# FretBud - Chord & Scales AUv3 — Learn, Play, Customize

> Fretboard visualization tool for guitar, bass, and ukulele with custom tunings. (iPhone/iPad app by Cem Olcay.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretbud-chord-and-scales-auv3/id1234224249 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853)
- Category: Music, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-05-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretbud-chord-and-scales-auv3/id1234224249/reviews.md

## What is FretBud?

FretBud is a fretboard reference and MIDI tool for guitarists, bassists, and stringed instrument players of all levels.

See any scale or chord visualized across the full neck, in any key and any tuning — instantly. Whether you're learning your first pentatonic
box or exploring modes across the entire fretboard, FretBud makes it visual, interactive, and musical.

REFERENCE
Browse dozens of scales — Major, Minor, Pentatonic, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Harmonic Minor, and more — across any root note. Switch to
Chord mode to see triad, 7th, 9th, and extended shapes laid out across the neck. Change the key or mode in one tap and the neck updates
instantly.

Customize what you see on every note dot: note name, pitch with octave, scale degree, interval, or finger number. Color notes by degree,
emphasize the root, or keep it monochrome. Every combination teaches you something different.

TUNINGS
Choose from 80+ built-in tunings — Standard, Drop D, Eb, Open G, Open D, Bass, Ukulele, and many more — or build your own. 
The custom tuning builder lets you set any string count and any open-string pitch, so you can map out a baritone, a 7-string, a lap steel, or anything else. 
The neck redraws the moment you switch, so you see exactly how your scale or chord lays out before you pick up the instrument.

PLAYABLE SURFACE
Tap any note on the neck to hear it. FretBud includes a built-in sampler so you can play and listen to scales and chord tones directly —
perfect for ear training alongside the visual reference.

MIDI
FretBud outputs MIDI over a virtual port, so tapped notes can drive any Core MIDI-compatible app on your device. Route it into a synth, a
looper, or a DAW session to play your fretboard like a touch instrument.

AUv3 PLUGIN
Load FretBud as an AUv3 MIDI plugin directly inside Logic Pro, AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, and other compatible hosts. The full fretboard reference lives
inside your DAW session — incoming MIDI from the host highlights notes on the neck in real time, so you always know where you are tonally
while you record.

APPLE WATCH
The FretBud Apple Watch companion gives you quick access to key, scale, chord, and tuning controls right on your wrist. Change what's
displayed on your iPhone without putting down the guitar.

CUSTOMIZE
Choose from multiple color themes to match your style. Adjust the visible fret range, toggle fret numbers and string names, and flip the neck
for left-handed playing.

## Key features

- Scale and chord visualization
- Customizable tunings
- Adjustable fretboard settings
- Portrait and landscape modes
- Support for 7-string guitar and 8-string bass
- Open-source components

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretbud-chord-and-scales-auv3/id1234224249/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Intuitive, simple and essential

*2026-08-12*

This is the only App of its kind for iOS.. a professional truly free and fast tool for all musicians.  One of the few truly essentials to grab if you play an instrument and have an iPhone.  Thank you endlessly for this.  Bless you.

### 1/5 — Update - why?

*2026-08-05*

This app was perfect. What have you done? Why did you remove the clean layout and visible circle of fifths? At least make it optional.

**Developer response:** There are lots of different themes are available.

### 5/5 — Exactly what i needed

*2026-07-29*

Perfect Fret learning app with all possibilities to configure it to your needs.

Thank you for this gem of a subscription free app <3

### 5/5 — Sine Waves

*2026-07-02*

To my guitarist comrades I recommend using this to play with sine waves and signal chains it’s great fun and often sounds great.

### 5/5 — Love it

*2026-06-29*

Used this app for years. Love the redesign. Just wish they didn’t get rid of the circle of fifths visual bc I used that.

### 3/5 — No DADGAD

*2026-06-17*

Mentions dadgad in the description but not available to select in tunings 🙁

**Developer response:** Both dadgad and dagdad available, you can also create your own creepy weird tunings too yuck 🤢 “lets give one star this free awswome app”

### 5/5 — Looks better than ever

*2026-06-16*

The new UI looks and feels incredible! At its most basic, it's an incredibly inspirational tool. But as with all of this dev's apps, this one provides a very useful and new approach to music making, especially benefiting guitarists trying to think outside the box.

### 3/5 — No sharps!

*2026-04-30*

I was very surprised to find only flats are used. I e searched for a setting, tried various scales and keys but they all use flats rather than sharps.
Why oh why?
It’s a shame as the app has a lovely clean interface just marred by this.

**Developer response:** The new version fixes this issue!

### 5/5 — Quick, Easy, Clear

*2025-08-07*

Great quick app!  Pick your root & scale/mode, and it shows the fretboard map, chords (major/minor/diminished).   You can even customize the tuning of each string so you get a fretboard map for open tunings!!  -VERY- handy.    I would really love to see the option to colour code the Root note (and possibly other intervals) on the fret map

### 5/5 — Your Guitar Accompaniment

*2025-08-05*

This is great to accompany you in your journey to master the guitar fretboard. Compliant for Bass and Ikulele and other stringed monsters. Just select your tuning and wahlah all will be revealed 😁

## Frequently asked questions about FretBud

### What instruments does FretBud support?

FretBud supports visualization for guitar, bass, and ukulele fretboards. It can also accommodate custom tunings for instruments like 7-string guitars and 8-string basses.

### Can I create my own tunings in FretBud?

Yes, FretBud allows you to create custom tunings for your instruments. This includes the ability to set up tunings for extended range instruments like 7-string guitars and 8-string basses.

### How does FretBud display the fretboard?

FretBud displays a vertical fretboard in portrait mode and a horizontal fretboard in landscape mode. You can also customize the fret count, starting fret, and display of fret numbers and string names.

### Does FretBud have ads?

No, FretBud is completely ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What scales and chords are available in FretBud?

FretBud offers a comprehensive library of scales, including Major, Minor, Pentatonic, Blues, and many more. It also supports a wide variety of chord types, from basic major and minor to complex extensions like 7th and 9th chords.

### Is FretBud available on other platforms?

FretBud's core components, MusicTheory, CircleOfFifths, and Fretboard, are open source and available on GitHub. The app itself is listed for Apple TV, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

### How often is FretBud updated?

The provided data indicates FretBud was last updated on May 14, 2017, with version 1.0. There have been no updates since then according to the available information.

### What is the age rating for FretBud?

FretBud has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including younger learners.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 2.2 — 2026-06-17

FretBud has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.
- Fully redesigned interface, rebuilt in SwiftUI
- New color themes to match your style
- AUv3 plugin — load FretBud directly inside AUM, Cubasis, and other DAWs
- Apple Watch companion for wrist-level key, scale, and tuning control
- Neck and string flipping
- Expanded scale and chord library
- MIDI output via virtual port
- Built-in sampler — tap the neck to hear notes
- Label modes: note name, pitch, degree, interval, or finger number
- Color modes: by degree, root emphasis, or mono

If you've used FretBud before — welcome back. It's a whole new app.

### 2.1 — 2026-06-16

FretBud has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.
- Fully redesigned interface, rebuilt in SwiftUI
- New color themes to match your style
- AUv3 plugin — load FretBud directly inside GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other DAWs
- Apple Watch companion for wrist-level key, scale, and tuning control
- Left-handed neck flip
- Expanded scale and chord library
- MIDI output via virtual port
- Built-in sampler — tap the neck to hear notes
- Label modes: note name, pitch, degree, interval, or finger number
- Color modes: by degree, root emphasis, or mono
- Size modes: fit, fill or scrolling
- Custom tuning creation

If you've used FretBud before — welcome back. It's a whole new app.

### 2.0 — 2026-06-15

FretBud has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.
- Fully redesigned interface, rebuilt in SwiftUI
- New color themes to match your style
- AUv3 plugin — load FretBud directly inside GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other DAWs
- Apple Watch companion for wrist-level key, scale, and tuning control
- Left-handed neck flip
- Expanded scale and chord library
- MIDI output via virtual port
- Built-in sampler — tap the neck to hear notes
- Label modes: note name, pitch, degree, interval, or finger number
- Color modes: by degree, root emphasis, or mono

If you've used FretBud before — welcome back. It's a whole new app.

### 1.0 — 2017-05-14

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

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## More apps by Cem Olcay

- [ScaleBud - AUv3 MIDI Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1409125865)
- [StepBud - AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408)
- [RhythmBud - AUv3 MIDI FX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891)
- [ArpBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpbud-2-auv3-midi-arpeggiator/id1500403326)
- [ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1526221230)

All apps by Cem Olcay: https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853

## Related topics

[cem olcay](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cem-olcay)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*