Screen size is a determining factor when choosing an iPad. This is particularly true when there is a certain distance between the instrumentalist and the sheet music. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
Sheet music on iPad: the complete guide
Last updated on March 26, 2025
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. Here’s what I’ve learned.
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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 iPad.
Along with the many positives of using tablets, I’ve also seen the negatives: iPads 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.
Five tablets displaying sheet music on a piano. Only three of them are iPads. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
I buy the iPads, tablets and e-readers with my own money and use them for as long as I like. 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.
1. iPad for sheet music: Which size should you get?
It’s not easy to figure out Apple’s tablet offering, and the new iPad models released in 2024 and 2025 have only added to the confusion. If you’re not familiar with the iPad lineup, hang on, because it’s complicated! I’m going to focus on screen size, because it’s by far the most important feature for reading sheet music.
The Partita № 3 in E major for solo violin by Johann Sebastian Bach on the iPad Pro 13-inch. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
1.1 13-inch and 12.9-inch iPads: just large enough for sheet music
Let’s start with the easiest: The largest iPad model, the 13″ iPad Pro, has a 13-inch screen – it’s the best and most expensive. From there, things start to get complicated. There’s another model that shares the “13-inch” designation, the much less expensive 13″ iPad Air.
The latter has a screen that’s actually 12.9 inches (it’s specified on Apple’s website, but you have to love reading the footnotes – see #13 here). This is the same screen size as the previous generation of iPad Pros, the aptly named 12.9″ iPad Pro.
For reading 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, and 2025, M3 processor), which has a 12.9-inch screen.
- The 12.9″ iPad Pros of the previous generations, especially the 5th (2021, M1 processor) and 6th (2022, M2 processor) generations.
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 the 13-inch and 12.9-inch iPad screens. Areas and dimensions are those of the displays, not the tablets.
1.2 11-inch and smaller iPads: maybe too small for sheet music
It’s even harder to navigate the range of smaller iPad models, which are fortunately a little less expensive. The current 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 thus has exactly the same screen size as the 10th (2022) and 11th (2025) generation “regular” iPad.
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 were exactly 11 inches.
- The 11-inch iPad Air (2024, M2 processor, and 2025, M3 processor) has a 10.86-inch screen. The name may have changed, but it’s still the same screen size as the previous generation, which is rightfully called the iPad Air 10.9-inch.
- The last two generations of “standard” iPads (2022 and 2025) have 10.86-inch screens, just like the 11-inch iPad Air!
Once again, things get a little clearer with a chart that shows the correct proportions. Please note that these iPads are closer to Half Letter (or ISO A5) paper size than Letter size.
A sheet of music compared to the 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. However, they are sufficient for displaying song lyrics with chords, tablatures, or for 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, which is about one-third the size of a sheet of Letter paper, and I’ve never seen it used for music.
2. The best iPads for sheet music
2.1 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 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 13-inch iPad Pro’s screen (right) achieves a higher brightness than the 13-inch iPad Air (left), which can be difficult to read in bright sunlight. Photo: tablets-for-musicians.com
- 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 S10 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 13-inch 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.
2.2 iPad Pro 12.9-inch: Don’t underestimate the older generation!
Even in 2025, 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 Pro 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 or 2025), 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 no longer available, 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).
2.3 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.
Those days are over and the 13-inch iPad Air, introduced in 2024, can save you several hundred euros compared to the 13-inch Pro version. There are two models:
- The first generation, released in May 2024, is powered by an M2 chip.
- The second generation, released in March 2025, is almost identical. The only notable difference is an upgrade to the M3 chip.
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
The M2 chip is more than adequate and the 2024 iPad Air is more than powerful enough in the vast majority of cases. All sheet music reading apps run perfectly on it.
On the other hand, the 2025 version with M3 chip is recommended if you do 4K video editing, complex audio recordings with many tracks and lots of effects, or for video games that are a bit demanding.
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
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.
Apple Pencil compatibility
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.
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
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).
The 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!
2.4 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!
3. Conclusion
This article is not really finished, is it?
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to finish writing this article. An post like this takes dozens of hours, and I’m primarily a musician and a father!
However, I’m publishing it so that it can start being referenced by search engines, and I will resume writing in a few weeks, when I have less concerts.
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:
8 thoughts on “Sheet music on iPad: the complete guide”
Hi, in regards to your thought on 11″ iPad Pro, I use mostly chord charts and lead sheets for performance (keyboardist in band setting) as opposed to full scores, and find the 11″ to be the perfect combination of readable size and portability (to say nothing of being less expensive than the 13″ iPad Pro). With ForScore and an AirTurn Duo, the 11″ does everything I need for this setup and a larger screen would not add any significant advantages.
Thanks for your comment, John. As a classical musician myself, it is not easy to know what musicians of other styles like to use, and your comment is very valuable. I will try to be less negative about smaller iPads in the future. Cheers!
Hi Johannes, Many thanks for very good info! I am wondering why we should avoid the the previous generations (f.i. the 3rd)? Which problems can occur? Quote: “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.”
Hi, Ivo,
When an Apple iPad reaches end-of-support (usually 7 years after Apple stops selling them), it officially becomes “obsolete”. Obsolete iPads lose all support: no more repairs, system updates or security patches. Here is the official list of obsolete iPads.
I simply would not invest in an iPad that will soon be obsolete. The production of the 3rd generation iPad Pro 12.9 you mention was discontinued on March 18, 2020, almost 5 years ago. That means it will soon be “vintage” according to Apple. And in two years it will officially be “obsolete”. If you can get a really good price and the iPad and its battery are in good condition, it might make sense.
Wikipedia has a list of iPads and with their “lifespan” here.
Of course, there is also the “performance” aspect, newer iPads are faster and more responsive. And app support also gets worse and worse as a device gets older. And the battery may need to be replaced after a few years.
On the other hand, there are financial and environmental aspects that are important, of course, and I am absolutely in favor of buying used devices, long life, and cheaper battery replacement!
But in my position here, trying to give advice to musicians whose iPad needs to be super reliable on stage and last for many years, I really can’t recommend buying an older iPad.
Cheers
Johannes
How much memory do you recommend? I have lots of string quartet gig music plus teaching music as well. Would 512 gb ram be sufficient?
Hi Danielle,
512GB of memory is absolutely sufficient to store large amounts of sheet music. As a quick calculation, if you have 450GB of free space (some is taken by the system, photos, etc.) for your scores, let’s take a 15-page scan at 300dpi as an example, which should be 10MB maximum.
You could fit 45,000 (fouty-five thousand) pieces of sheet music into this tablet / iPad, which would be an insanely huge digital music library.
For most people, 256GB of memory is more than enough, and even an older 128GB iPad can hold large amounts of sheet music.
Hope this helps!
Thank you. The next question is how to transfer music from the internet or email to the tablet.
Hi, Ester,
you can import music (typically as a PDF) to your iPad from any source: an e-mail, the IMSLP website, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive… or take pictures via the iPad’s camera.