 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-10-29 14:36
Hi
I'm considering buying an tablet and a pedal for reading sheet music, looking for recommendations and/or more info about the different specs and how important they are (or not).
Only Android, not Apple even though it's recommended as the best option.
It will be used mainly for reading music (including in concerts) and maybe the occasional film, meaning it's not going to be used as a regular phone/computer or anything like that.
A little concerned about size vs. regular A4 paper. Is it possible to crop somehow on the tablet itself to maximize the screen size?
Looks like a minimum 13" tablet will be close to A4, maybe preferably 14" (getting a bit large). These sizes are pretty expensive for the known companies but there are some much less expensive ones... not sure how reliable they are. They are FHD rather than around 3K resolution for some Samsungs.
I play nearly only my own parts or parts written for me, so traditional classical parts are less important. I try to make sure the pages are organized so there are places to turn comfortably, but I am also used to having two or even three pages at the same time.
The main advantages and the reasons I'm considering it are no real wind, light or noise issues, and not having to re-print parts many times after fixing mistakes, making changes, etc. constantly wasting papers...
Thanks
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2026-10-29 17:15
The Samsung S series are great tablets. I bought my Tab S9 Ultra on eBay and it's been an amazing tablet. It's at 14" screen. I use it for conducting a band also, and I can see parts well. In my normal playing, it's more than enough tablet to see everything. While it's large, at 42 I really appreciate the size, even with very good vision thanks to lasik eye surgery!
One of my students is using my previous tablet, a Tab S7+. It was a great size until I needed to read scores from it. And while technically I was able to read them fine, the extra size has been very helpful!
If it helps, I've been using android tablets for music since 2011.
The Donner page turner has also been great. It's easy on and off, turns off automatically if not touched in a while, and doesn't break the bank.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2026-10-29 19:44
Attachment: tablet.pdf (204k)
clarnibass wrote:
I've attached a copy of guidance someone gave me that I followed and in turn altered to reflect changes since I received it.
> A little concerned about size vs. regular A4 paper. Is it
> possible to crop somehow on the tablet itself to maximize the
> screen size?
Using the MobileSheets software I recommend, absolutely and easily.
>
> Looks like a minimum 13" tablet will be close to A4, maybe
> preferably 14" (getting a bit large). These sizes are pretty
> expensive for the known companies but there are some much less
> expensive ones... not sure how reliable they are. They are FHD
> rather than around 3K resolution for some Samsungs.
As a clarinetist reading a line a time I recommended Amazon 10, with its 10.1" screen is more than enough. It's $73 right now on Amazon.
>
> I play nearly only my own parts or parts written for me, so
> traditional classical parts are less important. I try to make
> sure the pages are organized so there are places to turn
> comfortably, but I am also used to having two or even three
> pages at the same time.
I am reading this, perhaps incorrectly, as "but I am also used to having (to turn) two or even three pages at the same time."
If so, it's trivial in MobileSheets to establish these things called "links" that appear as translucent colored dots on the page. You touch them on the screen with a finger, (or easily configure say a left foot pedal press to be the same as touching them on the screen with a finger) and you're instantly brought to the location you set this link to take you to. I have my left foot pad set to do this, and my right one to advance the page: the later being something the software can be set to automatically do for you if what you're playing has a constant speed.
>
> The main advantages and the reasons I'm considering it are no
> real wind, light or noise issues, and not having to re-print
> parts many times after fixing mistakes, making changes, etc.
> constantly wasting papers...
>
Yep, some but by no means all the good reasons to make this move.
Post Edited (2026-10-29 19:47)
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Author: lydian
Date: 2026-10-29 21:49
Although I use a Lenovo P12, which is great, the TCL NxtPaper 14 is the best music reading tablet I've ever seen, and is very affordable. No need for fancy pedals either. Any one will work. I used just a single button one, the PT23. I wish I had gotten white instead of black though since mine is hard to see in the dark.
I second the recommendation for MobileSheets. Been using it for years in many bands with thousands and thousands of charts.
I used a 10.1 for a while, and it worked ok. But I'm much more comfortable on a 12+, especially at my age and with my poor vision. Maybe 10.1 is good enough if you're still young and have great vision.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-10-29 23:02
I don't use a tablet. I use a 13.3" Dell Latitude 7390 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop instead of a tablet.
Pros:
1) I can use it for everything because it runs Windows.
2) I use a digital pen to mark up my music. This is better than the rubber tip 'stylus' that often comes with inexpensive tablets (and yes I tried a couple, but immediately sent them back).
Cons:
1) Even with a new battery, it won't have the same battery life as a tablet (often 8+ hours). I can confidently expect 3-4 hours. I also have a power bank that can recharge the battery (keep it charged) 2.5 times. This is helpful for longer rehearsals and traveling.
2) Weight. It's about 3 lbs and can take its toll on you and on your music stand. I bought a Manhasset Shaft Lock for my Voyager stand to help ensure that I can keep it at the height I prefer. It does stay in place, but if I swivel the stand, it tends to sink. With the shaft lock, it's far more secure and stable.
I use an inexpensive bluetooth two-pedal unit to turn pages back and forth.
I also use MobileSheets. There were times when the pedal would advance the pages too quickly. This was what I did:
Pedal settings > Pedal Actions
- Debounce: half-second
- Scroll speed: Fast (not immediate)
- Fixed Duration: 1 seconds
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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