The PageFlip Firefly is a popular Bluetooth pedal for musicians who have gone digital. But is it the right pedal for you?
Before you test the pedal yourself, consider what it is and the pros and cons. Then, you can make the most informed decision.
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What Is the PageFlip Firefly?
The PageFlip Firefly is a Bluetooth foot pedal that you can use to turn pages when playing sheet music off your iPad. You can also connect to it with a USB cable, but the Bluetooth option is more common.
With this pedal, you can flip forward and backward with the right and left pedals, respectively. It won’t take up a ton of room, but it’s big enough that it’s easy to find with your foot.
Plus, it will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity to keep from going through the battery. And it’s black, so it will blend in on stage with your music stand or a black stage floor.
To keep the pedal from moving around, it has an anti-slip surface on the bottom. While it’s not the most affordable pedal on the market, it’s also not the most expensive.
Who It’s For
I’d recommend the PageFlip Firefly pedal to any musician who uses an iPad or Android tablet to read music. You can get away with features like half page turns, and I did so for three years. But if you don’t want to have to use your hands for page turns, this pedal is great.
Who It’s Not For
Of course, it’s a big waste of money if you don’t use a tablet for sheet music and have no plans to. You may also want to hold off on purchasing it if you don’t feel the need for a pedal. Whether you use half-page turns or another method, you might not need this accessory.
Benefits of a Bluetooth Pedal
Whether you choose the PageFlip Firefly or another Bluetooth pedal, consider the advantages of using this equipment with your iPad.
Easy to Set Up
I don’t remember what it was like to set up the pedal the first time. So it may take a few minutes to establish a connection.
But after that, you can easily turn the pedal on and turn on Bluetooth on your iPad. Then, it will connect, and you can use the pedal right away.
More Convenient Page Turns
You can play a lot of music without using a foot pedal. But there may come a time when you have a piece that you just can’t do without hands-free page turns.
Even if you can do it with your hands, you may not want to. That’s where having a nice pedal, like the Firefly, comes into play.
Turning pages becomes a lot more convenient. Plus, you don’t have to worry about pieces with more than two pages that have no good turns like you would if you used paper.
Forward and Backward Turns
The piece that prompted me to start using a pedal had a DS al coda. That meant I had to turn the page forward, then backward, then forward again.
No matter what you’re playing, you can easily do that with a pedal like the PageFlip Firefly. It has two separate pieces that you can tap with your foot to navigate in the direction you choose.
Drawbacks of a Bluetooth Pedal
Before you jump head first (or is it foot first?) into using a Bluetooth pedal, consider some of the issues that can crop up.
The Signal Can Drop
I think we all know that technology can be finicky. It’s very possible that your pedal may lose its signal right in the middle of a performance or rehearsal.
When using my pedal, I do my best to keep it awake. If we take a break or the director is talking for a while, I’ll tap my pedal back and forth to make sure it still has a signal.
But things happen, and you can’t always control whether the pedal will respond. The battery can die, or your device might not have the best Bluetooth connection.
Now, I’ve only ever used my pedal in an ensemble where other people share the same part. So if the signal does drop, it’s not a huge deal, but it’s worth noting.
Another Added Expense
If you just started using an iPad for sheet music, you’ve most likely spent a good $1k or more. Most good Bluetooth foot pedals are quite expensive.
You can expect to spend another three figures on one. And that doesn’t include other (arguably more important) accessories, like a good case and stylus.
One More Thing to Carry
If you frequently play outside of your home, you’ll have to make sure to pack your Firefly. Sure, it’s not huge, but it does take up space in your bag.
And it’s one more thing to add to your checklist when leaving your house or rehearsal space. If you leave it behind, that’s a pretty expensive mistake if no one else finds it and returns it to you.
I have space in my bag for my Firefly pedal, but my bag is already pretty full. So if you don’t want to carry yet another accessory, you may want to find another way to turn the page.
Battery Life
Then there’s the fact that the battery will die eventually. You’ll have to either charge the battery (and therefore not use the pedal for a while) or replace the batteries.
I’ve used the pedal at least weekly for about nine months, and the battery still works. But I’ll admit I’m a little freaked for when it does die, especially if that happens in the middle of a big solo.
How to Play With a Bluetooth Pedal
Whether you want to try the PageFlip Firefly or a competitor pedal, you should consider what steps to take to minimize issues.
Check the Connection
When you first set up the pedal for a new practice session, check the connection. Open up forScore or your sheet music reader of choice, and use the pedal.
If the page turns, great, you can turn it back to the first page. Otherwise, you’ll need to double check both he pedal and your tablet to see what’s wrong.
Doing this now can keep you from having to do it hurriedly in the middle of a rehearsal or performance.
Have a Backup Plan
Another thing I’d recommend is preparing a Plan B in case the pedal doesn’t work as intended. You can do something like use half-page turns so that you can use your hands if the pedal dies.
I’ve also heard that the AirPods Pro can be used to turn pages with certain sheet music reader apps. I wouldn’t buy those just for page turns, but it’s an option if you have a pair already.
Some apps even use the front camera to track your movements. If you don’t normally move that much, you may be able to use those apps to trigger a page turn.
Experiment With Placement
The next thing you’ll want to do is figure out where to put the pedal. I like to put it under the left front corner of my music stand.
In that spot, it’s easy to reach, but it’s also out of the way. I also like this position because I find it easier to step with my left foot, especially when I’m standing and playing.
But you may find you prefer a different spot for your pedal. Do whatever works for you and makes it easy for you to use the pedal.
Practice With the Pedal
It may seem obvious, but you need to practice with the pedal. Don’t just wait until the performance and hope it does the job.
Incorporate using the pedal into your practice. Just as you would practice any tough lick or phrase, practice tricky page turns with your pedal.
By the time the performance rolls around, you’ll feel much more comfortable.
Other Bluetooth Pedals to Consider
As you search for the best Bluetooth pedal for you, consider more options aside from the PageFlip Firefly. I haven’t tried these other models, but I’ve heard great things about them:
What Is a Page Turn Device Useful For?
A page turn device or pedal is useful for playing sheet music with one or more difficult page turns. If the bottom of one page and the top of the next are full of technical passages, you can use your foot to turn the page on your iPad or tablet.
What’s the Best Sheet Music Reader?
The best sheet music reader can depend on your needs. However, the industry standard is forScore, particularly for iPad users.
But you may want to check out a few sheet music apps and compare them. That way, you can find an app that you like.
Final Thoughts
If you use an iPad for sheet music, you may eventually need to start using a Bluetooth pedal. When that time came for me, I started using the PageFlip Firefly pedal.
It has a lot of great features, and it’s not too big or too small. If you’d like to learn more about using an iPad to read music, check out forScore and more.
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