I would love to know about using an iPad for an instrumental musician. Which iPad model would be the best? Are there other “gadgets” needed to make this work? My son is headed to college in the fall as an instrumental brass major and mentioned that current students told him they use an iPad. I’d love to surprise him for his birthday. I assume that he would still need a laptop too?
We were thinking about buying iPad Pro for my son to start college, music performance. We contacted his school and they said that they are trying to push iPad Pro for all students and faculty to use at the campus. However, nature of Jazz Studies (my son’s major), my son needs to compose original tunes, etc. At the end, we bought him MacBook Pro for the reason. It’s heavier but still compact.
I gave my son my “used” iPad Air when I bought iPad Pro for myself. He took it to school in first semester but didn’t take it when he returned to school after winter break. He is happy and doing fine with MacBook Pro and iPhone.
I can’t offer a lot on the topic, but we purchased the iPad Pro (larger size) with the Apple Pencil for my son’s graduation gift for the same reasons you’re considering it. So far, he uses it daily. In his lessons, his teacher sends him music in real time which he then immediately brings up full screen on the iPad. I do need to get him the software to mark up the music (ForScore?), a pedal to turn pages, and maybe a stand designed for iPads - that last may be unnecessary.
ETA: We searched old threads on facebook cello pages to see what others used. This was the common set-up. There were a few favorites for the brand of pedal (to turn pages while playing).
12.9 iPad Pro is what I’ve been using for years. Best way to keep sheet music at your disposal, make PDFs, share with others if they lose a copy. Easier for pianists to flip pages as well.
The IPad is helpful for scores (with pedal) while playing. A laptop would be needed for school. Some people are using Chromebooks but musicians may want a laptop with more complexity.