Even if you can’t play an instrument, you can still make sweet music using your phone. Mix dance tracks or chillout tunes, practise the guitar, play the piano or even sample your own voice to create a unique mix and make yourself a star.
Not a bad way to channel your creativity on a long train ride – and as long as you’ve got your headphones in, nobody needs to know what you’re doing. So you can remix that Steps number or play virtual bongo drums to your heart’s content.
Ethereal dialpad for Android (free)
Despite the name sounding like something you’d only find in an specialist pharmacy, Ethereal Dialpad’s an app you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s a touchscreen synthesizer that lets you create music by dragging your finger round the screen. Truly entrancing – well worth a play.
https://market.android.com/details?id=as.adamsmith.etherealdialpad&hl=en
Guitarist for iPhone (£2.49)
One of the original and best apps for iPhone. Strum away and record your inspiration for later. Switch between different sound effects and guitar types, and try out fretting, strumming or plucking techniques. Plug it into an amp or speakers and you’ve even got an instrument for live performances.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/guitarist/id288105363?mt=8
Nano Studio for iPhone (£10.49)
You’ll be blown away by this: a truly powerful music-making app for your iPhone. It’s got everything you need to create incredible tracks, letting you record samples, mix, arrange, share… plus there’s a great range of effects, synth layers and instruments included. Of course, all this comes at a price – but for experimental music lovers or geeky virtuosos, it’s a must.
