How do I download free songs?

Step One. Make Sure You Are on Wi-Fi.

To download the free songs in the SingFit catalog, you will need to be connected to Wi-Fi. SingFit’s songs cannot be downloaded over your iPhone or iPad’s 3G or 4G Internet connection, so while you will be able to see and preview songs through your phone line, you will not be able to download the actual music track. See the link below for information that will help you turn on Wi-Fi.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5134025_connect-internet-iphone-wifi.html

Step Two. Find the “Free & Shareable” category of songs.

• All Devices: Launch the app and select “Start Singing.”
• iPad Users: Click the “Songs” button at the top left. A dropdown menu will appear with three tabs at the top: “Your Songs,” “Catalog by Genre” and “Featured.” Choose “Featured.”
• iPhone/iTouch Users: Select the “Featured” tab on the top right of the SingFit screen.

Scroll to the list that appears in alphabetical order to find the “Free & Shareable (Always)” category. This category always features at least five songs. Currently “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “Amazing Grace” are among the most downloaded selections.

Step Three. Download the Song.

You can hear a preview of the song by selecting the round button to the left of the song title or download the entire song to your device by selecting “Download” at the right of the song title.

Once you’ve downloaded a song, it will remain in your device until you choose to delete it. You will be able to sing and record songs without being connected to Wi-Fi. If you choose to share your freshly recorded track via Facebook, Twitter, or email (all of which we highly encourage, along with using the hashtag #SingFit on Twitter), you will need to hop back on your Wi-Fi connection first.

What do I do if my SingFit subscription stops working?

Your SingFit subscription is controlled from within the iPhone/iPad operating system (iOS), but not within SingFit itself. If your subscription is not letting you download songs, first go the Settings app, normally located on the first page of iPhone or iPad apps and choose the Settings icon. Look for an option that reads “iTunes and App Stores.” Tap this option. The iTunes and App Store screen will appear. Look for the option “Apple ID” (which should be followed by your email address) and tap it. A menu of choices will appear. Press “View Apple ID.” You may be prompted for your iTunes password. Enter it and tap “Go.” Under “Subscriptions,” you should see the option “Manage.” Press this and you’ll be given the option to subscribe, if you haven’t subscribed previously, and to select Auto-Renewal by pressing the Auto-Renewal switch. This will activate your subscription and keep it active even if you forget to pay for it. (Auto-Renewal can be turned off at any time.) Do this now, then go to SingFit to see if the subscription is working. You should now be able to download any song in the library. If not, you may have to delete SingFit and reinstall it.

How do I delete SingFit?

On the screen that displays the smiling SingFit icon, press the icon and hold it down. After a few seconds, the icon (and all the other icons on the screen) will start shaking in a rhythmic dance. An “X” will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the SingFit icon. Press it. You’ll be asked if you really want to delete SingFit. Respond with “Delete” and the icon will disappear.

How do I reinstall SingFit?

Find SingFit in the iTunes App Store. (The App Store search engine should help you do this.) Tap the “Free” button, indicating that SingFit will be downloaded for free. Once SingFit has been downloaded, tap “Install” and then, once installation is complete, tap “Open.” SingFit will run. See if the subscription is working now. If not, repeat the step where you go to the Settings app and manage your SingFit subscription as described under “What do I do if my SingFit subscription doesn’t work or stops working?”

What is SingFit exactly?

SingFit is easy-to-use software that utilizes spoken-word prompting to feed the words of a song to a singer, right before they need to be sung. This means that a singer does not need to be able to read or even see to sing the words of the song perfectly. The lyrics are spoken to the singer during SingFit’s specially selected and recorded songs.

Can you show me how it works?

Yes, we can. Check out our demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ20ocUAKOo

How can I purchase SingFit and what does it cost?

You can download SingFit and a collection of public domain songs for FREE from the Apple iTunes App stores for iPod, iTouch and iPad hardware. A $4.99 subscription allows unlimited access to SingFit’s catalog of popular and hit songs.

How can I get in touch with someone at Musical Health Technologies? 

Call us at 323.677.2575 or email info@MusicalHealthTech.com.

Is singing really good for your health? 

Numerous studies support the fact that singing in general can have multiple health benefits. Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the University of London, puts it like this:

“The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the bloodstream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system, which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being.”

While Dr. Daniel Levitian, author of the New York Times’ bestseller This is Your Brain on Music sums it up like this: “Listening to, and even more so, singing or playing music can alter our brain chemistry associated with well-being, stress reduction, and immune system fortitude.”

Some of the most revealing research on how singing rewires damaged portions of the brain and the impacts of singing on our health is being carried out at the Harvard Medical School Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory by Dr. Gottfried Schlaug. You can find Dr. Schlaug’s research here.

We also post links to news and research reports on music, singing and their connection to health on our blog and twitter feed @MusicalHealthT.

Is SingFit music therapy?

SingFit is not music therapy; rather it is a tool designed to support a successful, enjoyable singing experience. Our co-founder, Andy Tubman (a certified music therapist himself) defines music therapy this way: “Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed music therapist addressing positive change in four areas of human functioning: cognitive, physical, psychological and social.”

SingFit is a tool to help create successful singing experiences which, when directed by a healthcare professional, can help achieve therapeutic goals.

Who can use SingFit?

SingFit is recommended for people seven and up. Until that age, neural processing is believed to be unable to differentiate between the multiple audio tracks SingFit utilizes. Other than that, our user testing shows that SingFit can create successful singing experiences for just about everyone, including those with Alzheimer’s, autism, brain injuries, Parkinson’s, impaired vision and other special needs.

What songs are available SingFit catalog?

Click here for the SingFit Music Catalog.

Do you have any hip hop in your SingFit catalog? 

A SingFit song requires space between lyrics in order to insert the spoken lyric prompt. In most genres, about 1 in 10 songs has the required space needed for a SingFit song. With rap, hip hop and most pop recorded after the 1980s, the number of songs that fit our format goes way down because of how dense the lyrics are in those genres. That’s why we are actively seeking submissions for the next great SingFit songs through a series of contests, starting in 2013, with a focus on rap and hip-hop.

Why is this different than karaoke?

In traditional karaoke a singer must read the words of the song. For that reason, people with certain conditions like Alzheimer’s, special needs or low vision typically have been excluded from using karaoke to sing. Plus, we think that, for anyone, being freed up from having to read the words of the song makes for a more spontaneous and enjoyable experience.

Does SingFit have a record feature?

Yes, you will need a headset with a mic attachment. Watch the tutorial here.

Is there a way to turn off the record function?

Yes, we know that some people are shy about even the thought of recording their voice, so in the Settings screen you can choose to eliminate the record function.

What does handicapped accessible mean?

Handicapped Accessible is a function that can be turned on within all Apple mobile devices. It allows users to hear spoken prompts that guide one through the functionality of an app. SingFit was designed in consultation with a specialist in low vision usability in order to best integrate with Accessibility features within iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad Software. For example, you will notice that there are no sliders used within SingFit, making functionality consistent and easy to use for people with low vision.

Why can you share some songs but not others? 

Right now we can only share songs that are in the pubic domain. We are working with our publishing partners to make sharing available on more songs soon.

Can I make my voice sound better?

Make sure the “Reverb” button is switched to “on” in Settings. SingFit does not feature auto tune.

Can I create playlists?

Not yet, but that feature will be available in an update soon.

My question was not answered here. How can I reach Musical Health Technologies? 

Email us at info@MusicalHealthTech.com or ring us at 323.677.2575.