A tablet can come in handy for all sorts of different reasons. If you have a specific purpose for wanting a tablet, such as for reading sheet music, these devices can fill a need that no other product can.
They can be a great tool for musicians and offer a slick alternative to carrying around a large binder full of songs and standards.
Here, we will take a look at the best tablets for sheet music, with the top recommendations found below.
Contents
Who Should Get This
If you’re a musician who uses sheet music, a tablet can help you stay organized.
These devices offer the ability to store literally thousands of pieces of sheet music that you can instantly access with a few strokes of your finger.
If you remember the days of having a folder stuffed full of songs, then you know how much easier a one-stop solution is for all of your sheet music. Plus, they come with a bunch of other useful features as well.
If you’re a tactile person and still like to use a music stand and paper sheets, you are a legend. You also probably scoff at the idea of using an electronic device for reading music.
However, even if you don’t know how to read sheet music, the tablets on this list offer some great features that musicians will love.
Best Tablet for Sheet Music: Our Picks
This section outlines the top sheet music tablets and covers why they stand out in such a crowded market.
1. iPad Pro
- Best For: Overall
- Key Features: M1 chip. TrueDepth camera system and brilliant Liquid Retina display. True Tone and P3 wide color.
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Screen Size: 12.9 inches
Few tablets come with as much functionality or as many features as the iPad Pro. This well-rounded product is great for many applications, and it’s also excellent for sheet music. It has an extremely impressive processor and the display is amazingly clear.
You also get all of the impressive traits that make the iPad so popular. That includes a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, TrueTone, and P3 wide color. The battery lasts all day and the connectivity is unparalleled.
The only issue to note about the iPad is its price. It’s easily one of the most expensive models on the market, especially compared to more affordable tablets. You need to be prepared to pay that when going for an Apple product.
2. Galaxy Tab S7
- Best For: Functionality
- Key Features: Portable-but-tough. Long-lasting battery. Excellent additional features. Fast charge and quick sync.
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Screen Size: 11 inches
The Galaxy Tab 7 is a wonderful tablet specifically made with functionality in mind. Not only is it good for sheet music, but it has a well-rounded design that allows you to play games, watch shows, and perform work. That’s backed by a strong processor and wonderful S pen.
The connectivity is great, the bright display looks good in just about all lighting arrangements, and the 15-hour battery allows you to fully enjoy your tablet without looking for an outlet. It charges up quickly and has a large, functional screen as well.
This is a complete tablet, but you do need to get extra accessories (like the keyboard) separately. That’s not a huge deal, but it’s important to factor into your budget.
3. Fire HD 10
- Best For: Affordability
- Key Features: Strong 1080HD display. 12-hour battery life. Good clarity and resolution. Lower price point.
- Weight: 10.1 ounces
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Screen Size: 10.1 inches
The Fire HD 10 is a reliable-but-affordable tablet that works for just about anything you need. The 10.1-inch screen is plenty large, while the 1080HD display makes everything look incredible. There are many viewing angles and the coloration is always crisp.
In addition, you get 12-hours of battery life, dual cameras, and great connectivity. As this is an Amazon product, it’s also fully compatible with Alexa. There are two storage options and the processor is more than enough to perform basic tasks.
As this is a more budget-friendly tablet, it doesn’t have the same expanded storage as other premium options. As long as you’re ok with what it does offer, it’s a great way to enjoy sheet music.
4. Surface Pro 7
- Best For: Versatility
- Key Features: Powerful processing power and speed. Long-lasting battery. Lightweight and portable. Various port options.
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Battery Life: 10.5 hours
- Screen Size: 12.3 inches
Outfitted with an optional keyboard, plenty of ports, and many different accessories, the Surface Pro 7 is a fantastic sheet music tablet with a ton of versatility. It can easily handle basic tasks, doesn’t weigh too much, and has an impressive 10 plus hour battery life.
Another big plus of this model is the optional keyboard that allows you to use it both as a traditional tablet and laptop based on what you need. The processor is more than enough, while the graphics look amazing on the 12.3-inch display. Everything shows up in stunning detail.
As this is a Windows model, there’s a bit of bloatware packed into the device. If you don’t mind some extra programs, or don’t mind spending some time deleting them, the Pro 7 will give you a bit of everything.
5. iPad Air
- Best For: Portability
- Key Features: Crisp, modern look. Lightweight build. 8MP wide back camera and 12MP ultra wide front cameras. Touch ID for better security.
- Weight: 1 pound
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Screen Size: 10.2 inches
The iPad is a fantastic tablet. If you like everything it offers but want something with extra portability, the Air is a stellar choice. Despite the lightweight shell, this model still looks incredible thanks to the 10.2-inch screen with Retina display and True Tone coloration.
The stereo speakers sound amazing, the connectivity is extremely reliable, and the Neural Engine powers everything beautifully. On top of that, you get access to the App store as well as the slick, modern appearance seen across all Apple products.
Users of this model, however, should know that toughness is not its strong suit. Be careful when using this, especially outside. As long as you don’t bump or damage it too much, it’ll deliver for a long time.
6. Venturer Luna Max
- Best For: Budget
- Key Features: Versatile functionality. Dual-band WiFi and excellent connectivity. Detachable keyboard. Quad-Core processor.
- Weight: 1.35 pounds
- Battery Life: 4 hours
- Screen Size: 14 inches
Tablets, sheet music focused or otherwise, can be expensive. The Luna Max is a cheaper option that still comes with plenty of amazing characteristics. That includes a slew of all your favorite apps, a Quad-Core processor, as well as Dual-Band WiFi.
It’s simple to use and looks incredible as a result of the big 14-inch screen. Even so, it’s surprisingly portable thanks to the lighter weight. You can easily put it into a bag or take it with you out of the house. The sound is solid as well.
This is a budget tablet, however, which means there are some sacrifices. This doesn’t have the best battery life. That does make it best for at-home use or use in areas where you have easy access to an outlet.
How to Choose a Tablet for Sheet Music: Things to Consider
Battery Life
Always consider your tablet’s battery life. Obviously, the longer the battery lasts between charges, the more time you will be able to spend on your tablet.
For purposes of using your tablet for sheet music, you want a battery that will last for hours so you don’t have to worry about charging it in the middle of a concert, recital, or rehearsal.
All of the options you’ll find here have at least a 10-hour battery life.
Storage Capacity
While a single piece of sheet music won’t take up a lot of storage, chances are you’re going to have many sheets. That is one of the main reasons to get a tablet for sheet music.
Being able to store everything in one location creates a lot of storage and makes your life much easier. Just know you need a tablet that has enough storage to easily hold everything and still have room to run other apps and features.
Display Clarity
The clarity of the display on your tablet is another big concern when you are reading sheet music. You want to see every note and every bar clearly.
All of the options listed here come with excellent displays that offer high resolution. They also have the ability to adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen so you can create a viewing experience that’s to your liking.
Additional Features
Even if your main reason for getting a tablet is to read sheet music, you will inevitably use the device for much more.
With that in mind, keep an eye out for additional features that might be useful for your other interests or activities. Tablets can come equipped with cameras, additional storage, and cool apps that enhance functionality.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a musician, a tablet can help you out in many ways. Not only are they a great way to organize, store, and read sheet music, these devices offer plenty of other features and apps to help you build your creativity.
They are portable as well, which makes them easy to take with you to a gig or band practice. If you’re looking for a tablet specifically for sheet music, the options you’ll see here are the best.
What instrument do you play? Do you prefer reading sheet music on a tablet or on paper? Let us know in the comments below!
