How it works

The idea

Chops uses spaced repetition. You practice an exercise, rate how it went, and the app schedules your next review. Nailed it? See you in a week. Struggled? Tomorrow.

Each exercise exists in all 12 keys. Your C major might be solid while your Db needs work. Chops tracks each key separately.

Practice

The dashboard shows how many cards are due. Click "Start Practice" and work through them.

For each card:

1. See the exercise and key
2. Play it on your instrument
3. Rate yourself honestly

Ratings

Be honest. Overrating slows you down.

Exercises

Browse the library and subscribe to exercises you want to practice. Or create your own with ABC notation - it renders as sheet music and plays back via MIDI.

Custom practice

Filter by exercise, type, or key. Set a timer if you have limited time. Your filters are saved for next session.

The algorithm

Chops uses FSRS, a spaced repetition algorithm based on memory research. It tracks how stable each card is in your memory and schedules reviews right before you'd forget.

You don't need to understand it. Just practice daily and rate honestly.

Tips

• Short daily sessions beat long weekly ones
• Add exercises progressively
• Use the new cards introduction feature to avoid being overwhelmed
• Work slowly on each card first - make sure you can play the exercise without mistakes before rating it and moving on
• Gradually increase speed - you can use the Note field to track your tempo
• Check your stats to find weak keys