If you have an iPad, you should download the app forScore and learn some forScore tips. Then, you’ll be able to use it as efficiently as possible.
Read on for some advanced tips and tricks.
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The best forScore tips can help you make the most of the app. If you don’t already have the app, I suggest downloading it to your iPad. That way, you can put the following tips into action.
Crop Your Sheet Music
One of the benefits of using an iPad for sheet music is the flexibility. If you use forScore, you can crop the PDFs that you import. That way, you can get rid of any white space so that the music takes up the whole screen.
This is especially important if you’re using a regular iPad. I used one for a few years, and I would crop everything to make the notes bigger. Even on my newer iPad Pro, I still crop the music so that it’s as easy as possible to read.
You can crop the sheet music under the briefcase icon on the right side of the menu. Crop as much as you can out to maximize your screen real estate.
Enable Half-Page Turns
By default, tapping the right side of the screen in forScore will turn to the next page. But you can open the top menu and tap on the gear and tap on the split screen icon.
That way, when you turn a page, it will only turn the top half. You can adjust the slider on the right side of the screen to be as high or down on the page as you want. So if you need to turn the page two-thirds of the way down, you can do so.
This quickly became my favorite forScore tips, and I still use it a lot. I did start using a Bluetooth pedal, which eliminates the need, but it’s nice to have half-page turns if my pedal stops working.
Switch to Landscape View
Another tip to try when using forScore is to use your iPad in landscape. This allows you to either view two whole pages at a time or half of one page at a time. All you have to do to activate it is to rotate your iPad 90 degrees.
Now I wouldn’t use this in a performance since the notes are really small if you view two pages. And unless you have a pedal, the page turns of the half-page view can get awkward.
But it’s a good option for practicing. You can view things like your scales and etudes in a larger print with the half-page view. That’s especially nice if you have a smaller iPad model.
Use a Highlighter
Another one of my favorite forScore features is the highlighter. You can find this in annotation mode. Instead of marking in black or blue ink, you can mark over your music in a highlighter color of your choice.
I’ll do this to help with a few things. First, I’ll use it to mark my part when I’m playing from a score. If I’m using the half-page turn feature, I’ll also mark a dot near the rest where I need to turn the page.
I’ve also used it to mark key changes or other things that I keep forgetting to implement when I play. The highlighter provides more of a contrast than a black ink, so it’s easier to see things.
Create Setlists
On the left side of the menu, you can tap on the three lines. That will bring up your list of setlists. I’ve used these to compile all of the music for an ensemble or a solo recital.
That makes it easy to find pieces, especially if they’re scattered throughout my general library of files in forScore. I also like that it almost turns them into a single file.
So if I tap past the last page of the first piece in the setlist, it will go to the second piece automatically. That’s super helpful during a concert since I don’t have to search for the next piece or worry about what the order is.
Rearrange Pages
Under the briefcase, you can tap on Rearrange. This will bring up all of the pages in their current order. You can drag and drop the pages or even delete pages you don’t need.
I like moving cover pages out of the way. That way, when I open the piece in forScore, the first thing I see is the first page of music. It sounds simple, but it can save a lot of time.
This past summer, I was in an orchestra that only played Mars and Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets. I was able to use the rearrange feature to move the other movements out of the way.
Tune Your Instrument
Next to the briefcase, you’ll find an icon that brings up a metronome, tuner, and drone. I don’t use the forScore tuner that much since it’s not as accurate as other tuners, especially when it comes to the piccolo.
But it’s nice to have that feature right in the app. If I need to check my pitch quickly, I can do so without switching apps.
It’s nice to be able to use the tuner or drone while looking at my music. I don’t have to memorize the music or use a tuner on my phone or a physical Korg tuner.
Play With a Metronome
The forScore metronome is under the same icon as the tuner. But this feature is a whole lot better and more useful. You can set the tempo and the number of beats per measure.
You can also set the metronome to turn the page automatically after you go through the number of measures on the page. Of course, this won’t work for pieces with different tempos.
However, my favorite part is that you can use an audio or visual metronome. So if you have a piece that never changes tempo, you can use the visual metronome to stay on track, and the audience will never know.
Export Your Annotations
You can also export a PDF with all of your forScore annotations. This is an excellent option if you need to perform on a paper copy. For example, you may need to do this for certain auditions.
It’s also useful for private teachers. If you make annotations of a student’s music, you can send the copy to them to work off of. Then, they can add the marks to their own copy of the piece.
You’ll do this under the briefcase menu by tapping on Share. Tap on Annotated PDF so that the markings are included.
Get Some forScore Accessories
Some of the best forScore tips are easiest to use with a few accessories. Here are a few gadgets you may want to consider using with your iPad.
First, I’d recommend an Apple Pencil. Make sure you get the generation that’s compatible with your iPad. Unlike other styluses, forScore will automatically enter annotation mode when an Apple Pencil touches the screen.
If you don’t want to deal with half-page turns, you’ll want to use a Bluetooth pedal. That way, you can turn pages with your foot. I use a PageFlip Firefly, but you can choose from a ton of options.
Put These forScore Tips to Use
The right forScore tips can make it easier to use the app. If you’re already a fan, you may know the basics, so give these advanced features a try.
And don’t forget to download your copy of forScore and More for even more tips and tricks!
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