iPad Pro with ForScore to play music

[Wyvern]

I have been using an iPad Air with ForScore for the last two years for most of my music making. I find it has many advantages. I was once one of the last in the band to find my music, since the iPad I am one of the first to find. Now no lost music, easy page turns (by touching screen or with Bluetooth foot peddle) and I can annotate as much as I like with highlights for DS, repeats, key signatures, etc. Then I can make play lists for every concert with all the music in order. As is frequently the case that I am at the back of poorly lit stage, I can still clearly read the music off the iPad, no problem.

I scan using a program called Scanner Pro with iPad camera and usually have new music when handed out on my iPad within couple minutes. Now I have well over 1100 pieces scanned and online, also safely backed up to my desktop computer and Dropbox.

However the big problem has always been the iPad Air being a lot smaller than most sheet music making those with smaller print difficult to read with my aging eyes. Ever since I first heard about Apple bringing out a larger tablet, I have been waiting with anticipation, so the first weekend when the iPad Pro at last arrived in November I was at the Apple Store to buy.

It has not disappointed - in fact is the perfect device for music making - Every musician should have one. The size is as large as the sheet music and with the back lighting and incredible clear display is easier to read. I am now a happy man!

[Neil Bliss]

I've had the same experience. If you can spring for the cost of the iPad pro, it's real nice to read music on. Bonus: no need to bring a stand light for those dim orchestra pits!

[bort]

I forgot the iPad Pro even existed.

[Tom]

I had the opportunity to check out ForScore on an iPad last week. I noticed that a bass player for a jazz trio playing at the venue I work in had one and I asked him if I could check it out. He did not have a foot pedal with him (just tap to turn the page), but mentioned that he wants to get one. He showed me how it works, how to turn pages, makes notes, etc. I did forget to ask him how he uploads the old sheet music and what scanning program he uses though.

I did feel that the screen was a bit small (he had an iPad Air) vs. what I might prefer, but I could read still read the music. As cool as it was, I have reservations about using one mainly centered around the fact that it's an electronic device with a battery. They can fail for seemingly no reason at all and a drop off a music stand to the floor could damage the device beyond repair. All the music I own and all the music that is loaned to me is printed on paper. The idea of scanning all of that music in to run on an iPad seems like a daunting task, too.

[alloybrass]

Thanks for the tip regarding Scanner Pro. I once lost an entire Trumpet 2 book by loaning it to an unreliable quintet player, which rendered the rest of the books useless. I never loan originals anymore and have been in the process of creating digital backup copies of everything in my book. That way I can simply provide a copy that the players can destroy at their whim.

Upon your recommendation, I installed Scanner Mini on my iPhone and it worked so well that I upgraded to Scanner pro. I find it makes clear copies and I have the opportunity to straighten and crop on the fly because I can see what the scanner sees.

I like the iPad idea, simply because it's easier to carry than a bag full of folders. However, I have to save a few more pennies before I get there.