composers` handbook

I was half awake this morning and purchased the abovereferenced app MistakeI was the guinea pig alas The developer basically took a wiki entry and made it to an app Basically no functionality other than barebones informational stuff about instrument ranges The iRealBook and other apps have a ton more functionality than this This would be ok for a 99 cent app but 7 no way If he had some more functionality other than a bare bones wiki entry converted to an app it would be cool As it is its a lazy effort to make an app at an inflated price Plus its an iPhone app not an iPad app Double lame     Basic informational app with little functionality a 99 cent app in disguise

Never mind the functionality or the fact its just a collection of otherwise broadly available info now that this app is 99 cents its very very convenient and nicely presented You can sort instruments alphabetically or by section and the app tells both the normal extended ranges as well as the practical lower interval limits for pretty much every jazz or orchestral instrument you are likely to arrange for Yes this info can be found elsewhere but having it grouped this way on a portable device is well worth a buck If the developer gets ambitious and wants to add more I would recommend tonal qualities for each instrument in each range and perhaps an illustration showing where it is usually physically located within an orchestra or a big band arrangement on stage But those are not necessary just nice to have                 Really good

Good basic info on standard insturment ranges Good for on the road resource This is not exhaustive that would take a stack of text books and still there would be acceptions depending on the performer All in all a good and accurate tool for orchestration              Time saver