The new game-based educational app helps develop the rhythmic skills of users using Reich’s minimalist masterpiece.

The grand doyen of American minimalism, Steve Reich, is one of the most influential and popular living composers in the world today. The musical pioneer has now collaborated on the development of a new free app to improve musical learning, based on the rhythmic patterns found in one of his most important explorations of “phasing”, Clapping Music.

Released earlier this month by acclaimed app developer, Touchpress, the Clapping Music app, aims to explore how modern, touchscreen technology can be exploited to develop rhythmic skills that can contribute to a wider understanding an aptitude for music. The app is available for download exclusively from the iTunes appstore for their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Developed with Reich by the UK’s premiere contemporary music ensemble, the London Sinfonietta, and students from Queen Mary University of London, the app challenges users to perform Reich’s iconic 1972 minimalistic piece.

Reich’s whole piece is based on one simple rhythmic pattern that two people clap together. Two clappers, initially, clap the same rhythmic pattern. However, every twelve...