# PocketPipes — For bagpipe training > Bagpipe tune player and practice tool with realistic sound and music management. (iPhone/iPad app by Claude Le Dû.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketpipes/id629666904 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Claude Le Dû](https://appshunter.io/developer/629666907) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: $5.99 - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 31 MB - Languages: American English, French (France) - Released: 2013-04-07 - Data updated: 2026-09-03 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketpipes/id629666904/reviews.md ## What is PocketPipes? PocketPipes is an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/Mac player for bagpipe tunes  (abc and bww files) with lot of options. Polyphony and drones produce a very realistic bagpipe sound. A vertical bar shows the note being played on the sheet music. PocketPipes is your partner for practicing, with your own tunes. Statistics about recent playbacks help you to drive your training sessions. PLAYBACK OPTIONS - bagpipe chanter sound or practice chanter sound - polyphonic capacity (one file for each voice: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th). Select the first one to play in a polyphonic way. - defining a section of the tune for playback (to focus on few measures when training, with long press on the sheet music). The area outside the section is grayed. - loop mode - playing with or without drones - C natural, or C natural + F natural - synchronized metronome with the current play - optional 5-7-9 attack before each play - tempo tuning for the current tune TUNES MANAGEMENT - the app proposes to install demo files automatically when the tunes list is empty (it includes few polyphonic sets) - importing tunes from a desktop with iTunes or Finder, a Dropbox(TM) account, or email attachements, or with Files App - file sharing : you can send tunes or sheet music as email attachments - file uploading to the user's iCloud Drive (wav soundtrack and pdf sheet music) - sheet music printing - categorization (tagging) of the tunes allows to work on subsets within the personal tunes (i.e. Marches, Slow airs, To learn, Next performance ....). See guide on website. More flexible than folder hierarchy. When categorized, a tune appears in blue color. - searching by keys, crossed with categories - statistics on recent playbacks, crossed with categories - file edition in textual mode with revert capability to the previous file - backup/restore of the data to/from iCloud, giving a way to align different devices with the same data USER INTERFACE - contextual menu with a long press on the tune title or the sheet music - two pop-up controllers to handle playback options on the sheet music - categories editor - full screen and zooming on sheet music (important for iPhones) - ability to colorize some parts of the tunes (%%bgcolor for ABC files) - support of clear/dark mode - built-in help book to learn how to use the app and including useful links Nota: beat setting and section marks are made persistent at file level. Available ressources on the support web site: Packs of tunes, ABC tutorial, FAQ ... See FAQ for specific questions. ## Key features - Realistic bagpipe sound with polyphony and drones - Section playback and loop mode for focused practice - Import tunes via iTunes, Dropbox, email, or Files App - Categorization and search for tune management - Playback statistics for training progress - Sheet music printing and iCloud Drive upload - Dark/light mode support ## Recent user reviews (9 of 9) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketpipes/id629666904/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2026-04-03* Don’t waste your money like i did, uploaded files to my dropbox, but not there. Instructions don’t really explain how the app works. Total waste **Developer response:** Hi, Normally the first time you launch PocketPipes and connect to your Dropbox account, the app creates an "Applications" folder. Inside, it also creates a "PocketPipes" folder. From now you have to consider putting your abc or bww files in this PocketPipes folder following this rule: You have to create a one level list of folders for instance scottish tunes, march, slow airs ... as you want, and you install your tunes (abc or bww) inside these folders with a navigator. Then you can access to your files with PocketPipes and install them from DropBox. You can also instal files with the Files App on iOS or with Drag and Drop on Mac OS. The support web site explains this. I admit that DropBox, since the creation of iCloud is not the best solution. I am working on a more simple release that only rely on iCloud. The use of Dropbox in PocketPipes started before the creation of iCloud, years ago. I hope that all the other features of the app are not total waste .... Regards ### 5/5 — One of the Most Stable Apps for Playing Bagpipe Sheet Music *2024-06-19* Of all the apps that I have for playing BWW files, this is the most stable. There's a bit of a learning curve, because it's not at all obvious how to get back to the list of tunes. And many of the labels in the app are in French, and there's no option to change the interface language to English. The app lacks a GUI interface for editing the tunes, but does have the option of editing the code. One of the most important things is that the app delveloper actively maintains the app. Thanks! Edit: I should have been more clear in my review. It was only the Preferences panel for the app that was in French. The rest was in English. I followed your instructions, and the System Settings already say that the language for Pocket Pipes is set to System Default (English). I tried changing it to French, and it had me relaunch the app. Now the App is completely in French. And now when I go to the System Settings, there is no option to go back to English. It now says that it is already in English, and that option is grayed out. But it is not in English; it is in French. Further edit: Thanks! That fixed the app language itself, but as you noted, that still doesn't fix the app preference language. Hopefully, you find a solution for that. Meanwhile, I've boosted my rating to 5 stars, because I appreciate how helpful and responsive you are. **Developer response:** Hi, PocketPipes (normally ...) is also in English language. On MacOS, in the system settings => Language and Region, you can scroll down to the last item "Applications". Here, you can Add PocketPipes with a default language (English or French), English in your case. Additional steps: My computer is in English, and I experienced the same behavior. Once in French language, the button to go back to English for the app is grayed (Add button, in the general settings/Language & Region/Applications:Pocketpipes. This seems to be a problem with the User Interface (?) There seemed no way to go back to English. I tried to delete the app, reinstall it .. => it failed. Hopefully I found something that appears as an easy workaround. There are five short steps: 1) In the General Settings/Language and Region add French(France) in the preferred languages 2) Put it ahead before English. And DO NOT restart the computer. So that your computer remains in English language! 3) Now, in Applications you choose "+", select Pocketpipes, select English language and this time, the "Add" button IS NOT GRAYED. So choose Add. 4) Restart now PocketPipes as proposed ... in English Language! 5) In the preferred languages you can now remove French ("-") I have not found yet to have the "Pocketpipes settings" panel in English language though it is, on iPhones/iPads Hope it helps Regards ### 4/5 — One of the Most Stable Apps for Playing Bagpipe Sheet Music *2024-06-17* Of all the apps that I have for playing BWW files, this is the most stable. There's a bit of a learning curve, because it's not at all obvious how to get back to the list of tunes. And many of the labels in the app are in French, and there's no option to change the interface language to English. The app lacks a GUI interface for editing the tunes, but does have the option of editing the code. One of the most important things is that the app delveloper actively maintains the app. Thanks! Edit: I should have been more clear in my review. It was only the Preferences panel for the app that was in French. The rest was in English. I followed your instructions, and the System Settings already say that the language for Pocket Pipes is set to System Default (English). I tried changing it to French, and it had me relaunch the app. Now the App is completely in French. And now when I go to the System Settings, there is no option to go back to English. It now says that it is already in English, and that option is grayed out. But it is not in English; it is in French. **Developer response:** Hi, PocketPipes (normally ...) is also in English language. On MacOS, in the system settings => Language and Region, you can scroll down to the last item "Applications". Here, you can Add PocketPipes with a default language (English or French), English in your case. Additional steps: My computer is in English, and I experienced the same behavior. Once in French language, the button to go back to English for the app is grayed (Add button, in the general settings/Language & Region/Applications:Pocketpipes. This seems to be a problem with the User Interface (?) There seemed no way to go back to English. I tried to delete the app, reinstall it .. => it failed. Hopefully I found something that appears as an easy workaround. There are five short steps: 1) In the General Settings/Language and Region add French(France) in the preferred languages 2) Put it ahead before English. A DO NOT restart the computer. So that your computer remains in English language! 3) Now, in Applications you choose "+", select Pocketpipes, select English language and this time, the "Add" button IS NOT GRAYED. So choose Add. 4) Restart now PocketPipes as proposed ... in English Language! 5) In the preferred languages you can now remove French ("-") I have not found yet to have the "Pocketpipes settings" panel in English language though it is, on iPhones/iPads Hope it helps Regards ### 4/5 — One of the Most Stable Apps for Playing Bagpipe Sheet Music *2024-01-26* Of all the apps that I have for playing BWW files, this is the most stable. There's a bit of a learning curve, because it's not at all obvious how to get back to the list of tunes. And many of the labels in the app are in French, and there's no option to change the interface language to English. The app lacks a GUI interface for editing the tunes, but does have the option of editing the code. One of the most important things is that the app delveloper actively maintains the app. Thanks! **Developer response:** Hi, PocketPipes (normally ...) is also in English language. On MacOS, in the system settings => Language and Region, you can scroll down to the last item "Applications". Here, you can Add PocketPipes with a default language (English or French), English in your case. Hope it helps Regards ### 5/5 — PocketPipes *2023-12-04* Quite brilliant for practice. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Perfect *2017-09-02* Just awesome! ### 2/5 — Very complicated *2017-09-01* How do you upload the sheet music to practice? Upload your songs? I can't get Dropbox to connect eithe! **Developer response:** The upload function is part of Share fonctions. You can only upload .wav or .pdf to your Dropbox account, under /Apps/PocketsPipes folder. You need to link before, with your ID-Passwd for Dropbox (Link button, top right) Another solution is to send the sheet music to yourself by e-mail, also in the Share functions. With the V8.0 you just have to make a long press on the tune title, and a menu appears that proposes quick actions, including "Share". On the Web site you have also guides. ### 5/5 — Best IPAD App *2014-01-04* It was so great to receive this App because now I don't have to carry a book of tunes to practice. Claude gives greta detailed instructions and if you get stuck he answers emails within a day or two with the answer. If your looking for a tune he will try to find it in the format for the app. Thanks Claude. ### 4/5 — I have been waiting a long time! *2013-08-20* I have been waiting a long time for an iPod/ipad app that would have some of the functionality of Bagpipe Music Writer or Celtic Pipes, and now it is here. I find that playing with someone is one of the best says to perfect your tunes, and with this app I can use sound isolating headphones, load a tune in .abc or .pdf and then just play it, boom--perfectly played according to the sheet music. Perfect as a virtual practice partner anywhere I want. For US$3.99, I am not going to complain about "missing" features. This app is a steal for the price. Still, the developer has requested suggestions on his website, and here are my suggestions: (1) A metronome that will automatically sync with the music. That would be very helpful. The developer website says that there is an unsynced metronome function, but I cannot find it. (2) A way to have a lead in on the start of the playing of the music. You press the play button and it starts playing. If there was some way to throw in a delay, or better yet, a 2 beat e, that would be ideal. As it is, I have to place the iPod in a convenient location, get the pipes up, half inflated, and then press start, but I still can't get going for at least three or so notes. If it had that function, I would rate it five stars. This is a great app. Bravo! ## Frequently asked questions about PocketPipes ### What devices is PocketPipes compatible with? PocketPipes is compatible with Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It was last updated on December 19, 2023, with version 13.0. ### How can I import my bagpipe tunes into PocketPipes? You can import tunes into PocketPipes using iTunes/Finder, a Dropbox account, email attachments, or the Files App. The app also offers demo files upon initial installation. ### Does PocketPipes offer practice tools for learning bagpipe music? Yes, PocketPipes includes features like defining specific sections for playback, loop mode, and a synchronized metronome to aid in practice. It also provides playback statistics to track your progress. ### Can I customize the bagpipe sound in PocketPipes? PocketPipes offers a realistic bagpipe sound with options for chanter or practice chanter sound, polyphony, and drones. You can also choose between C natural or C natural + F natural. ### How does PocketPipes help organize my music library? PocketPipes allows you to categorize your tunes using tags, which is more flexible than traditional folders. You can also search for tunes by keys and categories, and view playback statistics per category. ### Is PocketPipes suitable for beginners? PocketPipes is designed for bagpipe training and includes a built-in help book to guide users. Its practice features and realistic sound can benefit learners of all levels. ### What is the price of PocketPipes? PocketPipes is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase of $5.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements. ### Does PocketPipes have ads? No, PocketPipes is ad-free. As a paid application, it provides an uninterrupted user experience without any advertisements. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 13.0 — 2023-12-19 PocketPipes can now play up to 4 voices at the same time. The need is to have one abc (or bww) file for each voice. All the files in the set must have exactly the same duration when playing. You just have to follow the naming rule hereafter: any_title.1st.abc (or .bww) any_title.2nd.abc (or bww) any-title.3rd.abc (or bww) any_title.4th.abc (or bww) Only when selecting the .1st, you are proposed to play 2,3 or 4 voices depending on the size of the set. PocketPipes checks the durations. You cannot play polyphony when a begin mark is set on the first voice. If you install the demo pack (when your data base is empty), you will find inside 5 polyphonic sets as examples. If you prefer to keep your current data base you can download the polyphonic musics from the support web site and add them. to your existing files. ### 12.2 — 2023-11-21 Few changes on the music sheet screens (around control panel and time bar visibility, marks settings, and go back to the tunes list) It now possible to zoom and scroll multipage scores when the control panel or the time bar is visible. See the embedded help. ### 12.1 — 2022-05-13 On the sheet music, the long press is now available when the control panel or the time bar is visible. This release also completes the evolutions on the abc parser (comments on staff, background color ...). Remember that K: must conform to bagpipe scale Hp or HP The in-app help gives links to sources of abc or bww files. The ABC tutorial is being updated on the support web site. ### 12.0 — 2022-04-25 The ABC parser has been reworked and lot ABC files coming from different sources can be read. The ABC Tutorial on the web site will be updated. The strong requirement remains that the Key (K:) must be Hp or HP as usual. When no tempo is given (Q:) the beat is caught from the rhythm indication (R:) if any. The useful links in the in-app help shows indications to find abc or bww tunes on the web. When a file indicates a source (S: for ABC) or a footer (F for BWW) this information appears on the footer of the sheet music. The categories have been definitively removed from the preferences and fully handled inside the app. ### 11.1 — 2022-03-07 - A category editor is now available through the C button on top of the music files list. In the previous releases categories were in the settings, they are caught at the first launching and are no more used in the settings. The categories will disappear from the settings in the next release. - When the files list is empty, the app proposes to install demo files. This is more simple to to get familiarised with the app, before installing your own files - The app icon has changed ## Apps similar to PocketPipes | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Piper's Metronome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pipers-metronome/id1445858200) | 4.8 (437) | Free | Music | | [the Craic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-craic/id586009292) | 4.3 (12) | $4.99 | Music | | [Bagpipe Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bagpipe-player/id967901058) | 4.0 (25) | $14.99 | Music | | [Dojo University](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dojo-university/id6501969159) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Music | | [Bagpipe Tutorial - Bagpipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bagpipe-tutorial-bagpipes/id1503540750) | 4.3 (8) | Free | Music | | [Braw Tunes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braw-tunes/id6466304823) | — | Free | Music | ## Related topics [bagpipe player](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bagpipe-player) · [bagpipe sim](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bagpipe-sim) --- *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.*