Format: App for iPad only and requires iOS 7 or higher.
Pricing - $6.99
Description: forScore is a document reader with a whole lot of extra functions. Designed from a rehearsal standpoint there are a lot of great functions for the director to manipulate a score just as they would a paper version. Annotating, typing text, writing notes, and cropping are just some of the basic functions of the app. You can either scan from another source and upload the files, purchase from their in-app store, or take photos and upload right from the iPad. Adding some other rehearsal tools like a metronome, mini piano, and tuner are some of the other selling points of the app.
Features:
My Experience: I have had this app for a few years and have used it off and on. It can be a really great rehearsal tool, but it is also a nice way of just eliminating some clutter while on the podium. Switching between tunes is as easy as two taps if you have it well organized. The dark-room feature allows you to be able to simply take pictures of the scores rather than try and scan them (great for oversized scores). The best viewing comes when you have a generated .pdf document though. I haven't made this a staple in my rehearsals simply because sometimes it is more of a hassle to upload the scores in a way that I am pleased to rehearse with. Also I just can't part with my Dr. Beat. The visible metronome function is great because it pulses the sides of the score, but can become trippy. Page turns are easy as a tap in the direction you would like to go, though be careful you don't accidentally tap the scroller at the bottom and jump to the end of the piece! A rarity, but it did happen...at contest...
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts:
I do like this app. I can't say that I use it a whole lot, but do try and utilize functions a little more each year. There are some great things that you can do with it, and being able to show kids the score on an overhead (if you have the connections) is a great thing in a rehearsal. i find that this is really more of a great tool for score study. It is nice not lugging around four bands worth of literature, but at the same time it is a process to upload all of that material as well. The page turns are easy enough and you can even buy an adapter to turn pages with a foot pedal from the company's website or there is a $.99 app called cue where you can use another iOS device to turn the page through bluetooth (haven't tried this one yet. Future post?...). Overall I am going to rate this app as a maybe try it. I know that it has a lot of potential, but the whole iPad in the rehearsal is still a new concept. I think that it is a good one to have (especially in case they keep raising the price). I bought this for $4.99 a few years ago and it has gone up due to newer features (don't have to pay for the new ones though, woot!). In any case. Maybe go for it. It's up to you.
Pricing - $6.99
Description: forScore is a document reader with a whole lot of extra functions. Designed from a rehearsal standpoint there are a lot of great functions for the director to manipulate a score just as they would a paper version. Annotating, typing text, writing notes, and cropping are just some of the basic functions of the app. You can either scan from another source and upload the files, purchase from their in-app store, or take photos and upload right from the iPad. Adding some other rehearsal tools like a metronome, mini piano, and tuner are some of the other selling points of the app.
Features:
- Easily sortable Library searchable by title, composer, or recently added
- Searchable rehearsal markers
- Note taking right on the score (typed or scribbled)
- In-app metronome that can make a sound, "pulse" the screen, or both
- Mini piano
- Tuning pitches
- Ability to share work as a .pdf or 4SC (forScore) documents
- Store for browsing their uploaded score. Some free, some for purchase
My Experience: I have had this app for a few years and have used it off and on. It can be a really great rehearsal tool, but it is also a nice way of just eliminating some clutter while on the podium. Switching between tunes is as easy as two taps if you have it well organized. The dark-room feature allows you to be able to simply take pictures of the scores rather than try and scan them (great for oversized scores). The best viewing comes when you have a generated .pdf document though. I haven't made this a staple in my rehearsals simply because sometimes it is more of a hassle to upload the scores in a way that I am pleased to rehearse with. Also I just can't part with my Dr. Beat. The visible metronome function is great because it pulses the sides of the score, but can become trippy. Page turns are easy as a tap in the direction you would like to go, though be careful you don't accidentally tap the scroller at the bottom and jump to the end of the piece! A rarity, but it did happen...at contest...
Pros
- Nice resources for in app use - metronome, tuning pitches, annotation
- Easy to read - as clear as the picture or scan you take
- Zooming in - great for tiny font!
- One touch page turns
- Audible and Visible metronome
- Not a huge learning curve - pretty self explanatory
Cons
- Cost - Even though it has a lot of extra functions that work - if you are just using it as a .pdf reader it is too much
- Library shop - mostly pop tunes and piano tunes. Not a whole lot to purchase for ensembles
- Unformatted page turns - if you want to flip the pad make sure that is is supposed to look that way otherwise it becomes a larger process for page turns
Final Thoughts:
I do like this app. I can't say that I use it a whole lot, but do try and utilize functions a little more each year. There are some great things that you can do with it, and being able to show kids the score on an overhead (if you have the connections) is a great thing in a rehearsal. i find that this is really more of a great tool for score study. It is nice not lugging around four bands worth of literature, but at the same time it is a process to upload all of that material as well. The page turns are easy enough and you can even buy an adapter to turn pages with a foot pedal from the company's website or there is a $.99 app called cue where you can use another iOS device to turn the page through bluetooth (haven't tried this one yet. Future post?...). Overall I am going to rate this app as a maybe try it. I know that it has a lot of potential, but the whole iPad in the rehearsal is still a new concept. I think that it is a good one to have (especially in case they keep raising the price). I bought this for $4.99 a few years ago and it has gone up due to newer features (don't have to pay for the new ones though, woot!). In any case. Maybe go for it. It's up to you.
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