Comparison

笙Time vs Jazz Licks

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

笙Time

This app simulates a traditional Japanese instrument called the Sho, used in Gagaku music. It features 17 bamboo pipes that produce a sound similar to a small pipe organ. Users can play notes by pressing buttons, adjust volume by tilting the device, and hold notes by dragging their finger.

Highlights
  • Sho instrument simulation
  • Traditional Japanese music (Gagaku)
  • 17 bamboo pipes sound
  • Volume control via tilting
  • Note holding functionality
  • Adjustable fingering modes
  • Customizable attack/release envelope
  • Selectable tone colors
Features
Read full description

"笙Time" is a "笙(Sho)" simulator. "笙(Sho)" is traditional Japanese instrument for "雅楽(Gagaku - Japanese traditional music)" It has thin 17 bamboo pipes. It sounds like small pipe organ. Each button play blow notes. ( ' means upper octave notes) "乞" : { A, E, A', B', E', F#' } "一" : { B, D, E, A', B', F#' } "工" : { C#, D, E, G#, A', B' } "凢" : { D, E, A', B', E', F#' } "乙" : { E, A', B', D', E', F#' } "下" : { F#, G#, A', B', D', F#' } "十" : { F#, G, A', B', D', E' } "美" : { G#, A', B', C', D', F#' } "行" : { A', B', D', E', F#' } "比" : { A', B', C', D', E', F#' } Each note is not on "Equal Temperament", but on "Pure Temperament" or "Pythagorean Temperament". Also the default base key A=430Hz Tilting your phone, the playing volume change. Push a button and drag your finger to out of the button, then the note can be hold. Setting view can set below parameters. - Available fingering mode "Sho" has limit fingerings. If you want to use all button, set this mode off. - Attack and Release Envelope You can set envelope time (0 to 1000 ms) - Tone Color You can select tone color (Hard/Medium/Soft)

About

Jazz Licks

Practice jazz improvisation with scrolling sheet music, backing tracks, and automatic transposition for various instruments. Offers adjustable tempo, clef switching, and PDF export for sheet music.

Highlights
  • Melody Guide with sheet music sync
  • Backing tracks with drums
  • Automatic 12-key transposition
  • Variable tempo control
  • Clef switching (treble/bass)
  • PDF export for sheet music
  • Favorites registration
Features
Read full description

◆This is a one-time purchase app that lets you practice various jazz improvisation phrases with backing tracks. Fully compatible with transposing instruments such as trumpet and saxophone. 【Main Features】 ・Melody Guide:Phrases scroll along with the sheet music and backing, allowing you to practice in sync. Great for beginners too! ・Backing with Drums:The drum keeps the rhythm so you can focus on groove while practicing. ・Automatic 12-Key Transposition:Practice without worrying about keys, even for C, Eb, and Bb instruments. ・Variable Tempo:Easily change the tempo to various patterns via settings. ・Key Step Adjustment:Optimize difficulty by transposing up a half step, perfect fourth, or perfect fifth. ・Clef Switching:Switch between treble and bass clefs. The actual pitch follows accordingly. ・Backing Pattern Switching:Freely change styles like Swing or Bossa Nova to match the mood. ・Backing Only Playback:Practice improvisation realistically without the melody line. ・Favorites Registration:Collect your favorite phrases in one place for instant access. ・PDF Export:Convert phrases into sheet music PDFs for printing. ・Simple UI & Easy Operation:Minimalist design makes functions clear at a glance. ・More Phrases Coming Soon:Content will be expanded with updates. 【Recommended For】 ・Jazz beginners to advanced players ・Wind players who want to improve improvisation for big band or jam sessions ・Those who want to systematically learn standard jazz phrases ・Those who want to manage sheet music, backing, and tempo all in one app 【One-Time Purchase for Peace of Mind】 ・No additional payments or subscriptions ・Future phrase additions will also be provided for free

Screenshots

笙Time4 screens
Jazz Licks3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 笙Time at $3.99 against Jazz Licks's $12.99. Jazz Licks's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 38 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

笙Time costs $3.99 and Jazz Licks $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

笙Time ships an update every 38 months, Jazz Licks every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
笙Time versus Jazz Licks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter笙TimeJazz Licks
Price$3.99 — better$12.99
Rating—3.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—61.9% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 38 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomohisa HimenoGENIT Inc.

In-app purchases

None

笙Time

No in-app purchases

None

Jazz Licks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 笙Time free?
笙Time costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Jazz Licks free?
Jazz Licks costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do 笙Time or Jazz Licks have ads?
Neither 笙Time nor Jazz Licks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 笙Time or Jazz Licks?
笙Time ships an update every 38 months, and Jazz Licks every 6 days. Most recently, 笙Time was updated on October 4, 2026 and Jazz Licks on October 29, 2026.

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