10 Apps Every Musician Should Have on Their Phone

Outlandish Music
Oct 8, 2024
4 min read

In today’s digital world, being a musician isn’t just about mastering your instrument and hitting the studio. Your smartphone is now one of the most important tools in your kit! Whether you’re songwriting on the go, tuning up before a gig, or promoting your latest release, there are apps out there designed to make your life as a musician easier and more creative.

To save you time, we’ve rounded up the top 10 apps every musician should have. Let’s dive into the must-haves that will transform your phone into a mobile music studio, gig manager, and more. Plus, there’s a little something for everyone, from songwriters to DJs!

top 10 apps every musician should have

1. Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs

If you’ve ever been caught off-guard at a jam session or open mic night, you’ll know how clutch it is to have chord sheets and tabs at your fingertips. Ultimate Guitar is your go-to app for quick access to chords, tabs, and lyrics for just about every song you can think of. With over a million songs in the library, you’ll never be left scrambling for a setlist again.

Why It’s Essential: Whether you’re learning a new song or improvising on stage, it’s a lifesaver for guitarists and bassists. Ultimate Guitar

2. BandLab

Need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) on the go? BandLab is a free music creation app that lets you record, edit, and mix multi-track projects straight from your phone. Whether you’re adding vocals, instruments, or just sketching out ideas for a song, BandLab has all the tools you need.

Why It’s Essential: It’s perfect for songwriting on the move and recording demos, plus it’s got social features to share your music with collaborators.

Download it here: BandLab

3. ForScore

Calling all classical musicians! ForScore is the ultimate sheet music organiser. It lets you store, annotate, and manage all your sheet music digitally, so you can ditch the heavy binders. Plus, with a built-in metronome and tuner, it’s an all-in-one app for musicians who read and perform from sheet music.

Why It’s Essential: Carry your entire sheet music library in your pocket and easily mark changes, tempos, and notes directly on the scores.

Download it here: ForScore

4. Anytune

Ever tried learning a tricky solo or riff that’s just too fast to follow? With Anytune, you can slow down or speed up tracks without affecting the pitch, making it easier to practise along. It’s an amazing tool for learning complex sections of songs or nailing your covers.

Why It’s Essential: It’s the perfect app for improving your skills by breaking down tricky pieces of music at your own pace.

Download it here: Anytune

5. Soundbrenner Metronome

Practising with a metronome doesn’t have to be boring. The Soundbrenner Metronome offers a slick, customisable metronome with tap tempo, time signatures, and subdivisions to keep your playing tight. You can even sync it with the Soundbrenner Pulse, a wearable metronome that vibrates to the beat!

Why It’s Essential: Stay on time during practice or gigs with a metronome that’s easy to use and highly customisable.

Download it here: Soundbrenner Metronome

6. Spire

Spire is like having a recording studio in your pocket. It allows you to record professional-quality audio on the go with no external gear needed. Perfect for capturing your ideas, rehearsals, or even live performances, it has built-in mixing tools and can sync to your desktop for further editing.

Why It’s Essential: No need to wait for studio time—you can record and mix whenever inspiration strikes.

Download it here: Spire

7. Songkick

If you’re serious about getting out there and supporting live music, Songkick helps you keep track of all your favourite artists and upcoming gigs in your area. It’s also a great way to keep an eye on local venues where you might want to book yourself in for a show!

Why It’s Essential: Stay connected with the live music scene and find out where and when your favourite bands are playing.

Download it here: Songkick

8. Setlist Helper

Juggling multiple gigs and different setlists can be tricky, but Setlist Helper has got your back. You can create, manage, and organise your setlists with ease, add song notes, and even access lyrics during performances. It’s a brilliant way to stay organised and ensure smooth transitions between songs.

Why It’s Essential: Stay in control of your performances with custom setlists and notes, especially if you’re playing multiple gigs.

Download it here: Setlist Helper

9. TIDAL

For those who care about sound quality, TIDAL offers lossless streaming with crystal-clear audio, making it a dream for audiophiles and music lovers. Whether you’re looking to find inspiration, enjoy curated playlists, or discover new music, TIDAL’s sound quality is a step above the rest.

Why It’s Essential: High-quality sound streaming for when you need inspiration or simply want to enjoy music the way it’s meant to be heard.

Download it here: TIDAL

10. Moises

Ever wanted to isolate vocals, bass, or drums from a track to practise along with? Moises allows you to separate and remix tracks in real time. It’s an absolute game-changer for musicians looking to practise specific parts of a song or experiment with new arrangements.

Why It’s Essential: Perfect for musicians looking to improve their skills by practising along with isolated tracks, or even remixing songs on the fly.

Download it here: Moises

Final Thoughts: Your Phone, Your New Bandmate

Gone are the days when musicians needed to rely on bulky equipment and endless paper sheets. Today, your smartphone can act as your personal recording studio, sheet music organiser, gig planner, and even a source of musical inspiration.

With these top 10 apps, you’ll be fully equipped to tackle rehearsals, gigs, songwriting sessions, and more. So, whether you’re jamming in your room, on tour, or recording your next hit, these apps will make sure you’ve got everything you need to succeed as a musician!

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