Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 115 Location: McLean VA
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:11 am Post subject: Footpedal for iPad and ForScore
I’ve been using ForScore on my iPad in the practice room for a few years, and I’m thinking about using it in performances as well. I think this would work best if I added a Bluetooth footpedal for page turning. Is this a good option? How do folks who use this set-up like it? What are the problems that you encounter with the footpedal? Which footpedal would you get if you could start from scratch?
Turns out that I have never used it even once while performing. I just tap the screen on my tablet when I'm playing to turn the page.
The PedPro is cheap and is a good low-cost option, but I think that it's a little tough to use sometimes (it can be tough to tell if you've actually pressed the button, etc.). If I relied on it in a professional situation, I would recommend one of the bigger ones with an actual mechanical pedal switch, like this: https://www.airturn.com/products/airturn-bt200s-2-controller
Joined: 25 May 2013 Posts: 2123 Location: Atlanta GA
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:59 am Post subject:
I’ve used an AirTurn BT-105 Bluetooth foot pedal with my iPad for years. Works great. I use it in rehearsals and performances, standing and sitting. They might have a newer model number by now.
Tips:
Practice with it at home before using it at a rehearsal or performance. It’s easy to use, but a bit of familiarity will help you avoid beginner mistakes. (Which I’ve made.)
Don’t set it where your neighbor can accidentally stomp it while playing. Yes, this has happened.
If you need to annotate the music with the onscreen keyboard, you have to give the power button on the pedal a quick press and release to activate the keyboard. If you’re using an Apple Pencil, just start writing.
Charge lasts a really long time. Don’t forget to recharge it every so often. _________________ Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi
Joined: 01 Nov 2016 Posts: 77 Location: Ryedale, North Yorkshire, UK
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 10:57 am Post subject:
I bought the iRig Blueboard recently but haven’t set it up yet.
The blueboard is one option that forScore mentions on their website. https://forscore.co/kb/irig-blueboard/
This YouTube video (in French) is how I plan to use it.
I have used a PageFlip Firefly model with my iPad for the last couple of years for practice, rehearsal and performance. Works good for me especially when in the "half page" mode. _________________ Schilke S-32
Schilke M1
Rudy Muck Academy
York Super Custom Cornet
Yamaha YTR-6445HS C Trumpet
Zeus Flugelhorn
Yamaha YTR 2320
Turns out that I have never used it even once while performing. I just tap the screen on my tablet when I'm playing to turn the page.
The PedPro is cheap and is a good low-cost option, but I think that it's a little tough to use sometimes (it can be tough to tell if you've actually pressed the button, etc.). If I relied on it in a professional situation, I would recommend one of the bigger ones with an actual mechanical pedal switch, like this: https://www.airturn.com/products/airturn-bt200s-2-controller
Good luck!
I have both the Airturn PED and the PedPRO. The difference is the original PED took coin batteries, while the PedPRO is an internal battery charged by USB.
I have found that the PedPRO is slower in response. I believe it is some sort of later version BlueTooth power saving mode that makes it go to sleep and have to wake up. What I experience is that you tap it, nothing happens. You say "Crap, 2 measures to go !" hit it again and it takes you 2 pages forward. Then you panic again and back-tap twice but by then the band is already on the next page/sign/coda/whatevs and you really only needed to go back one. Now you've missed your cue and the band is 3 measures ahead.
This happened as well with that flic or clik or whatever it was called - the button. I really do believe power saving features are the culprit. Which is a shame, because I can buy CR-2032's for dirt cheap at Harbor Freight.
Which is what I do. I still use the PED, not the PedPRO.
The only time I hit the screen is A) Hitting links in ForScore to go to a sign or coda or repeat that I'm not sure whether it is on the same page or exactly where it is, and/or 2) Sometimes we are standing all through the gig, like at a Farmers Market or somesuch. I don't like taking my eyes off the screen to find out where the pedal is. When we're seated I don't have that problem as I always know where I am relative to the pedal. _________________ ~'77 DEG Dynasty II Soprano Bugle in G
'13 Chinese POS "Hawk" branded Flugel
'59 Olds Ambassador Cornet
'51 Olds Super
'69 Olds Studio
'40 Olds Special Cornet, Military Issued
Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 427 Location: Rochester, NY
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 7:01 pm Post subject:
I use the Airturn PED.
However, full disclosure, 95% of the time I just reach out and touch the screen. If I have a situation where that's a problem (like having to play a high, difficult passage while changing the page), then I'll pull out the Airturn and use it.
I agree with the others who say locating the pedal without looking can be a problem, but after a while you get used to it.
Pedal or no pedal, I think using the iPad and forScore is the way to go. I love it. Make sure you've got the pencil too.
John _________________ Bach 43*
Bach 72*
Bach Chicago C
Yamaha YTR-761 D/Eb
Kanstul 1525
Bach 196 picc
Joined: 16 Feb 2019 Posts: 354 Location: Rochester, NY
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 3:16 pm Post subject:
+1 for the Pageflip line; I've bought two for use at church. Our guitarist uses the simplest one (Butterfly?) and I (as the drummer) use the high-end Firefly model.
The firefly has two independent 1/8" jacks for switches which I've wired to a couple of arcade push buttons mounted to my hihat stand. When drumming it's easier to get a hand free than a foot, but swiping accurately on the tablet proved to be too much.
The batteries last for ages (though the Firefly has a usb power socket) and they've been very reliable paired with Android tablets.
That said, both the guitarist and I have need for "hands-free" page turning, I can't imagine needing it as a wind player. Even the violinists in our orchestra somehow manage to turn pages.
Eric
P.S. We use "MobileSheets Pro" on android which I can also recommend. I load songs and setlists from my PC, and sync the tablets over wifi. We don't use it, but I could sync the page-turning of the two tablets so only one of us would need to hit a button. And I believe in the newest version it can syncronize two tablets (on the same stand) for two adjacent pages. _________________ Yamaha YTR6345HGS Bb
Bach "Philly" C
Bach 239 Eb/D
DEG Signature 2000 Bb/A picc
Yamaha YTR-9835 Bb/A picc
Yamaha Bobby Shew flugel
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Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2611 Location: Anacortes, WA
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 3:42 pm Post subject:
I am typing this on a Chromebook. I was about to get a tablet to put music on then read a review about using Mobilesheetspro on a Chromebook. Just saved me a bunch of money. Plus, when looking at different pedals, some people had loads of problems with them. So........with my setup, I can have two pages visible at the same time. No need to page turn.
Just putting out another idea. _________________ Richard
Conn 22B Trumpet
York Eminence Model 4028 Cornet
1903 Conn The Wonder Cornet
Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 12647 Location: Gardena, Ca
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 3:56 pm Post subject:
Richard III wrote:
I am typing this on a Chromebook. I was about to get a tablet to put music on then read a review about using Mobilesheetspro on a Chromebook. Just saved me a bunch of money. Plus, when looking at different pedals, some people had loads of problems with them. So........with my setup, I can have two pages visible at the same time. No need to page turn.
Page flip Dragonfly works perfect. I'm 100% digital for everything. Use it with iPad Pro 12.9 and Forescore. While expensive, the system is a thing of beauty. I couldn't imagine going back to paper> _________________ Bb - Schilke B6, SB4-MG Soloiste
Bb - Yamaha 8310Z II, 25th Anniversary Xeno
C - Yamaha Artist Chicago Xeno
Flugel - Getzen Custom Reserve 4895
Eb/D - Yamaha 6610
Cornet - Bach Strad 184ML
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