# StaffWars Live

> Interactive music education game for instrumental practice and note recognition. (iPhone/iPad app by TMI Media, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars-live/id1071622918 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [TMI Media, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/810405579)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 873 App Store ratings · 104 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 123 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-01-29
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars-live/id1071622918/reviews.md

## What is StaffWars Live?

Built on the success of the original 'StaffWars', StaffWars Live offers game play designed to aid students in instrumental practice. Choose your instrument, key signature, scale and note range, then play the notes that appear on the staff with your instrument to destroy them before they damage you clef. Notes get faster with every ten correct and you get three lives. 
     Press the "Settings" button to change your instrument, scale, key signature and adjustable note range. All notes are in the instruments' written pitch (i.e. Clarinet in C major would be concert Bb Major)
     All your scores are saved when exiting the game, so you can track your improvement. Scales include Major, Major Blues, Minor Blues, Chromatic
     Need to practice transposition? StaffWars Live has got you covered. All notes are in the instruments’ written pitch, so you can be a french horn player and select ‘Trumpet' to practice transposing to Bb.
   Connect any MIDI device to trigger the game with MIDI.

Note range = from 4 Spaces Below to 4 Spaces Above Clef
Start speed adjustable.
   
***NOTE*** - Make sure your instrument is in tune prior to playing StaffWars Live. Always play with good attacks and good tone. Game sounds may trigger the pitch detection so it is a good idea to turn your iPhone\iPad volume down while playing with the sound turn on.

## Key features

- Instrumental practice aid
- Customizable instrument, key, and scale
- Adjustable note range and speed
- Score tracking
- Transposition practice
- MIDI device support

## Chart rankings

- #95 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## What do users think of StaffWars Live?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Helpful for practicing notes
- 🚀 Great for improving sight reading
- 💡 Customizable to different instruments
- 😊 Fun and engaging game-like experience

**Cons**

- 🐛 Note recognition issues, especially for certain instruments
- 🐛 Problems with bass clef and transposing instruments
- 🔧 Difficulty settings could be improved
- 🔧 Occasional crashes and bugs

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Notes not registering correctly
- Bass clef not working as expected
- App crashing on launch for some users
- Misalignment of note graphics

**Most requested features**

- Add support for more instruments, including piano
- Implement a speed/difficulty slider
- Add an option for the grand staff
- Improve bass clef and transposition accuracy

## Recent user reviews (10 of 104)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars-live/id1071622918/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Very unreliable

*2026-08-17*

The app is supposed to listen to the notes played on a real instrument, but it barely works. I was getting maybe 25% note recognition on a piano that’s in tune. It seemed like I had to play the notes really loud for it to hear anything, but even then it was unreliable. This makes the game unplayable.

### 5/5 — Book3

*2026-06-25, version 2.21*

StaffWars is a good note reading exercise.

### 2/5 — Witzig, wenn es funktioniert

*2026-06-03*

Leider verändert sich das Tempo nicht mehr. Also die Töne kommen alle langsam rein. Der Anreiz fehlt, da es nun zu leicht ist. Wenn es wieder funktioniert gibt es fünf Sterne.

### 1/5 — This app is a scam

*2026-05-31, version 2.21*

This app is not worth a penny it takes so long to recognize a note. The game is very boring and only held my son's attention for five minutes. He did not learn anything. It's a fine tool if it was free, but since it was three dollars, I would not purchase this game.

### 5/5 — Staff Wars is AMAZING!!!

*2026-05-12, version 2.21*

Staff wars is an educational game for any age.It tests your capability to understand music notes.Staff wars is not just educational, but it is fun for all ages.I have really enjoyed playing this game.

### 5/5 — Hi

*2026-04-01*

This game is very fun and I recommend using this website
For children because it helps them memorize all of their notes and how much they read

### 1/5 — Underwhelming

*2026-03-18, version 2.10*

Horrible, works terribly, I thought I could get better disappointed at how low quality it is. The setting stopped working. Please fix it. I am currently deleting this app.

### 4/5 — Tiny bug…hopefully

*2026-01-23*

When playing bells, the note Bb registers as A# and will not be accepted as the “correct” answer (even though they are enharmonic and SHOULD be accepted as the correct answer.)

### 5/5 — Staff wars fan review or something

*2025-10-28*

This app is a great app it was a great investment so that you can sight read it really helps I really recommend it 👍👍👍👍🥁

### 1/5 — It’s too hard

*2025-02-26, version 1.75*

It’s too hard

## Frequently asked questions about StaffWars Live

### What does StaffWars Live do?

StaffWars Live is a game designed to help students improve their instrumental practice. Players interact with notes appearing on a musical staff, aiming to play them correctly with their instrument to score points and avoid penalties. It offers a fun and engaging way to reinforce note recognition and practice.

### What are the key features of StaffWars Live?

Key features include the ability to select your instrument, key signature, scale, and note range. The game also offers adjustable start speed, saves scores to track progress, supports transposition practice, and can connect with MIDI devices for gameplay.

### Is StaffWars Live free to use?

Yes, StaffWars Live is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free experience for users.

### What instruments and scales are supported?

The app allows you to choose your instrument and practice various scales, including Major, Major Blues, Minor Blues, and Chromatic. All notes are displayed in the instrument's written pitch, facilitating transposition practice for different instruments.

### How can I use StaffWars Live for transposition practice?

StaffWars Live is built to help with transposition. Since all notes are shown in the instrument's written pitch, you can select a different instrument in the settings to practice reading music as if you were playing that instrument, helping you understand transposing intervals.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.21 — 2026-05-05

Difficulty mode changed. Modes only apply difficulty to pitch detection. Speed stays constant throughout modes (Beginner is slightly slower than the rest)

### 2.20 — 2026-04-03

•	Added Difficulty levels that adjust game speed ramp and note detection forgiveness
	•	Updated pitch detection + repeat-note handling for more reliable hits
	•	High Scores now show difficulty, support optional player names, and have a refreshed card-style design
	•	Performance and stability fixes across gameplay, audio, and saved settings

### 2.10 — 2025-12-14

New “Musical” mode – smarter note selection that favors stepwise motion with tasteful leaps. Swipe up on game screen for options

Editable Musical presets – Easy/Medium/Arpeggiated/Leaps + full custom tuning via sliders (live-updates gameplay).

Custom Instrument – set your own transposition (+/- 24 semitones) and clef with a clean, dark sheet UI.

Auto Transpose - Don't know your transposition? Press 'Detect' and play the note shown. The transposition will be automatically set. 

Cleaner settings – key/scale/instrument persist reliably; key labels/accidentals improved (Ab vs G#, harmonic minor).

Performance & stability – faster pitch processing, steadier triggers, and fewer false hits.

Snappier swipe for options in gameplay

### 2.01 — 2025-11-18

Custom Instrument Fixed 
Mini Bassoon Transposition Fixed
SceneDelagate Added

### 2.0 — 2025-08-30

Minimum iOS Version 15.6

NEW CUSTOM INSTRUMENT
Is the transposition for your instrument not available in SW Live. It is now!
Custom instrument allows you to choose the interval for offset, and clef you want to you. 
Select 'Custom' in setting and select the number of semitones up or down you want shifted. 
It will show you the Concert pitch verses the Written Pitch. Enter what you want the written pitch to be.
Example - Trumpet -> To Sound C Major -> Written D Major -> +2 semitones

Improved Pitch Detection
Pitch Slider removed for tuning, better algorithm accounts for closeness
Improved Midi Detection
Addition of Minor Scales\Harmonic Minor Scales
Fixed Varios Layouts

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## More apps by TMI Media, LLC

- [StaffWars](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars/id810405576)
- [Rhythmic Dictation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmic-dictation/id825293936)
- [Recorder Pad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recorder-pad/id828164888)
- [Band Toolbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/band-toolbox/id1415584000)

All apps by TMI Media, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/810405579

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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 2026-08-29.*