# Play by Ear — Instrumental Ear Trainer

> Instrumental Ear Trainer (iPhone/iPad app by David Rowthorn.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-by-ear/id6759010556 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [David Rowthorn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1876358361)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 57 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-03-10
- Data updated: 2026-06-28
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-by-ear/id6759010556/reviews.md

## What is Play by Ear?

Play by Ear trains you to play back what you hear immediately. While many tools focus on naming intervals in an exam-like format, this app emphasises playing phrases in time with a metronome.

The app uses a call and response loop to bridge the gap between your ears and your instrument.

1. Set the length and complexity of the material, from simple intervals to melodic phrases with chromatic passing notes.
2. Start the metronome.
4. Listen to a phrase and play it back in rhythm.

There is no automated scoring to detect when you play correctly. If you can't tell whether you've played a phrase correctly, the material is likely too difficult.

Success comes from slow, consistent practise at a manageable level. By relying on your own ears to judge your accuracy, you develop a more intuitive and reliable musical ear.

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |



## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.3 — 2026-03-27

More reliable background audio handling
Cleaner diminished scale note spellings
Presets no longer override transposition
Long scale names centred properly

### 1.2.1 — 2026-03-25

Fixed blues scales to show blue notes

### 1.2.0 — 2026-03-24

Fixed scale spellings

### 1.1.4 — 2026-03-16

• Redesigned interface to be more sleek
• Added scale notation on pause screen
• Ability to go back and forwards
• Better phrase generation

### 1.1.3 — 2026-03-13

• Improved phrase generation
• Added blues and pentatonic scales

## Related topics

[play by ear](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/play-by-ear)

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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 2026-06-28.*