cry from the monotonous tap-tap-tap nature of most of the Guitar Hero type games. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in playing a unique and interesting game that has the potential to grow into an amazing community.

Here’s a video of it in action so you can get a taste:

Hello. I am your fiddle. I am programmed to make you a musical prodigy. Your untrained fingers will play beautiful music in a matter of minutes. My fiddlery magic will help you earn high scores, gold medals and fun badges. You and I will be unstoppable on the global leaderboard, competing with fellow fiddlers. Seriously, in the amount of time it took you to read this you could have learned ‘Ave Maria’. I kid you not (fiddles never joke).

You need a Magic Fiddle if any of the following statements are true:

1. You have a crush.
Use me to serenade! (Note: while I will make you endlessly more attractive to members of the opposite sex, I can’t guarantee romantic success)

2. You tried (and failed) to play violin in 5th grade.
Don’t worry; I’ll help you out this time. You’ll be fiddling in no time.

3. You have always wanted to be a musician.
Impress friends, family and fellow fiddlers with your newly found musical talents.

4. You are bored.
I’m great for rainy days or late nights! Earn medals for playing well and compete with fiddlers around the world.

PICK UP AND PLAY:
• Pick up and play beautiful songs by following streams of colored light in my SongBook, no skill required!
• Impress your friends by playing any of my 20 songs I have in my SongBook, from video game theme songs to ‘Ave Maria’ and everything in-between.
• Bow, pluck, trill, and play vibrato and glissandi right from your iPad.

TAKE IT TO THE TOP:
• Earn scores for every song, and medals for playing well. I will be the judge of ‘well’ (not your mother).
• Show off your newly found musical aptitude to your fellow fiddlers by competing for a spot on the global leaderboards.
• Earn badges as you accomplish new heights of fantastic fiddlery.

LEARN FIDDLING TECHNIQUES EASILY:
• Learn basic and advanced fiddle techniques through fun learning adventures with me – my StoryBook takes us on an 8-chapter interactive journey to teach you different techniques with activities and step-by-step instructions.
• Practice your new techniques on real songs as you improve.

LISTEN AND SHARE WITH THE WORLD:
• Listen to other magic fiddlers play on the globe around the world.
• Broadcast your masterpieces for the world to enjoy.
• Show your support for fellow fiddlers by ‘liking’ their songs.