# SmartScales - Backing Tracks — Suitable for ABRSM > Interactive scale and arpeggio practice app with ABRSM syllabus backing tracks. (iPhone/iPad app by Greater Heights Media Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Greater Heights Media Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1024503102) - Category: Music, Education - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.20/5 from 38 App Store ratings · 60 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15 · 13 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2015-08-23 - Data updated: 2026-09-01 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103/reviews.md ## What is SmartScales? SmartScales makes practising scales and arpeggios interactive and fun! A collaboration between highly experienced music educators and leading music software developers, SmartScales ensures you’ll be making beautiful music thanks to specially-composed backing tracks in a broad range of styles. The graded exercise packs, available as in-app purchases, closely follow the syllabus of the ABRSM, the UK’s largest music education body and the world’s leading provider of music exams. Free content allows you to try exercises in each grade before buying. Content for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass available today, more instruments coming soon! • Follows the complete ABRSM syllabus*, including all exercise variations • Choice of music styles for every exercise • Fully interactive score follows the music • Adjustable tempo as you build towards ABRSM's suggested playing speed • Loop the exercise so the music goes on while you play • Built-in metronome helps you keep in time • Toggle lead, backing and metronome tracks on and off • Music can be used as jam along tracks * The syllabus on which SmartScales is based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of the copyright owner. ## Key features - Interactive scale and arpeggio practice - ABRSM syllabus alignment - Specially composed backing tracks - Adjustable tempo control - Looping exercises - Built-in metronome - Toggleable audio tracks ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Cello Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time | | Violin Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time | | Violin Grade 5 | $2.99 | one-time | | Cello Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time | | Cello Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time | | Cello Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time | | Violin Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time | | Violin Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time | | Violin Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time | | Viola Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time | | Piano Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time | | Piano Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time | | Piano Grade 2 | $1.99 | one-time | | Violin Grade 7 | $3.99 | one-time | | Double Bass Grade 3 | $1.99 | one-time | | Viola Grade 5 | $2.99 | one-time | | Double Bass Grade 8 | $4.99 | one-time | ## What do users think of SmartScales? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Makes practicing scales fun - 💡 Invaluable for beginners - 🚀 Useful for all levels - ✅ Great for developing ear and intonation - ✨ Engaging and enjoyable practice - 👍 Good value for money - 🔧 Adaptable and customizable practice - 🌟 Excellent developer support - 📚 Helpful for exam preparation **Cons** - 👎 Sound quality is dire - 😕 Backing tracks not to taste - ❌ Difficult to find specific scales - 📉 Scales played too slow - 🚫 No MIDI support - 😵 App crashes frequently - 💸 In-app purchases difficult to find/use - 🎶 Backing tracks can be poor - 🤔 Levels don't sync with current exam requirements - 📱 Not compatible with Apple School Business Manager **Commonly reported bugs** - Cannot delete app from iPad - In-app purchase server connection issues - App crashes after purchase - App crashes after opening - Unable to locate in-app purchases - App crashes after 1 second - App crashes on iPad - App doesn't load - App keeps re-downloading - Doesn't get past unpacking files screen **Most requested features** - Add ABRSM clarinet options - Add ABRSM piano syllabus updates - Pro version for school use with all grades enabled - Search for key signature and browse octaves - Add MIDI support - Add guitar as an instrument - Add brass instruments - Add wind instruments - Add band instruments - Add classical guitar - Add woodwind instruments (clarinet) - Add tuba - Add more instruments (orchestra) - Add tuner - Add drone (chord or single tone) - Include all three and four scale octaves - Offer alternative backing tracks (e.g., piano sound) - Check intonation and provide analysis - Highlight or change note head color - Add fingerings or display pitches - Create new rhythm patterns - More than 2 note slur option (3,4,6,8) ## Recent user reviews (10 of 60) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Cool app *2025-11-19* I’m really enjoying this app ### 5/5 — So useful *2025-04-06, version 1.5* As a total adult newbie to a stringed instrument, I have found this little app (free version) an invaluable introduction to scales. Now that I understand my instrument & the benefits of knowing & practicing scales, I find buying the full package extremely good value for money; I can practice & develop at my own pace. ### 5/5 — Amazing. *2025-03-05, version 1.5* Really useful app with great adaptability - please can you add abrsm clarinet to the options. ### 3/5 — Don’t buy before reading this *2025-01-04, version 1.4* I got the free version of this, but the content is not adequate to fully assess the app. The sound quality is dire, but I could have lived with that. I decided to buy the app so I could try it properly. I am a classical musician seeking support to practice higher grade scales. All the backing tracks on this app are jazzy type and not at all to my taste (or helpful for my needs). Now Apple won’t refund my £12.99. I shall be pursuing it through the bank - and I bet this review doesn’t show up on the review page as negative ones usually get buries lower down! ### 2/5 — Scales *2024-09-30* Not for me. Can’t even delete it from my I pad. ### 5/5 — Amazing. *2024-06-04* Really useful app with great adaptability - please can you add abrsm clarinet to the options. ### 4/5 — Needs a Pro version for school use *2023-10-02, version 1.4* I would give this 5 stars but for the inability to use this in schools where children’s devices are controlled by Apple School Business Manager which forbids in-App purchases. Please release a pro version with all Grades enabled, I’m sure it would be popular ### 4/5 — FIXED In App Purchase Problem *2022-11-16* I’ve been using this app for a while now, but recently I bought the piano package for all the grades, but I can’t access it because I get the message “Unable to connect to the In App Purchase Server at this time. Try again later”. I was already charged and I really need this for my class! It’s such a good app, but this is really frustrating! *EDIT: The problem was fixed, it took a while, but I’m glad I can use this app now!* ### 5/5 — Excellent service from the developers *2022-06-11, version 1.4* I recently noticed the syllabus for grade 1 scales wasn’t correct (Abrsm). I wrote the thd developers and they updated it without delay. Very impressive and it’s a useful tool as well. My son uses it for violin and now that I know the syllabus for piano will be updated when necessary I won’t hesitate to recommend it to my piano students. Thank you smartscales! ### 3/5 — Hard to find the scale I need to practice *2021-08-04, version 1.3.7* It’s hard to find a particular scale to practice, for example, if I want to practice E Flat, I had to tap grade, tap major, then find out that grade does not contain E Flat, or not enough octaves for me, then I have to tap out and out to check other grades and repeat this process each time when I want to practice a different scale, this is just so not practical, why can’t I just search for a key signature and browse all the octaves available for practicing, only takes two steps, instead I have to tap in and out in and out for more than 20 times in order to find a scale, what a strange user experience ## Frequently asked questions about SmartScales ### What does SmartScales do? SmartScales makes practicing scales and arpeggios interactive and fun. It provides specially composed backing tracks in various styles, closely following the ABRSM syllabus. The app features an interactive score, adjustable tempo, looping exercises, and a built-in metronome to enhance practice sessions. ### Is this app suitable for ABRSM exams? Yes, the app is specifically designed to follow the complete ABRSM syllabus, including all exercise variations. Graded exercise packs are available as in-app purchases and closely align with the requirements for ABRSM music exams. ### What instruments are supported? Currently, content for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass is available. The developers plan to add support for more instruments in the future. ### How much does SmartScales cost? The app offers free content to try exercises in each grade. Additional graded exercise packs are available for purchase as in-app purchases, allowing users to expand their practice library. ### Can I use the music for something other than practice? Yes, the music provided can be used as jam-along tracks. You can toggle lead, backing, and metronome tracks on and off, allowing for flexible musical exploration beyond structured practice. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.5.4 — 2026-05-19 Fixe IAP restoration. ### 1.5.3 — 2026-04-27 Fixed bug with clefs skipping during scrolling. ### 1.5.2 — 2026-01-16 Fixed bottom bar on Playback View positioned too low and clashing with OS-wide swipe gesture. ### 1.5.1 — 2025-06-26 Updated support contact info. ### 1.5 — 2025-01-17 Fixed text display issues for some display sizes ## Apps similar to SmartScales | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Intonia](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/intonia/id1397570622) | 5.0 (35) | Free | Music | | [Jamtracks - Guitar, Bass, Keys](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jamtracks-guitar-bass-keys/id6446049171) | 1.0 (2) | Free | Music | | [Blues Jam Tracks](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blues-jam-tracks/id432863096) | 3.6 (25) | Free | Music | | [Violin Vista: Tuner & Practice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/violin-vista-tuner-and-practice/id6457780326) | 5.0 (9) | Free | Music | | [Professional Violin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/professional-violin/id1452594913) | 3.8 (40) | Free | Music | | [SuperScore Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/superscore-music/id1000377224) | 4.3 (14) | Free | Music | ## Related topics [double bass](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/double-bass) · [abrsm violin scales trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/abrsm-violin-scales-trainer) · [backing tracks bass](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backing-tracks-bass) · [covert track](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/covert-track) --- *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 2026-09-01.*