# Mandolin Scale Essentials — Scales and backing tracks

> Mandolin scale visualization and practice tool with backing tracks. (iPhone/iPad app by Tobias Nasterlack.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mandolin-scale-essentials/id1512566260 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tobias Nasterlack](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509212818)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.4 · 52 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-05-14
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mandolin-scale-essentials/id1512566260/reviews.md

## What is Mandolin Scale Essentials?

* Visualize 15 essential scales in any key, on a virtual mandolin fretboard or as tabs
* Practice with built-in instrumental and  percussion backing tracks or a metronome
* Easily switch between full and pentatonic views in major and minor scales
* Select a tuning from:
    standard: GDAE
    high bass: ADAE
    cross tuning: AEAE
    open D: DDAD
    Cajun: FCGD
    gee-DAD: GDAD
    open G: GDGB
    sawmill: GDGD
    calico: AEAC#
    mandola: CGDA
* Includes light and dark mode appearances

## Key features

- Visualize 15 essential scales
- Interactive fretboard and tablature
- Built-in backing tracks
- Metronome function
- Multiple tuning options
- Light and dark mode

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mandolin-scale-essentials/id1512566260/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Awesome!

*2022-01-21, version 1.5*

Finally a mando app that is worth keeping! 👍👍

## Frequently asked questions about Mandolin Scale Essentials

### What scales does Mandolin Scale Essentials show?

Mandolin Scale Essentials visualizes 15 essential scales, including major and minor pentatonic scales, on a virtual mandolin fretboard or as tablature.

### Can I practice with Mandolin Scale Essentials?

Yes, you can practice with built-in instrumental and percussion backing tracks, or use the integrated metronome for timing.

### What tunings does Mandolin Scale Essentials support?

Mandolin Scale Essentials supports a variety of tunings, including standard GDAE, high bass ADAE, cross tuning AEAE, open D DDAD, Cajun FCGD, gee-DAD GDAD, open G GDGB, sawmill GDGD, calico AEAC#, and mandola CGDA.

### Is Mandolin Scale Essentials available on Android?

Based on the provided data, Mandolin Scale Essentials is supported on iPhone and iPad, but Android compatibility is not specified.

### How often is Mandolin Scale Essentials updated?

The latest version, 1.5, was released on December 31, 2020. The update frequency is not explicitly stated, but the last update was over a year ago.

### What is the age rating for Mandolin Scale Essentials?

Mandolin Scale Essentials has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and players.

### Does Mandolin Scale Essentials have ads?

The provided data does not specify if Mandolin Scale Essentials contains advertisements. The 'hasAds' field is null.

### What is the user sentiment for Mandolin Scale Essentials?

Mandolin Scale Essentials has a high user rating of 4.7 stars from 3 ratings, indicating positive user sentiment.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.5 — 2020-12-31

+ Added tabs for scales
+ Added gesture controls
+ Improved user interface
+ Improved sound playback

### 1.4 — 2020-07-01

+ New backing tracks for melodic minor, phrygian, lydian, and mixolydian
+ Added new percussion-only tracks for all keys and modes
+ Added a metronome
+ Added a new tuning: mandola (CGDA)
+ UI improvements
+ Bugfixes

### 1.3 — 2020-05-30

+ Display scales in musical notation
+ Additional scale: Spanish Gypsy
+ Additional backing tracks for Spanish Gypsy, diminished, and whole tone scales
+ Additional generic backing track for all remaining scales

### 1.0 — 2020-05-15

No release notes.

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## More apps by Tobias Nasterlack

- [Uke Scale Essentials](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uke-scale-essentials/id1509212819)
- [Piano Scale Essentials](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-scale-essentials/id1519734824)
- [Guitar Scales Essentials](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-scales-essentials/id1523148119)

All apps by Tobias Nasterlack: https://appshunter.io/developer/1509212818

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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 2026-06-10.*