# TouchBells

> Virtual carillon music instrument with recording, sharing, and learning features for iPad. (iPhone/iPad app by Thomas Braun.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchbells/id378697992 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Thomas Braun](https://appshunter.io/developer/296553965)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 2.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 66 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-07-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchbells/id378697992/reviews.md

## What is TouchBells?

TouchBells is an easy and fun to use carillon music instrument (Glockenspiel) for the Apple iPad. The instrument covers a range of 1 1/2 octaves (from C3 to F#4). 

Classic Xylophone sounds, Vibraphone sounds and Tubular Bells sounds are available. With TouchBells, you can just freely play along or record and play back your songs. 

You can also share the songs you recorded with other TouchBells users. By using the TouchBells teach mode,  you can learn how to play the songs other TouchBells users share with you. TouchBells is also great for kids early musical education.

TouchBells has several unique features:

- Xylophone or Vibraphone sounds.
- Adjustable Stereo effect.
- Its tunable, you can alter the instrument pitch.
- Song recording and song management.
- Share you songs with other TouchBells users by eMail.
- Export your songs for iTunes.
- Learn how to play using the Teach Mode.
- Play dynamically using TouchBells touch-sensitivity feature.
- Choose from four different bar captions (None, German-, American- and Solmisation-Style).

Furthermore, TouchBells includes 25 demo songs:

- Cradlesong (Wiegenlied)
- Frere Jacques
- Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Staedtele naus
- Silent Night
- My Bonny Is Over The Ocean
- Ode to Joy
- The moon as risen
- Rondo all Turka (Turkish March)
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- Matilda
- What shall we do with the trunken sailor?
- Kojo no Tsuki
- The Song of the Volga Boatmen
- La Cucaracha
- O Christmas Tree
- Jingle Bells
- Happy Birthday To You
- Schneewalzer
- Auld Lang Syne
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Für Elise
- Michael Row the Boat Ashore
- She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
- Hänschen Klein
- Old Mac Donald

With the demo songs and the TouchBells Teach Mode, you can start directly with the learning how to play!

## Key features

- Virtual carillon instrument
- Xylophone, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells sounds
- Song recording and playback
- Song sharing with other users
- Teach mode for learning songs
- Adjustable stereo effect
- Tunable instrument pitch

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchbells/id378697992/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Fun to play

*2018-03-20, version 2.3*

Only reason why I gave it 4 Stars is because I would like to have the option to learn to play songs on it. But otherwise it’s fun to play. I think I like the tubes the best.

### 1/5 — Doesn't work

*2015-03-31, version 2.1*

No sound! I'm only giving it one star because you have to give it something to write a review.

### 5/5 — Great Tubular Bells!

*2012-11-05, version 2.0*

I bought this app specifically for the tubular bells, and I am delighted with it.  Everything is very well written with lots of adjustments that can be made to the basic setups.  The sound is fantastic.  The record function is excellent.  

But, I do have one request ...

I WANT BIGGER BELLS!!!    

I WANNA GO *BONG!* *BONG!* *BONG!* on a GIANT set of bells! I want to be Quasimodo in the bell tower!

GIVE ME BIG BONGING BELLS!!!

Please?

Awesome app!

### 1/5 — Previous version was better

*2012-08-24*

Nice app but now they ruined it by adding a splash title page. This app immediately displayed the instrument and was immediately ready to play in all the previous versions but now, you have to wait through a pointless title screen. They _added_ a time-wasting title to an app that never needed one before. Very lame. Apple doesn't need to use title screens.

### 5/5 — Nicely done...

*2011-08-22, version 1.2.1*

...and now a couple of  improvements would be:
Adjustable key widths (bigger range)
Octave shift (down)
Ability to play along with the sample tunes

### 5/5 — Great

*2011-06-03, version 1.2.1*

Very nicely done - 1 1/2 octaves, chromatics, record/playback facility. An excellent step-up from the basic children's xylophone.

### 5/5 — Great for a beginner

*2011-01-16, version 1.2.1*

I love the tutor mode: you can turn it on or off, or just play and watch, and then teach yourself the tune. Adjustable tuning, vibes or bells, responsive volume depending on where you strike. It's a very nice way to exercise your musical brain. Looks perfect for a real musician, too.

### 4/5 — worth the money

*2010-08-18, version 0*

This app delivers as promised. the user interface is intuitive and notes sound immediately when played. nice job!

Joe N.

### 4/5 — Loaded & fun

*2010-07-25, version 0*

Clear sound, with good vibe tone, too. Adjustable scale, so you can tune with others if playing in a group. Demo songs, but also a way to enter your own demos and add them to the mix. Don't miss the tutorials, which are not clearly marked (look under options). Good job on those! Best of all is the ability to record your songs and play back. This is missing in many of the better musical apps, so I was pleasantly surprised to find it here. I review a lot of apps, and am often a tough critic. Here I found a lot to like and very few things that needed fixing. One silly "oops" is the "B" note marked with "H" instead. A minor fix. 
     This app gives a lot for 99 cents. If I had known it was this decent, I would not have minded paying more. Good job. Fun app.

## Frequently asked questions about TouchBells

### What instruments can I play with TouchBells?

TouchBells offers classic Xylophone, Vibraphone, and Tubular Bells sounds, simulating a carillon music instrument. The instrument covers a range of 1 1/2 octaves from C3 to F#4.

### Can I record and save my music with TouchBells?

Yes, TouchBells allows you to freely play, record your songs, and manage them within the app. You can also export your recorded songs for use with iTunes.

### How does the Teach Mode in TouchBells work?

The Teach Mode in TouchBells allows you to learn how to play songs that other users have shared. This feature, along with the 25 demo songs, helps users start learning immediately.

### Can I share my music with others using TouchBells?

Absolutely. You can share the songs you record with other TouchBells users via email. This fosters a community where users can share and learn from each other.

### What devices is TouchBells compatible with?

TouchBells is designed specifically for the Apple iPad. It is not available on other Apple devices like iPhones or Android tablets.

### How much does TouchBells cost?

TouchBells is a paid application. It is priced at $1.99 and does not feature any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### Does TouchBells have ads?

No, TouchBells does not contain advertisements. It is a paid app that offers an ad-free experience for users.

### What is the update frequency for TouchBells?

TouchBells was last updated on May 15, 2025, indicating active development. The latest version is 2.3.3.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.3 — 2025-05-15

- Various UI adjustments in the Song Management dialog.
- Song export is now more up-to-date, adapted to the OS version.
- New function for importing TouchBells files (.TBS).
- Further adjustments and fixes related to the current OS version.
- Splash screen "removed" and now back to its former state.

### 2.3.2 — 2018-06-03

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fixed chance incorrect playback on multiple notes after the instrument was changed.
Other minor bug fixes and general optimizations.
Revised About Dialog.

*** NEW *** 
Volume discount for educational institutions

### 2.3 — 2018-01-07

* Bug fixes for iOS 8+
* Updated About Informations
* Requires iOS 8 or higher

### 2.2 — 2015-04-12

* Bug fixes for iOS 8
* 64 Bit Version

### 2.1 — 2013-11-15

- Updates and fixes for iOS 7

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## More apps by Thomas Braun

- [RPN Calculus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-calculus/id374359458)
- [Mind Twist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mind-twist/id391098251)
- [Space Guard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-guard/id658493234)

All apps by Thomas Braun: https://appshunter.io/developer/296553965

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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 2026-06-11.*
