Kiñit iOS App.
Hear the soul of Ethiopian music, and learn to recognize it.
Kiñit is the five-note modal system behind Ethiopian music, from traditional folk songs to Mulatu Astatke's Ethio-jazz.
This app teaches you its four traditional modes: Tizita, Bati, Ambassel and Anchihoye.
You can play them, study them, practice hearing them, and point your microphone at live music to find out which one it is.
PLAY
• Play each mode on an interactive piano keyboard or guitar fretboard
• Start the scale on any of the 12 keys, with the root note highlighted
• Auto-play the scale, loop it, and feel each note with haptic feedback
• Piano and guitar sounds come from a sampled sound-font
LEARN
• Learn the mood of each mode: Tizita for nostalgia and longing, Bati for strength and pride, Ambassel for devotion and majesty, Anchihoye for joy and celebration
• See every scale degree and tap any note to hear it
• Read about the history, the culture and how Kiñit works as a system
• Meet the traditional instruments: Kirar, Masinqo, Washint, Begena and Kebero
PRACTICE
• Train your ear with quick quizzes: listen to a scale, then name its Kiñit
• Get instant feedback and watch your score climb
IDENTIFY
• Play or sing near your iPhone and Kiñit listens in real time
• See the notes it detects, the most likely mode, its root note and a confidence score
• All audio is analyzed on your device
WHO IT'S FOR
• Musicians exploring Ethiopian sounds on piano or guitar
• Students, teachers and music lovers curious about how Ethiopian melodies work
PRIVATE BY DESIGN
No account and no tracking. Microphone audio is processed on your device and never recorded or uploaded.
Kiñit's tuning bends with region, performer and instrument, and experts disagree on the exact intervals.
This app uses one widely taught version, so it's a place to start listening rather than the final word.
Contact us for questions, issues or comments