Music notation for iPhone and iPad
A sketchpad for music
Practise smarter, play better.
Tap a note value, drag it to the right pitch, and hear it played straight back. Copy out the passage you're practising, or write down an idea before you forget it.
Free for 7 days with a monthly or annual subscription, for new subscribers. Cancel any time.
As quick as a calculator
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Tap a note value
Every note value, from a breve to a 1/128 note, has its own large key, and one more key turns them into rests. Tap one, and it appears on the stave.
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Drag to the pitch
Slide up or down to move the note, and sideways for sharps and flats. Its name, such as G#, shows on the key as you go.
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Press play
Hear it straight away, at the tempo you choose, on piano, strings, woodwind, brass and more.
Copy it out, then practise
Write out the bars you're working on: an exercise, a difficult passage, or the piece your teacher set. Hear exactly how it should sound. Then slow it down, let it loop while you play along, and bring the tempo back up as it improves.
- Hear the right notes in the right rhythm before you play them
- Slow it right down, then raise the tempo as you improve
- Playback loops, so you can play along as often as you like
- Simple enough for children to use on their own
Catch ideas as they come
Write down a melody before you forget it and hear it played straight back. Add chords, or write up to four voices on a stave, and hear every part together.
- Chords, and up to four voices per stave: soprano, alto, tenor and bass
- Several parts, each with its own instrument and volume
- Any key from the circle of fifths, with key and clef changes anywhere
- Export MusicXML to finish a piece in desktop notation software
Real notation, made simple
Hear every part
25 instrument sounds, from grand piano and harpsichord to violin, flute and French horn. Give each part its own sound and volume, and watch each note light up as it plays.
Pick any key
Choose a key signature straight from the circle of fifths. Clefs, time signatures and tuplets have keys of their own too: treble, bass, alto and tenor clefs, simple and compound time, and triplets and other tuplets.
Shape every note
Add accents, staccato, tenuto and up to three dots, or drag the note options key to step through them. Ties have a key of their own.
Share your music
Everything you write is saved in your library and named for you. Import and export MusicXML to move music between Music Calculator and other notation software.
Good to know
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Works offline
Write and play with no connection. The app only needs to go online now and then, to confirm your subscription.
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No account to create
There's nothing to sign up for. Your purchase belongs to your Apple Account.
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Your music stays on your device
Pieces are saved in the app on your iPhone or iPad. Export them as MusicXML whenever you like.
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No adverts
Nothing pops up while you write or practise.
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In 11 languages
English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish.
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For iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad with iOS or iPadOS 18 or later.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Music Calculator?
- A sketchpad for music notation on iPhone and iPad. Tap a note value on the keypad, drag it to the right pitch, and press play to hear it. It's made for short passages: the bars you're practising, or an idea you want to keep.
- Can it play sheet music back to me?
- Yes, once you've written it in. Music Calculator doesn't scan printed music: you copy out the bars you need on the keypad, which is quick for a short passage, and it plays them back exactly as written.
- Can I slow a passage down and loop it?
- Yes. Long-press play to set the tempo, anywhere from 30 to 240 beats per minute. Playback loops, so you can play along again and again, and you bring the tempo back up as you improve.
- Is it easy enough for children?
- Yes. Each note value has its own large key, and you drag a note to its pitch, with no menus of tiny icons. The note's name shows as you drag, which helps anyone still learning to read the stave.
- Can I write chords and four-part harmony?
- Yes. Add chords, and write up to four voices on each stave (or staff), so soprano, alto, tenor and bass can sit on two staves and play together. You can add several parts, each with its own instrument.
- Which instruments does it play?
- 25 sounds, including grand piano, harpsichord, guitar, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba.
- How much does Music Calculator cost?
- Choose a monthly or annual subscription, each with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, or a one-off lifetime purchase. All three unlock the whole app, under the name Music Calculator Pro. The App Store shows the price in your currency before you buy, and you can cancel a subscription at any time.
- Is there a free version?
- No. Music Calculator needs a subscription or the lifetime purchase. The monthly and annual subscriptions each start with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, so you can try everything before you pay.
- How do I cancel?
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and choose Music Calculator Pro. Cancel at least 24 hours before the free trial or the current period ends to avoid the next charge. The lifetime purchase never renews, so there's nothing to cancel.
- Can I use my music in other notation software?
- Yes. Music Calculator imports MusicXML (.musicxml, .xml and .mxl files) and exports .musicxml, the standard format most notation software reads.
- What can't it do?
- It's built for sketches, not finished scores. It doesn't do dynamics, slurs, lyrics or chord symbols, it can't print or export PDF, audio or MIDI, and it doesn't scan sheet music. When a piece grows, export MusicXML and finish it in desktop notation software.
- Which devices and languages does it support?
- iPhone and iPad with iOS or iPadOS 18 or later. The app is in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish.
Try Music Calculator free for 7 days
A sketchpad for music, for practice and for composing, on iPhone and iPad.
The 7-day free trial comes with the monthly and annual subscriptions, for new subscribers. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. A one-off lifetime purchase is also available. Terms of Use · Privacy Policy