Comparison

bFaaaP Pro & Switch vs Pentatonics

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

Head to head
About

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

This app works with a special device to allow individuals with leg disabilities, young children, and the elderly to play the piano with sustained tones using head movements. An iOS device detects head motion and transmits signals to activate an electric piano pedal.

Highlights
  • Head motion detection via iOS device
  • Sustained piano tones without foot pedal
  • Electric piano pedal activation
  • Accessibility for leg disabilities
  • User-friendly setup guide
Features
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bFaaaP Pro & Switch turns head movements into piano sustain-pedal control, so you can play the pedal completely foot-free. It is the companion app for the bFaaaP barrier-free assist pedals β€” one app that drives two devices, depending on your instrument: - bFaaaP Pro (acoustic pianos): a motorized device that physically presses the real sustain pedal. It anchors with an inflatable "airback" β€” non-destructive, no bolting β€” and self-calibrates. - bFaaaP Switch (digital pianos): switches the sustain electronically through the pedal jack. Small, light and motor-free. Using the front camera, the app detects the angle of your head and converts it into pedal ON/OFF signals, sent over Bluetooth Low Energy to the bFaaaP device on your instrument. The same head-angle control works for both devices. This lets people who cannot use a foot pedal β€” including wheelchair users and players with limited leg mobility β€” enjoy expressive, pedal-based performance. WHO IT IS FOR - Pianists who cannot operate a foot pedal - Music therapy, special-needs and inclusive music education - Anyone exploring accessible, barrier-free music making HOW IT WORKS - Detects head angle with the front TrueDepth camera (ARKit face tracking) - Converts the angle into sustain pedal ON/OFF - Sends the signal over Bluetooth Low Energy to bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch PRIVACY - The camera is used ONLY to read your head/face angle. - That value is processed on-device, used to generate the pedal signal, then discarded. - No face data, image or video is stored or shared with anyone. AN OPEN-SOURCE PROJECT bFaaaP is an open-source, open-hardware barrier-free project by Shishido & Associates. The source code, hardware build details, the story behind it, and ways to contribute are public: - Project & community: https://bfaaap.com - Source code (open source): https://github.com/bfaaap/bfaaap_opensource - Developer & related services: https://saaipf.com SEE IT IN ACTION Watch bFaaaP being played in real concerts and recitals, with setup and how-to guides: - How the system works (overview): https://youtu.be/iyRqPa8TLgE - Live concert β€” grand piano + bFaaaP Pro: https://youtu.be/V3cXeNW9jXY - How to use bFaaaP Switch (electronic piano): https://youtu.be/XOVENtBsOp4 - Full performance & demo collection (English): https://saaipf.com/en/bfaaap/#videos - Build & set up your own β€” step-by-step guide (English): https://bfaaap.com/en/build/ - All videos (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAvTy1k8rHs2WrEKPx1amg The app's source code is open and free on GitHub, so anyone can build and run it themselves. This App Store version is free, too β€” just install it and start playing. If you would like to help keep bFaaaP free and open for everyone, donations and support are always welcome (see the links above and at saaipf.com). Thank you for your support. You will need a bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch device to control a real pedal. Both are open hardware β€” visit bfaaap.com to learn how they are built and how to take part.

About

Pentatonics

This app visualizes five-note scales and their connection to chords, offering a unique way to explore musical expression. It helps musicians improvise, compose, and understand harmony with clear visual aids and smart filtering options.

Highlights
  • Pentagon scale-chord visualizer
  • Six curated pentatonic scales
  • Smart chord filtering
  • Two-way transposition
  • Layered interval insight
  • Highlight chord tones
  • Save favorite combinations
Features
Read full description

Pentatonics - Take Five Less notes. More music. Visualized. Step back. Level up. Unlock a new world of musical expression with Pentatonics, the visually driven music theory tool that transforms five-note scales into endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re improvising, composing, or exploring harmony, Pentatonics shows you how to say more with less. What Makes It Different Visualize the Scale-Chord Connection A one-of-a-kind pentagon visualizer shows exactly how a scale maps onto a chord, highlighting chord tones, extensions, tensions, and color with instant clarity. Six Curated Pentatonics These aren’t basic box patterns. Each scale is chosen for its harmonic purpose: β€’ Minor 7 (1, b3, 4, 5, b7) β€’ Minor 6 (1, b3, 4, 5, 6) β€’ Minor 7b5 (1, b3, 4, b5, b7) β€’ Major b6 (1, 2, 3, 5, b6) β€’ Major b2 (1, b2, 3, 5, 6) β€’ Whole-Tone (1, 3, #4, #5, b7) Smart Chord Filtering Choose from 14 chord filters to match the sound you want: Major, Minor, Dominant β€” plus altered, sus, and extended voicings like #11, b9, b13, and more. Two-Way Transposition Transpose chord and scale roots independently. Practice in any key. Compose in any context. Teach with full flexibility. Layered Interval Insight Switch between note names and scale degrees to understand how each note functions inside the harmony. Highlight Chord Tones Color-coded overlays show you roots, thirds, sevenths, and more β€” helping you target the strongest notes in your lines. Smart Starting Points Pentatonics finds 47 unique entry points where each scale fits the chord best β€” based on harmonic fit, not guesswork. Across all keys and chords, that’s 7,896 ways to explore expressive sounds. Stay in the Flow β€’ Save your favorite combinations for fast recall β€’ History tracking keeps your recent choices just a tap away β€’ Built-in suggestions point you to the most musical options Who It’s For β€’ Musicians breaking out of tired scale shapes β€’ Improvisers searching for expressive new ideas β€’ Composers seeking color and clarity β€’ Teachers looking to simplify complex harmony β€’ Students learning how theory works in real music Explore. Visualize. Improvise. Pentatonics isn’t just a scale reference. It’s a launchpad for creative growth. Built for modern iOS with a clean, fast interface powered by SwiftUI, it’s designed to keep you thinking less about theory β€” and more about sound. Take five β€” and play like never before!

Screenshots

bFaaaP Pro & Switch4 screens
Pentatonics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: bFaaaP Pro & Switch at Free against Pentatonics's $0.99. bFaaaP Pro & Switch also leads on iOS requirement (14.5 vs 17.6). Pentatonics's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 20 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download; Pentatonics costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, Pentatonics every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 5 level
bFaaaP Pro & Switch versus Pentatonics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterbFaaaP Pro & SwitchPentatonics
PriceFree β€” better$0.99
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 9 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.5 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size1 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomoyuki ShishidoOliver Richard Erich Naumann

In-app purchases

None

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

No in-app purchases

None

Pentatonics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is bFaaaP Pro & Switch free?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pentatonics free?
Pentatonics costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Pentatonics have ads?
Neither bFaaaP Pro & Switch nor Pentatonics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Pentatonics?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, and Pentatonics every 9 days. Most recently, bFaaaP Pro & Switch was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pentatonics on October 30, 2026.

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