Kindle for reading music

sthomas98 · Regular Member Joined: 20 Jul 2017 Posts: 16

Does anybody use a Kindle for reading sheet music?

I know many musicians use iPads, but I am wondering about the Kindle because I like that the screen is glare-free (more like reading paper, which I prefer), and they are a bit less expensive. They don't seem as popular as iPads are, and I'm wondering why iPads seem preferred over Kindles among musicians.

Brad361 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:01 pm Post subject:

I was using a Kindle, switched to my iPad because the screen is just larger. Hercules makes a nice mount that attaches to a mike stand, by the way.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:02 pm Post subject:

If the kindle has software as good as ForeScore then I might consider.

One thing about epaper is it will need a stand light unless the kindle has a backlight.

Dayton · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:55 am Post subject:

I have the Fire HD 10. I use the Adobe pdf reader on it to read music for practicing when I travel. Works great for that. I have not seen any page turners that work for the Amazon tablets, so am not sure how viable an option that would be for a gig.

If you mean an actual Kindle vice a Fire tablet, the biggest screen size is just 7", which seems like a major limitation.

GuillaumeM · New Member Joined: 04 Oct 2016 Posts: 9

This is interesting. Are you looking for a special kindle ?
In that case, I would look towards Gvido, japan company...
But as good as it looks, this thing has a price that is far beyond an ipad or any kindle... But that looks very great.
Few years ago I had this Idea, how to put scores on a kindle.
Available kindle are way too small in terms of screen size, my opinion so far,
and bigger screens are more expensive, very more....
It's a shame.
IMHO, i think this is the best way to read music as tablets screen really turn the eyes to fatigue...

Voltrane · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:24 am Post subject:

Regarding GVIDO, the reviews are not really positive...and not only because it is ridiculously expensive.
For instance:
https://www.scoringnotes.com/reviews/gvido-music-reader-a-review/

LittleRusty · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:26 am Post subject:

The gvido product looks very nice, but for $1600 US I would find it difficult to justify. The two page setup seems like a nice setup, but having used an iPad with foot pedal I didn’t have any desire to have two pages visible at a time.

Also, I have a Nook with e-ink and I do not find it any better for my eyes than the iPad. I use the iPad for hours at a time with no eye fatigue.

Edit: if you add the case, foot pedal and pen to the gvido product you add another $650 US. Too rich for my blood.

GizB · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 200

You might check out this thread for alternatives to a Kindle or iPad:

https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144514&highlight=

Turkle · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:07 pm Post subject:

I think that in general, trying to do an e-reader solution on the cheap will lead only to misery. Cheap tablets are laggy, have weirdly-shaped screens, and your software may crash in the middle of your gig or rehearsal.

You wouldn't bring a Bundy to your gig, would you? You should consider your tablet the same way - as a professional piece of equipment.

I use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and it's awesome. But the Apple iPad Pro is still the industry standard for a reason.

Good luck!
_________________
Yamaha 8310Z trumpet
Yamaha 8310Z flugel
Curry 3.

Brad361 · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:32 am Post subject:

One other admittedly elementary and low tech way to use either a Kindle or iPad is just take a picture of the chart and store it in an album. I know, time consuming, etc., but it works, no worries about software glitches, etc.

I’ve done this with my iPad, combined with a Hercules iPad mike stand mount, I’m good to go for most situations I run into.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

windchaserb · Regular Member Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 25 Location: MA

I’m using a Lenovo flex 3-15. It’s a laptop which can become a tablet. It’s big enough (15 inch) thatthemusic is easy to see. I use airturn foot pedal for page turning and MusicReader PDF for displaying the pdf music. It also supports a pen so I can mark up the music.
All in all the entire system cost me under $500.
_________________
1941 King SilverTone Cornet
1950 King Master Cornet
F. Besson MEHA Trumpet (Late 1940's)
Jupiter SCR-520 Cornet

GizB · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 200

Apple iPad Pro $800
Lenovo 3 15 $435
Samsung Galaxy $400
Pro 12 tablet $200

Take your pick. I've had the Pro12 for several years. Never failed on a rehearsal or job. Mobilesheets Pro ran about $10-15, and is a great music organizer.

I wouldn't play a Bundy on a gig, but I'm happy with my Bachs & Benges, and I can't afford/don't need a $5000 horn (not that I wouldn't want one).