# NoteBrainer — Learn to sight read music

> Interactive app for learning to sight-read sheet music with configurable exercises. (iPhone/iPad app by James Buchanan21733609631.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebrainer/id310695461 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Buchanan21733609631](https://appshunter.io/developer/833812039)
- Category: Education, Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 840 App Store ratings · 118 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 56 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-04-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebrainer/id310695461/reviews.md

## What is NoteBrainer?

Learn to sight read sheet music with this simple note training app. Great for kids and adults trying to learn how to read sheet music by sight. Just play for a minute or two each day and be amazed by how much improved your site reading becomes.

The app is super simple: see how many notes you can correctly identify within the time limit. 
Flash card training exercises are completely configurable for ability covering all the main key signatures. Sound effects from a choice of instruments help train your ear as well as eye.

Music teacher? The app is an excellent companion for your students. The play history allows you to review how well and how often your students are practicing. Set them a challenge to beat their high score before the next lesson!

NoteBrainer has the following great features:

* Full key signature coverage - choose how many to train with
* Treble and bass clef - play both or either depending on your instrument
* Quality instrument sounds - choose from piano, guitar, violin, viola, cello, harp, recorder, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, sax, organ or even bagpipes!
* Assistant modes to help learn notes
* Key signature highlighting - indicates which keys in the key signature are valid to help gain signature familiarity
* English and romantic solfège - C, D, E... or Do, Re, Mi... you choose!
* Sound only mode - see how many notes you can identify by sound only
* Play history - view all your previous exercises, try to beat your high score
* External compatible midi keyboard support
* Universal - works great on both your iPhone or iPad
* Free - So why not send me some great feedback and improvement suggestions

If you have any feedback, suggestions or improvements you would like to see in the app please do not hesitate to contact me via the web site or Facebook. I am open to all and any ideas.

## Key features

- Configurable flashcard exercises
- Treble and bass clef support
- Multiple instrument sound options
- Assistant learning modes
- Key signature highlighting
- Play history and high score tracking
- MIDI keyboard support

## What do users think of NoteBrainer?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Helps with sight reading and note recognition
- 💡 Useful for beginners and those wanting to improve music reading skills
- 🚀 Effective and efficient for learning notes
- 🚀 Improves speed of note reading
- 👍 Simple and straightforward interface
- 👍 Good for practicing on the go

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues on some devices
- 🔒 Lacks customization options
- 💡 Keyboard range is limited, doesn't cover full octave range
- 🔒 Doesn't differentiate between notes in different octaves
- 🔒 Doesn't provide rhythm training

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes when getting a note wrong
- Back button not working on some screens
- Sound not working for some users
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Expand keyboard range to cover full octave
- Add option to require button press to continue after wrong answer
- Include rhythm training exercises
- Add more customization options
- Improve stability and reduce crashes

## Recent user reviews (10 of 118)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebrainer/id310695461/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great app

*2026-05-19, version 3.3*

It is simple to use this.  Hear or see the note, select the answer on a keyboard, then go to the next one.  There’s plenty of customization.

### 5/5 — Nice

*2025-11-06, version 3.3*

It's good but when I connect my midi controller with network to my phone this app doesn't make any sound or melody either 

And when I reinstall it again it's still not working

### 5/5 — Yes yes so grateful

*2025-07-28, version 3.3*

This all works like a charm and is helping me master piano so much quicker!!! Thank you for making it!!

### 5/5 — Thank you!

*2025-05-04, version 3.3*

Thank you for this app! The only way kids could nail down notes!

### 5/5 — Easy and fun solution

*2025-02-27, version 3.3*

I REALLY didnt want to learn to read music. It came a point in my lessons where it wasnt negotiable. I really have always hated to memorize for stuff. This is fun and super effective.

### 5/5 — 5 stars

*2025-01-14, version 3.3*

Great for practicing notes

### 5/5 — Mmmmm

*2024-10-24, version 3.3*

Yummy I love eating dogs and cats, because im asian and I use this app.

### 3/5 — It’s cool

*2024-04-24, version 3.3*

I wish there was more customization but overall good app

### 5/5 — The one to get

*2024-02-25, version 3.3*

Clean, uncluttered and has all the features that paid versions have. The play by ear feature is also great for those who are want to improve their recognition of notes instead of just staff reading.

No need to put up with feature crippled apps or be bugged by invasive ads, this is the one to get. Great use of train rides home!

### 5/5 — Very versatile

*2023-12-11, version 3.3*

Best app I have found to help me learn my notes.

## Frequently asked questions about NoteBrainer

### What does NoteBrainer do?

NoteBrainer is a simple app designed to help users learn to sight-read sheet music. It provides interactive exercises where you identify notes within a time limit, helping to improve your reading speed and accuracy.

### What are the key features of NoteBrainer?

Key features include configurable flashcard exercises covering full key signatures, support for treble and bass clefs, a variety of instrument sounds for ear training, assistant modes, key signature highlighting, and play history to track progress.

### Is NoteBrainer free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to download and use. The developers encourage users to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements.

### What devices is NoteBrainer compatible with?

NoteBrainer is a universal app, meaning it works great on both your iPhone and iPad, offering a seamless experience across Apple devices.

### Who would benefit from using NoteBrainer?

This app is ideal for anyone wanting to learn to read sheet music, from beginners to adults. Music teachers can also use it as a companion tool for their students to track practice habits and set challenges.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3 — 2018-07-01

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

Support for external midi keyboard. Fixed crashing bug at game start.

### 3.2 — 2017-09-25

iOS11 and iPhone X compatibility

### 3.1 — 2017-08-07

Fixes an issue where the bass clef key signatures are rendered incorrectly. Thanks Nick for the bug report!

### 3.0 — 2017-02-09

After 7 years it was time to rebuild. This version is entirely new built from scratch and now universal so it works on your iPad too!

### 2.0 — 2010-10-10

This minor update addresses the following in the free version of NoteBrainer:

- Remastered audio samples (now higher quality and louder)
- Removed vibrate on wrong answer (by popular demand)
- Fixed the incorrect bottom note (gold star to those that spotted that)
- Tested on the wonderful iOS4

A Pro version of NoteBrainer is also available on the app store which includes a number of user requested features.

## Apps similar to NoteBrainer

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Learn Music Notes Piano](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-music-notes-piano/id1205662433) | 4.4 (5,405) | Free | Education |
| [Notevision - Sight Reading](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notevision-sight-reading/id874386416) | 4.8 (3,187) | Free | Education |
| [Notes Teacher](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-teacher/id1126546872) | 4.8 (10,039) | Free | Education |
| [Piano Marvel - Lessons & Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-marvel-lessons-and-music/id1016751878) | 4.7 (5,241) | Free | Education |
| [MyEarTraining - Ear Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myeartraining-ear-trainer/id885622580) | 4.8 (252) | Free | Education |
| [Paglano - read notes quickly](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paglano-read-notes-quickly/id1516800194) | 4.5 (4) | Free | Education |

## More apps by James Buchanan21733609631

- [Croydon Disc Golf Club](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/croydon-disc-golf-club/id670727167)

All apps by James Buchanan21733609631: https://appshunter.io/developer/833812039

## Related topics

[sheet music teacher](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sheet-music-teacher) · [music note reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/music-note-reader) · [music reading trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/music-reading-trainer)

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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 2026-09-03.*