# Fingering Brass vs SmartScales

The clearest difference is price: SmartScales at Free against Fingering Brass's $1.99. SmartScales also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 33%) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 16 months). Fingering Brass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On ads there is nothing between them.

SmartScales is free to download; Fingering Brass costs $1.99 up front. SmartScales sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Fingering Brass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Fingering Brass holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartScales has 38 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Fingering Brass's written reviews are positive against 67% of SmartScales's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Fingering Brass ships an update every 16 months, SmartScales every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fingering Brass | SmartScales |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fingering-brass/id367215632/reviews)** | [4.2 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **38** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 134 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Patrick Q. Kelly](https://appshunter.io/developer/310068987) | [Greater Heights Media Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1024503102) |

## What reviewers say

### Fingering Brass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fingering-brass/id367215632)

Access interactive fingering charts for a wide range of brass instruments and piano. View fingerings for written or concert pitch, with alternate options and audio playback. Supports multiple clefs and transpositions.

**Highlights:** Instrument fingering charts, Alternate fingerings, Concert pitch playback, Written pitch input, Multiple clef support, Piano keyboard interface, Transposition options

**In-app purchases:** none


### SmartScales

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103)

This app transforms scale and arpeggio practice into an engaging experience with specially composed backing tracks. It closely aligns with the ABRSM syllabus, offering interactive scores, adjustable tempos, and a built-in metronome. Explore various music styles and practice with looping exercises for instruments like piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

**Highlights:** Interactive scale and arpeggio practice, ABRSM syllabus alignment, Specially composed backing tracks, Adjustable tempo control, Looping exercises, Built-in metronome, Toggleable audio tracks

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Violin Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Piano Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Piano Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Viola Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Makes practicing scales fun
- 💡 Invaluable for beginners
- 🚀 Useful for all levels
- ✅ Great for developing ear and intonation
- ✨ Engaging and enjoyable practice

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Sound quality is dire
- 😕 Backing tracks not to taste
- ❌ Difficult to find specific scales
- 📉 Scales played too slow
- 🚫 No MIDI support

**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

**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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fingering Brass free?

Fingering Brass costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SmartScales free?

SmartScales is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Fingering Brass or SmartScales?

Fingering Brass is rated higher. Fingering Brass averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while SmartScales averages 4.2 from 38 ratings.

### Do Fingering Brass or SmartScales have ads?

Neither Fingering Brass nor SmartScales shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Fingering Brass or SmartScales?

Fingering Brass ships an update every 16 months, and SmartScales every 5 months. Most recently, Fingering Brass was updated on November 6, 2026 and SmartScales on November 6, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*