The Partita № 3 in E major for solo violin by Johann Sebastian Bach on the iPad Pro 13-inch. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
Sheet music on iPad: the complete guide
Last updated on July 30, 2024
As an orchestra musician and chamber music player, I use an iPad to read digital sheet music for my daily practice, as well as for rehearsals and concerts.
I’ve tested almost every iPad model and major sheet music app over the past few years, along with accessories like wireless pedals (to turn pages) and iPad stands.
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I am a classical musician (violist) with 20 years of professional experience in orchestra and chamber music. For many years, I have been advising colleagues, students, and fellow musicians in the choice of their tablet.
Along with the many positives of using tablets / iPads, I’ve also seen the negatives: tablets crashing just before going on stage, batteries that don’t hold up during long rehearsal days, and missing page turner pedals in concert.
I spent my school years in France, and this article must be riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes, for which I apologize. Feel free to send me any corrections!
There is no test protocol! I use the most different tablets and iPads possible in my real life as a musician, which includes practicing, rehearsing and playing concerts.
In reality, I’m not a pianist, but a violist. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
The iPads, tablets and e-readers are purchased with my own funds and used as long as I please. This means that my reviews are always independent, long term and real life reviews.
Who is this article for?
While this article is primarily aimed at beginners looking to get a foothold in the world of digital sheet music, I think even seasoned iPad users will find many interesting tidbits.
The transition from paper to digital sheet music can be intimidating, but getting started is easier than it looks, and it’s worth the effort. And best of all, there’s no need to do it all at once: it’s entirely possible (and even advisable) to take it one step at a time.
Apple iPad, Android or Windows tablet, e-reader?
This article focuses on sheet music on Apple iPads. If you’re not sure whether to go with an iPad, and are also looking for more general information on Android tablets or Windows 2-in-1s, take a look at the following article:
If you find tablet screens too bright and reflective, or if you play music mainly outdoors, an e-reader may be a better solution than a tablet:
A. Which iPad to choose for reading sheet music?
It’s not easy to figure out Apple’s tablet offering, and the new iPad models released in 2024 have only added to the confusion. If you’re familiar with the iPad line-up, skip a few paragraphs; if not, hang on, because it’s complicated! I’m going to focus on screen size, because it’s by far the most important feature for displaying sheet music.
The 13-inch iPad Pro has a slightly larger screen than the 13-inch iPad Air, and their colorimetry is different. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
Large iPads
Let’s start with the easy one: The largest iPad model, the 13″ iPad Pro, has a 13-inch screen – it’s the best and most expensive. From there, it gets complicated. There’s another model sharing the “13-inch” designation, the much less expensive 13″ iPad Air.
The latter has a screen that actually measures 12.9 inches (it’s specified on Apple’s website, but you’ve got to love reading the footnotes – see #11 here). This is the same screen size as previous-generation iPad Pros, the aptly named 12.9″ iPad Pro.
To read sheet music comfortably on a large iPad, there are three models to consider, but only two screen sizes:
- The 13″ iPad Pro (2024, M4 processor)
- The 13″ iPad Air (2024, M2 processor), whose screen measures 12.9 inches
- The 12.9″ iPad Pros from previous generations, in particular the 5th (2021, M1 processor) and 6th (2022, M2 processor) generation.
And since a good sketch is better than a long speech, here’s a graph that includes a comparison with the size of a sheet of paper (proportions respected):
ISO A4 and Letter paper sizes compared to 13-inch and 12.9-inch iPad screens. The surfaces and dimensions are those of the screens and not those of the tablets.
Smaller iPads
It’s even harder to find your way around the range of smaller iPad models, which are fortunately a little less expensive. The latest 11-inch iPad Pro has a diagonal of 11.1 inches, while the 11-inch iPad Air has a diagonal of 10.86 inches – again according to a reliable source: Apple (see footnote #1).
The 11-inch iPad Air therefore has exactly the same screen size as the 10th (2022) and 11th generation “normal” iPad, the latter of which is likely to be released in fall 2024.
So there are three screen sizes and three iPad models, arranged as follows:
- The 11-inch iPad Pro (2024, M4 processor) has an 11.1-inch screen, the previous generations exactly 11 inches.
- The 11-inch iPad Air (2024, M2 processor) has a 10.86-inch screen. The name has changed, but it’s the same screen size as previous generations, rightly named iPad Air 10.9 inches.
- The “standard” iPads of the last two generations (2022 and coming in fall 2024) have a 10.86-inch screen, just like the 11-inch iPad Air!
Here, too, things become clearer with a diagram showing the right proportions. Note that these iPads are closer to Half Letter (or ISO A5) paper size than Letter size.
A music sheet compared to 11-inch and 10.9-inch iPad models.
Personally, I find the iPad models in the diagram above too small to display most sheet music at a comfortable size. They are, however, sufficient for displaying song lyrics with chords, tablatures, or learning an instrument with a dedicated app (such as Simply Piano, Flowkey or Yousician).
For the sake of completeness, there’s also an even smaller iPad, the iPad mini. It has an 8.3-inch screen, equivalent to a third of a sheet of Letter paper, and I’ve never seen it used for music.
B. The best iPads for sheet music
1. iPad Pro 13-inch: excellence, but at a high price
There’s no doubt about it: the 13-inch iPad Pro is the best iPad for reading sheet music. However, the differences with the previous 12.9-inch models and with the 13-inch iPad Air are not as great as the huge price difference suggests.
The biggest difference lies in the new, incredibly fast M4 processors. However, most musicians don’t need an extremely fast processor. In particular, for reading or editing sheet music, an M1 or M2 processor is more than enough.
The 13-inch iPad Pro is the best iPad for reading sheet music, but it is extremely expensive. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
The superiority of the 13-inch iPad Pro lies more in a large number of small details or slight improvements, some of which are listed below:
- The screen of the 13-inch iPad Pro is only 1.5% larger than that of its predecessor, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A difference of 1.23 square inches that is slightly noticeable, but all in all negligible.
The screen of the 13-inch iPad Air (left) is only slightly smaller than that of the 13-inch iPad Pro (right). Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
- One of the most important points for musicians who play outdoors: the maximum brightness of the 13-inch iPad Pro is higher than that of the older 12.9-inch models, but also higher than that of the 13-inch iPad Air. The display is also less reflecting, resulting in less glare. The difference outdoors, especially in direct sunlight, is quite appreciable. For me personally, this is the biggest advantage of the 13-inch iPad Pro.
- The iPad Pro 13 supports the new Pencil Pro, the best stylus currently available on any platform. The new pinch feature is both intuitive and absolutely delightful, and lets you bring up the context menu in forScore, for example. And the haptic feedback makes it a pleasure to use. The Pencil Pro is compatible with the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro and Air models released in 2024, but not with the older 12.9-inch iPad Pros.
The first generation Apple Pencil looks a lot like the Apple Pencil Pro, but the latter is much better. In the middle, the Samsung S-Pen. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
- The iPad Pro 13 charges faster than other iPad models: it takes two hours to fully charge, which is almost half an hour less than the 13-inch iPad Air. It is also the only iPad model that charges as quickly as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
- The 13-inch iPad Pro is incredibly thin (0.20 inch / 5.1 mm) and light (1.28 lbs / 579 g) for a tablet of this size. This is certainly not a key point, and of course it’s not necessary for reading sheet music. But it is a significant comfort factor in everyday use, to be considered over many years of use. It fits into many instrument cases, and every time I go on a trip, I’m grateful for its lightness and the little space it takes up.
Thickness comparison, from bottom to top: the 13-inch iPad Air (0.24 in / 6.1 mm), the 13-inch iPad Pro (0.20 in / 5.1 mm) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (0.22 in / 5.5 mm). Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
The 13-inch iPad Pro has many other small details or advantages over the iPad Air or previous 12.9-inch generations: for example, the improved True Tone adaptive flash for better scanning of sheet music, better speakers or the (overpriced) nano-textured screen option to reduce reflections.
Pros
- Unmatched performance, ready for the future
- Large, low-reflection, high-brightness screen, usable for outdoor gigs
- Supports the new Pencil Pro
- Extremely thin and light
- Fast charging (up to 40 W)
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- No certification for water and dust resistance
- At this price, battery life could be even better
- Comes with a “slow” 20W charger
iPad Pro 13-inch for sheet music: Verdict
The 13-inch iPad Pro is the best iPad for making music and reading sheet music, there’s no question about it. For professional musicians, advanced amateurs and students with sufficient budget, it’s the best choice. The exorbitant price tag has to be balanced against a probable lifespan of a decade.
2. iPad Pro 12.9-inch: Don’t underestimate the older generation!
Even in 2024, 12.9-inch iPad Pros are an excellent choice. While you should be careful to avoid the first models that are reaching their end-of-life, the 5th (2021, M1 processor) and 6th (2022, M2 processor) generation are still amazing.
Of course, you’ll lose two or three years of lifespan (software support and security updates) compared to a new 13-inch iPad Pro, but the saving should be several hundred bucks.
If you can get your hands on a 5th or 6th generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch, go for it! Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
Most of the “Pro” functions, which are not available on the 13-inch iPad Air, are indeed present on the 12.9-inch models. These include:
- Face ID, the most convenient way to unlock your iPad, especially when you have a musical instrument in your hands.
- The four speaker audio system.
- Five “studio-quality” microphones and stereo recording.
- The “True Tone” flash (useful for scanning sheet music).
- Higher brightness in XDR mode.
You can compare all these points on the Apple website: Compare iPad models.
Pros
- M1 and M2 processors more than adequate for reading sheet music
- Excellent screen (better than the 13-inch iPad Air)
- All the advantages of the Pro models, including Face ID
Cons
- Not compatible with the new Pencil Pro
- Slow charging (up to 30 W)
- A few years of lifespan / software support are already gone
iPad Pro 12.9-inch for sheet music: Verdict
If I had the choice between a 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021 or 2022) and a 13-inch iPad Air (2024), I would take the iPad Pro. The screen is better, and I use Face ID several times a day to unlock my iPad when I’m practicing.
New models are becoming scarce, but the second-hand market is quite large, for example on Amazon*, Black Market, Gazelle or RefurbMe. Apple also offers refurbished iPads on its “Certified Refurbished” store (at least in the USA, Canada, and the UK).
3. iPad Air 13-inch: finally a less expensive large iPad
For years, musicians looking for an iPad big enough to display sheet music in a decent size had no choice: they had to break the bank to buy a 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
The 13-inch iPad Air, released in May 2024, really is less expensive compared to the 13-inch Pro version. I’m sure this new model will be a big hit with musicians!
After six generations of extremely expensive iPad Pros, Apple has finally released a more affordable large iPad: the 13-inch iPad Air. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
While the 13-inch iPad Air lacks features like Face ID and camera flash (and is thicker and heavier than the pro version), it’s still perfectly suited to reading sheet music.
The 13-inch iPad Air is absolutely good enough for reading sheet music, but you’ll have to do without Face ID. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
The 13-inch iPad Air is compatible with Apple’s new stylus, the Pencil Pro (which is really great), but not with the old non-pro version.
You can also use the cheaper “Apple Pencil (USB-C)” (sic) to cut the price by a third. But honestly, cable management is just a pain, so prefer the Pro version if you can!
Like all Apple tablets, this one is compatible with any Bluetooth page turner.
Pros
- Supports the new Pencil Pro
- M2 processor perfectly adequate for reading and editing sheet music
- The most affordable large iPad
Cons
- “Pro” functions (including Face ID) not available
- Only two speakers
- Slow charging (up to 30 W)
13-inch iPad Air: Verdict
It would hardly be an exaggeration to call the 13-inch iPad Air a blessing for musicians. It offers almost all the features of the iPad Pro for substantially less money. If you don’t want to break the bank or don’t have the budget for the Pro versions, you won’t be disappointed by this model.
The best iPad holders / music stands for large iPads
The music stand I recommend for 12.9″ and 13″ iPads is the “K&M 19775 Biobased Tablet Holder”. Despite its barbaric name, it is the most universal high-quality stand available, it is compatible with all the larger iPads and tablets, with or without a protective case.
In some photos on this page, you can see iPads in the K&M 19793 “triangular” music stand. This probably the most elegant music stand around, but it will not fit iPads with thick protective cases (0,43 in / 11 mm is the maximum allowed thickness).
Best accessory for music stands
Finally, there is one accessory I wouldn’t want to miss: a music stand tray. With most tablet holders and tablets stands, you can’t attach the Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the side of the iPad. And there’s nowhere to put a tuner, cell phone or other accessories. Here’s the solution!
4. 11-inch and smaller iPads: not ideal for reading sheet music
I suspect it would never occur to anyone to voluntarily read sheet music in half-letter format. This is especially true for musical instruments that require a certain distance between the player and the sheet music, such as string instruments or percussions.
Similarly, I cannot advise anyone to buy an 11-inch iPad (or smaller) to make music and read sheet music.
The 13-inch iPad Air (2024) compared to a 2018 iPad (9.7-inch screen). Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
As I only play classical music, I lack the experience of other musical styles. I imagine that for some singers, an 11-inch iPad may be sufficient, and there are certainly plenty of scenarios in which a regular-sized iPad is just right. I’d be really delighted if you could share your experience in the comments!
This article is not really finished, is it?
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to finish this article before the summer vacations. An article like this takes dozens of hours, and I’m primarily a musician and a father!
Three good reasons for not finishing an article. The young creatures are playing with the Beat Maker Pro, Drum Pad Machine and Groovepad apps. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
However, I’m publishing it so that it can start being referenced by search engines, and will resume writing in September, after concerts in Nuremberg (Germany), the south of France and a few vacations.
The rest of this article has to be seen as a draft, but it still contains useful information and some nice pictures!
C. The best sheet music apps for iPad
Read your scores and manage your digital sheet music library
To manage your scores on iPad (usually in PDF format), you’ll need a main sheet music app. And depending on your needs, you’ll be able to choose from a large number of “secondary” apps, which will be used mainly to download scores to be imported into the main app.
1. Choose your main sheet music app
There are only three iPad apps that I can recommend to almost any musician as a primary application for both managing a digital score library and reading (and annotating) sheet music: MobileSheets, forScore and Newzik. All three are excellent applications, and while they have few imperfections, each has its own strengths.
1.1. forScore: the reference application
The forScore app was one of the first sheet music apps available after the first iPad came out in 2010. Needless to say, it has had time to be refined, and it is not for nothing that it has become the reference in the field.
The forScore sheet music reading app. Despite its many qualities, it uses small dialog boxes and is not ideal for managing large numbers of songs, especially when they have long titles.
Pros
- The reference application
- One-time purchase ($20 USD, £20, €23, or $25 CAD) for almost all functions. A subscription to forScore Pro is not necessary for normal usage
- A host of excellent tools (tuner, remote control via iPhone, etc.)
- Very good integration with iPadOS, iPhone and Mac versions
Cons
- Google Drive integration not particularly polished
- Long file names not displayed in full
- Annotation toolbar overlaps the first staff
- Available only on Apple devices
Useful links
1.2. MobileSheets
MobileSheets only landed late on iPad, in December 2022, but has been around since 2011 on Android and since 2016 on Windows. It’s the most widely used sheet music reading application on these two operating systems.
MobileSheets is my favorite score-reading application. Its music library management tools are truly advanced, and the app is highly customizable.
Sheet music management with MobileSheets on iPad.
Pros
- Very complete and mature application
- Advanced sheet music library management
- Excellent library synchronization, backup and export functions
- Multi-platform
- One-time purchase ($15 USD, £15, €18, or $20 CAD) for all functions!
Cons
- No built-in tuner
- Steep learning curve
- The latest Pencil Pro functions (such as squeezing) are not yet supported
- The “MobileSheets Companion” desktop application is available only on Windows (but it’s not necessary)
Useful links
1.3. Newzik
Update planned for early September!
The Newzik interface takes up quite a lot of space
Pros
- One-time purchase for normal usage (Newzik Essentials, $20 USD, £20, €20, or $25 CAD)
- Advanced AI-powered music recognition features
- …
Cons
- Expensive subscription for advanced features (yearly $40 USD, £40, €40, or $50 CAD)
- The toolbars take up a lot of space and often overlaps the score
- …
Useful links
2. More useful sheet music apps
Here are some more sheet music apps which I do recommend, but certainly not as main app for reading and managing sheet music: the IMSLP app, MuseScore and the Henle Music Library.
2.1 The IMSLP app
Although they have much in common, the IMSLP application should not be confused with the IMSLP website.
2.3. MuseScore
Here too, we must not confuse:
- the free MuseScore scorewriter (at musescore.org)
- the musescore.com website and the MuseScore paid app (although there is a free trial mode for up to five scores)
2.3 Henle Library app
Essential for classical music, but with room for improvement
Henle is well known to “classical” musicians, and hard to miss if you’re a pianist or a string player. The German company specializes in Urtext publishing and boasts a catalog of 1,250 titles. The quality of their sheet music prints is hard to beat.
The Henle Library app is available for iPad, iPhone and on Macs with an M1 or M2 processor (and also for Android devices). I often buy printed sheet music from Henle, and also use their app to buy digital sheet music.
Home page of the Henle Library app on iPad.
In my opinion, the Henle Library is not meant to be your main score-reading app. It lacks too many features in comparison with forScore and MobileSheets, for example, it’s impossible to import sheet music in PDF format.
On the other hand, it does provide other features that are absolutely unique to it: fingerings of famous musicians (historical and contemporary, see the list on Henle’s website) or the ability to jump from a bar in a part to the same bar in the score, and vice versa.
The score annotation mode is original and very pleasant to use, but takes up a lot of screen space.
I usually buy sheet music on the Henle app and work on it for a while, long enough to read the Urtext annotations. When I’m lucky, I can look at the fingerings suggested by violists who fly leagues above me, such as Nobuko Imail, Nils Mönkemeyer, Timothy Ridout or Antoine Tamestit.
In some pieces, one can even alternate between fingerings proposed by different musicians. The choice is fairly limited for viola sheet music, but much greater for piano, violin, and cello.
In concert, I don’t like alternating between apps, and I prefer to stick with my main sheet music app. As it’s rare for all the pieces in a program to be on the Henle Library, I eventually export the score in PDF format, and import it into forScore, MobileSheets or Newzik.
The “Printed Layout” mode, which is supposed to display the scores as in the printed edition, is unfortunately not ideal.
Although the Henle Library app is full of great features and clever details (I couldn’t list them all), it also has many weaknesses.
The “Printed Layout” mode, which I would prefer to use, is not really appealing: The margins are too wide and not customizable, and the staff distribution on the screen is not optimal. Apple Pencil functions are not customizable or are not supported, etc.
There are plenty of details which make the Henle Library not a universal sheet music reading app, but it still serves its purpose very well.
Pros
- Catalog of 1,250 pieces
- Legendary Henle quality
- Fingerings of famous musicians
- Smart jumps between parts and score
- Unique in its field
Cons
- Many missing features (PDF import, lack of customization, etc.)
- Imperfect “Printed Layout” mode
- No discount when buying both print and digital versions of the same work