# ScalePlay — generative music

> Generative music app for creating complex scale-based ostinatos and sequences. (iPhone/iPad app by RoGame Software.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scaleplay/id1140530163 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [RoGame Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/285831223)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, European Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China) and 1 more
- Released: 2016-08-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scaleplay/id1140530163/reviews.md

## What is ScalePlay?

ScalePlay is a generative music app capable of producing the most intricate ostinatos and sequences by applying complex scale patterns over user defined songforms and chord changes. It can be used in music production and is also a fantastic tool for music education. It includes scale references for hundreds of scales, nine virtual instruments and 128 instrument sounds. Its unique set of features allows the musician to visualize scale relations and to play along with generated patterns.

Modern musicians often practice playing scales according to organizing principles like thirds. What is meant by that is to play a scale tone, then its third, then the second scale tone, the third on top of that one and so forth. The exercise would result in the scale tones 1, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, etc. Not an easy feat at first, because before even getting started, one has to know the base scale. Playing patterns through different keys and scale types finally is a demanding task even for advanced musicians.

ScalePlay constructs patterns like these and much more complicated ones by using two simple grids. Grids have been around in music apps for years, but they are based on half-tone steps and include all available notes of the spectrum. That leaves one difficulty on the table, namely that of correctly identifying the notes of a scale. These grids also don’t easily allow for patterning as in our scale in thirds. So a different solution is called for and ScalePlay provides just that and so much more.

In the application songs are used as metaphor to organize different scale types into a harmonic context. They are constructed with chords which in turn determine what scale types are available at a given time. During playback the app then cycles through these virtual chords or as with TouchPlay allows to call them up at will. This architecture is very helpful for superimposing ScalePlay patterns over existing pieces and even practicing improvising over changes.

For practicing ScalePlay shows a pattern's progression on the built-in instrument and also provides a music notation reference. One can slow things down to need and play along. With the pattern lock feature all patterns can be kept in the same general vicinity. So instead of raising all scale tones when a base chord moves from C to G for example, patterns stay in place. This allows guitarists to practice scale patterns over changes while remaining in the same position.

ScalePlay is also a fabulous generative music app. That is because of the magic that happens when these self-repeating scale structures are put in motion. Fantastic music occurs. Since ScalePlay supports virtual MIDI and can be recorded into any iOS based DAW. It also features TouchPlay for advanced looping. With TouchPlay scale structures can be looped endlessly and out of order. The TouchPlay environment is superimposed over ScalePlay's main interface and allows live switching between different scale types with the tap of a finger in continuous or full pattern mode. Of course ScalePlay supports multi-app multitasking as well as split-view and split-screen to make this feature even more useful.

Instruments
• Banjo, Bass, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Viola, Violin

Some other Features:
• 211 scale types
• Virtual MIDI
• Advanced looping with TouchPlay 
• Full general MIDI instrument library

## Key features

- Generates intricate ostinatos and sequences
- Applies complex scale patterns
- User-defined songforms and chord changes
- Scale references for hundreds of scales
- Nine virtual instruments and 128 sounds
- Visualizes scale relations
- Interactive playback with generated patterns

## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scaleplay/id1140530163/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Needs 2 & 3 Octave Notation View

*2024-06-26*

Most elements of this app are quite nice, and for practice purposes, however, what is needed, for the musicians out there who can read notation (which a “musician” really should know) is the option to expand the notation view to full 2 and 3 octave view, and possibly have ascending and descending options.   I hope this review is seen by the developer.

### 5/5 — absolut phantastisch

*2021-11-21, version 1.5.1*

so macht das gitarre üben richtig freude. meine finger lernen tanzen.
und ganz nebenbei entstehen noch kleine kompositionen, die ich in AUM weiter bearbeiten kann.
ganz grosse klasse!

### 5/5 — Music production AND learning practice tool too.

*2020-12-28*

I got this cause I really like iOS sequencing apps with a twist that make it easy to come up with interesting / sophisticated ideas quickly . It does that well. However, I left it playing , then picked up my guitar and learned a new scale and worked on my rhythm and steady time as I played along with the hypnotic pattern. It was an added dividend I didn’t expect but quite welcome.

### 4/5 — Prima, aber ...

*2020-12-20, version 1.3.5*

einige der gesampelten Instrumente könnten besser klingen.
Vor allem hätte ich hier gerne einen schöneren Klang der Akustikgitarre.

### 3/5 — In progress

*2019-11-14*

This looked like a great idea, however, I unloaded this from my iPad after a couple of plays because the scale knowledge base has many errors: The developer has a Double Harmonic major with a flat 7, which is wrong. It should be a major 7 otherwise it is identical to the Phyrigian Dominant a mode from the Harmonic minor. They are two different scales.
Often when changing chord/scale relationships are not reflected on the interface.

### 5/5 — Another great app

*2018-03-14*

This and the app “Quincy” by Arthur Roolfs are some of the best compositional apps on iOS. These are so very inspiring and hold the key to future music composition.

### 5/5 — This is GREAT!!

*2016-10-12*

At the very least, it's an endless study in sequential patterns. At the very most, it can generate some interesting ostinato patterns to play over. I am loving this!! Check it out!!

## Frequently asked questions about ScalePlay

### What is ScalePlay used for?

ScalePlay is a generative music app that creates intricate ostinatos and sequences by applying complex scale patterns over user-defined songforms and chord changes. It is useful for music production and music education.

### What musical instruments does ScalePlay include?

ScalePlay includes nine virtual instruments and offers 128 different instrument sounds for users to choose from when creating their music.

### Can ScalePlay be used to practice scales?

Yes, ScalePlay is designed to help musicians practice scales. It shows a pattern's progression on the built-in instrument and provides a music notation reference, allowing users to slow down playback and play along.

### Does ScalePlay support MIDI output?

Yes, ScalePlay supports virtual MIDI and can be recorded into any iOS-based DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), making it compatible with professional music production workflows.

### How does ScalePlay handle chord changes?

ScalePlay uses songs as a metaphor to organize scale types into a harmonic context. Songs are constructed with chords, which then determine the available scale types at any given time during playback.

### What is TouchPlay in ScalePlay?

TouchPlay is a feature within ScalePlay that allows for advanced looping and live switching between different scale types with a tap of a finger. It can loop scale structures endlessly and out of order.

### What is the price of ScalePlay?

ScalePlay is available for a one-time purchase of $9.99.

### What devices is ScalePlay compatible with?

ScalePlay is currently supported on iPad devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.8 — 2026-03-26

This version adds a couple of UI tweaks, improved support for iOS 26, and several bug fixes.

### 1.6.5 — 2025-12-04

Version 1.6.5 fully supports Stage Manager, updates several aspects of the UI and fixes a couple of minor issues.

### 1.6.0 — 2025-10-01

This version includes a bunch of minor bugs, some graphic glitches and streamlines audio playback.

### 1.5.2 — 2022-03-07

This version fixes a potential issue with tuning adjustments, some layout issues and improves dark mode display.

### 1.5.1 — 2021-11-03

This version fixes a small number of bugs and includes layout as well as graphic improvements. Everything should feel a bit snappier, dark mode looks a bit nicer.

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## More apps by RoGame Software

- [Senet Deluxe](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/senet-deluxe/id285831220)
- [AbaCruX - Peg Solitaire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abacrux-peg-solitaire/id289381404)
- [Almond](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/almond/id296156544)
- [EarMan](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earman/id308737402)
- [EarTester](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eartester/id310064367)
- [ChordLab](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordlab/id315157583)

All apps by RoGame Software: https://appshunter.io/developer/285831223

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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 2026-06-01.*