# SmartScales - Backing Tracks — user reviews > 60 indexed App Store user reviews of SmartScales by Greater Heights Media Ltd, rated 4.20/5 from 38 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 22 · 4★ 10 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 4 ## 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) ## Newest reviews (12 of 60) ### 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! ### 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!* ### 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 ### 3/5 — Poor backing *2019-05-02, version 1.3.2* This a great concept but after listening to violin grade 1 G major scale the backing track is in multimetre while the scale is in 4/4 with quavers throughout. ### 4/5 — I’m glad I bought it. *2019-02-20, version 1.3.1* Although it’s not perfect, I am extremely glad I bought this app as it has been helpful in my study. I have the double bass version. At first I found the synthesised “double bass” sound somewhat annoying to play along with and would like to suggest they offer an alternative with just a piano sound to get the pitch. However, the sound is considerably improved if you connect the iPhone or iPad to an external amplifier and speaker. This is an otherwise excellent app. I’m not sure about the play along backing tracks though, but you don’t have to use them. I have taken up the bass after a lifetime of playing and teaching guitar professionally and find this is a great help for improving my intonation. It would be good if they could adapt this app to also check your intonation while you are playing and give you an analysis of how much you are improving, or even just reminding you of particular notes you’re less accurate on. I am currently working on Grade 6. ### 3/5 — Nice idea but *2018-11-13, version 1.3.1* Levels don’t sync with current AMEB or ABRSM exam requirements. ### 5/5 — Immediately Helpful *2016-09-19* My intonation and bowing fluidity improved in an hour, in ways I could not cultivate without external help. It was great. Highly recommended, even if you can only afford the few free scales. It will get your ear to fingers to bow connection going. ### 5/5 — Classical guitar? *2016-06-25* This App sounds great! I would love to have it if they include guitar in the instrument selection. ### 5/5 — Grade 3 *2016-05-25, version 1.1* Such a good app for scales helped me with grade 3 shame they don't do it for piano 😕 but other than that very good 😀😀😀😀😍 ### 5/5 — My husband Dweezy loves it *2016-05-11, version 1.1* My husband Dweezy02987 bought this for our 3 year old son. Happy household as he will now practice his scales! We love it. And each other. ### 5/5 — Not complete but pretty good *2016-03-30* At first I was wondering why most of the scales were missing but then I realized that they are presented as a student would progress through the grades. It is actually a pretty good app for education and practice. The design and implementation is good but I feel like it could have more content. Idea: Could use a tuner. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crashes *2020-02-15, version 1.3.3* Mine crashes after I tried to open it- having paid the £12.99 for the whole package. Please fix this ### 1/5 — Wasted £12.99, crashes, don’t download. *2020-02-13, version 1.3.3* I paid for violin scales grades 1-8 for my son. The app crashes after 1 second and is unusable. No obvious support link. Appalling. Don’t download. ### 1/5 — crashing *2020-02-11, version 1.3.3* crashes after 1 second on ipad. please fix ### 1/5 — Unable to locate in ap purchases *2019-12-31, version 1.3.2* No support explaining how to purchase in ap extras, I now remember why I have not used this ap for ages, barely any scales and no way that I can find to locate and buy other scales.developers you have made it very difficult for me and many other people to spend my money in your ap! ### 1/5 — Not free *2016-08-15, version 1.2.2* This app does nothing unless you buy in app purchases. If it's not then don't put in the App Store as free. ### 1/5 — Nice app...doesn't load *2016-02-19, version 1.1* What's the deal? iPhone 5 not up to par??? ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2016-02-13, version 1.1* Keeps re-downloading. Doesn't get past the unpacking files screen. ### 2/5 — Scales *2024-09-30* Not for me. Can’t even delete it from my I pad. ### 2/5 — no midi support *2020-05-05, version 1.3.5* Lack of midi support leaves a lot to be desired ### 2/5 — Too slow *2016-10-25, version 1.2.2* Could be good but scales and arpeggios are played too slow even at maximum speed. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Amazing. *2024-06-04* Really useful app with great adaptability - please can you add abrsm clarinet to the options. ### 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! ### 5/5 — Very good *2020-05-10, version 1.3.6* I loved this app, it really helps and I needed specific work with fingering and now have it sussed ### 5/5 — Superb *2020-03-12, version 1.3.4* Making playing scales a whole lot more fun. Fantastic app ### 5/5 — Absolutely Worth It!! *2019-09-09, version 1.3.2* I’m a self-taught beginner and enjoy practicing the scales, but this app has made my practice even more engaging and fun. It’s easier to learn the different scales and I can play a long with the app, awesome!! (This is definitely not a sponsored review!!) ### 5/5 — Superb - You need this! *2017-02-24, version 1.2.3* This is just what I was looking for. Scales and Arpeggios with a choice of rhythms/backing music so that practicing is no longer dull and isolated! I'm updating my review after using this app every day for a month and I still love it. The accompanying music gives you the ability to 'get funky' with your scales and improvise rhythms... What more could you want! Don't forget to go into settings and change your lock screen to 'never' so it doesn't switch off. FANTASTIC APP! ### 5/5 — For Everyone *2017-01-08* I found this app very helpful for someone learning a new instrument, even adults. --- *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.*