2.0 Safe to install
BlueNotation — compact composer’s sketchpad with useful features but rough edges
BlueNotation (Eiji Koyama) is an iPad-focused notation app offering a piano-style keyboard, diatonic chord palette, automatic accompaniment, grand-staff support and PDF/PNG/MIDI export — convenient for jotting musical ideas and practice — but users report persistent export/printing and MIDI timing problems and some UI/formatting limitations.
BlueNotation offers a comprehensive platform for translating musical ideas into standard notation, facilitating the creative process for composers and arrangers.
The integrated Piano-Style Keyboard provides efficient note entry across four octaves, streamlining the notation process. An automatic accompaniment generator enables users to quickly produce and listen to their compositions in real-time.
Features for composition include:
- Intuitive note entry via a four-octave Piano-style keyboard
- Chord input using the Diatonic Chord Palette for ease of use
- Automatic accompaniment generation to assist with arrangement
- Support for various staff styles, including treble clef, bass clef, and grand staff (combining treble and bass clef)
- Lyrics entry functionality
- Playback options encompassing diverse styles such as Jazz Swing, Pop 8-beat, and metronome
- Playback with multiple instrument sounds to emulate different arrangements
- Automatic addition of bars for proper measure structuring
- Key modulation capabilities within measures
- Export options available in PDF, PNG images, and MIDI formats
Features aimed at training and practice include:
- Customizable repeat counts during playback
- Tempo adjustment for tempo accuracy and practice
- Key change functionality to facilitate transposition
- Global key transposition support for wind instruments such as C, Bb, Eb, F, and G instruments
- Interval display from the root note of chords or keys to aid musical understanding
- Solfège syllable display for vocal training and sight-singing practice
For bug reports or feature requests, users are encouraged to submit feedback via the support site: http://phrasenote.wp.xdomain.jp/.
Overview
BlueNotation is a Commercial software in the category Audio & Multimedia developed by Eiji Koyama.
The latest version of BlueNotation is 2.0, released on 03/02/2026. It was initially added to our database on 03/02/2026.
BlueNotation runs on the following operating systems: iOS.
Users of BlueNotation gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Fast note entry via a piano-style keyboard (4 octaves) — good for quickly capturing musical ideas
- Diatonic chord palette and chord input history to speed chord entry
- Automatic accompaniment generator to hear arrangements of your ideas instantly
- Supports treble, bass and grand staff (useful for piano and reduced scores)
- Lyrics entry for simple vocal notation
- Playback with a variety of styles (jazz swing, pops/8beat, metronome) and multiple instrument sounds
- Export options: PDF, PNG (image) and MIDI (enables sharing and further editing elsewhere)
- Training features: repeat count, tempo change, global key transposition for common wind transpositions (C, Bb, Eb, F, G), display of intervals and sol-fa syllables
- Supports multiple voices (up to 4 parts) and multiple notes per beat (added in updates)
- Measure editing tools: automatic bar addition, copy/cut/paste of bars, change key/time signature support
- Playback conveniences: count-in, playback mixer and playback repeat control
- Relatively small app size (around 40–41 MB) and designed for iPad (optimized for tablet entry)
- Active changelog/history: developer has fixed bugs and added features across versions (iOS support, time signatures, grand staff, etc.)
Cons
- Print/export layout issues reported by users — created scores may render one measure per line and be hard to read when printing or viewing exported PDFs
- MIDI export has historically had timing problems (developer notes show fixes, but user reports indicate lingering or prior issues)
- No realtime MIDI input / live recording — requires step/keyboard-style entry rather than recording performances
- Some UX limitations reported: inability to delete empty measures (user complaint)
- Sparse user reviews and low visibility in the App Store — limited community feedback to gauge reliability
- Support and responsiveness concerns reported by at least one user (perceived lack of developer support)
- iPad-focused design (App Store listing indicates iPad) — limited or suboptimal experience on iPhone or other platforms
- Not a full-featured desktop-grade notation editor — lacks advanced engraving controls and deep layout/customization compared with dedicated notation apps
- Occasional bugs in past updates (time-signature conversion bug was noted and required manual fixes for affected files)
- Last major listed update activity is limited (most recent noted update in 2020), which may concern users wanting frequent maintenance or new features
FAQ
What is BlueNotation and who made it?
BlueNotation is an app for composing, notating and practicing music on iOS, developed by Eiji Koyama. It focuses on quick note entry, automatic accompaniment and tools for training and practice.
Which devices and OS does BlueNotation support?
BlueNotation is designed for iPad (and some iPhone support was added in earlier updates). The App Store listing notes support for recent iOS versions (updates added iOS13 support). Check the App Store page for current compatibility before downloading.
How do you enter notes and chords in BlueNotation?
Notes can be entered quickly using a piano-style keyboard (4 octaves). Chords can be entered using a diatonic chord palette and there is a chord input history to speed composition.
What notation and playback features are available?
BlueNotation supports treble clef, bass clef and grand staff, multiple voices (up to 4 parts), lyrics, various time signatures and repeat markings. Playback offers styles like Jazz (swing), Pops (8‑beat), metronome and multiple instrument sounds, plus an automatic accompaniment generator.
What export formats does BlueNotation support?
The app can export PDF and PNG images of scores and can export MIDI files. Earlier versions fixed several MIDI timing bugs, but some users have reported issues with MIDI timing—test exports to confirm they meet your needs.
Can I transpose music or change tempo for practice?
Yes. BlueNotation lets you change tempo and transpose keys, including global key transposition for common wind instrument transpositions (C, B♭, E♭, F, G). You can also change the key signature for individual measures or the whole piece.
Is there a way to repeat sections or control playback for practice?
Yes. You can specify playback repeat counts, change tempo and key during playback, use count-in, and control a playback mixer. These features are intended for training and rehearsal use.
Are there known limitations or reported issues?
Users have reported issues in the past such as PDF/print layout showing one measure per line (making some prints hard to read), MIDI export timing problems (older versions fixed some MIDI bugs), inability to delete empty measures (reported), and limited realtime note entry. Some of these were addressed in updates, but test your workflow and exports before relying on them.
How frequently is BlueNotation updated and where can I find support?
The developer has released multiple updates over the years adding features and bug fixes (examples: iOS13 support, grand staff, MIDI fixes). For bug reports or feature requests, the App Store listing points to the support site at http://phrasenote.wp.xdomain.jp/ and the developer page on the App Store (Eiji Koyama).
How much does BlueNotation cost and where do I get it?
BlueNotation is a paid app available on the Apple App Store (price shown on the store; historically listed at $3.99). Download and purchase it from the App Store listing: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bluenotation/id933523765 .
Boris Weber
I am an editor at UpdateStar. I started as a support engineer, and am now specialized in writing about general software topics from a usability and performance angle among others. I telecommute from UpdateStar’s Berlin office, when I am not working remote as a digital nomad for UpdateStar. When I'm not analyzing the latest software updates, you can find me exploring new cities, immersing myself in local cultures, and discovering innovative tech trends across the globe.
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