Writing on your scores (pen and finger gestures)
You can write directly on PDF scores with a pen or your finger. Fingerings and reminders stay in the same place the next time you open the score.
If your screens look different from this guide, update the app to the latest version.
Which scores, and where
- You can write on PDF scores. MusicXML and MIDI scores cannot be written on.
- You can write on the score detail screen and on a score opened from the practice screen, including while recording. Writing does not stop the recording.
- The original PDF file is never changed. Your notes are saved as a layer on top of it.
Add scores (PDF, MusicXML or MIDI) from Scores in Records. On a piece's screen, Choose a score to make it the score that Opens while recording; you can then open it right away with Score on the practice screen.
The tools
When you open a PDF score, the writing tools appear.
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pen | Draws lines. The color is black. |
| Erase | Removes the lines you trace over. |
| Width | A slider that sets the line width. |
| Eraser size | A slider that sets the area to erase. |
| Undo | Undoes the last action. |
| Redo | Redoes what you undid. |
If your stylus has an eraser end, you can also erase by tracing with it.
Select Erase and the slider changes to Eraser size. Check the circle preview to see the area you will erase. Pen width and eraser size are separate settings, so each keeps its size when you switch tools.
Pen and finger gestures
Whether your finger writes or moves the page depends on whether you have used a pen (stylus). The screen shows a short reminder of the current gestures.
Before you use a pen ("One finger: draw or erase · Two fingers: zoom and move")
- Draw with one finger.
- Use two fingers to zoom in, zoom out and move.
After you use a pen once
- The pen writes.
- At first, one finger moves the page and two fingers zoom and move.
- Turn on Draw with one finger in the tools to draw or erase with one finger again. Turn it off to use one finger for moving.
- Check the on-screen reminder, such as "One finger: move · Pen: draw or erase · Two fingers: zoom", for the current behavior.
- Each device saves your switch setting. It stays the same when you reopen the app or use the pen again.
Two-finger zooming and moving work with either setting.
When you zoom, every page uses the same zoom level. While zoomed in, move up or down to reach the previous or next page.
Saving and sync
Your notes are saved on the device as soon as you write them, and sent to the server shortly after. Other devices signed in to the same account show the same notes.
| Message | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Annotations saved | Also saved on the server. |
| Saved on this device. They sync when you're online | Saved only on this device for now. They are sent automatically when you are connected. |
| Couldn't save your annotations | They could not be saved on the device. Press Try again. |
Lines you draw without a connection stay on the device. They are sent when you open the score, return to the app or start the app.
If you write on the same page on two devices, the lines from both are kept. Neither device's notes disappear silently.
Deleting your account also deletes your notes.