I’ve recommended today’s Friday Fave pick to countless people already, because they’ve all been curious to ask about it when they see me using it. This particular resource is one that I use on a daily basis, whether I’m teaching a lesson, providing music therapy, or performing at a bar.
It’s an iPad app called GigBook, and it has completely revolutionized my music collection. I spent a good part of a week converting my sheet music collection to PDF form and importing all of my songs into the program. Now I have all of my music therapy songs, student repertoire, and gig music in one place.
But the best part about this app is that I can separate my music into collections, binders for individual students, and set lists for each gig I play. I can also organize songs by artist, genre, and just about any other category I choose.
GigBook is compatible with my AirTurn, a bluetooth pedal I use to turn pages wirelessly on the iPad. Between that and the iPad mount for my microphone stand, I have quite the convenient gig setup. And as for my day job, no more searching through file folders of sheet music while teaching lessons, or printing out lyric sheets to review before a music therapy session.
The $4.99 I spent on this app is nothing when I take into consideration how well it has served me so far. Have you tried it yet?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this app! I recently got an iPad in the hopes of converting my binders and books of hospice music into digital files, but wasn’t sure what would be the best app for doing so. My back and traps will be thrilled! :)
Hi Faith! You are so welcome – you will LOVE this app! It really has changed my day-to-day life for the better, as silly as that sounds. Let me know how you like it!
Oh I SO want an iPad!!! This sounds like the best app EVER. I have 2 filing cabinets of music plus 4 bookshelves of binders, yet I frequently use the same music over and over because I don’t have a go-to index. Someday when I do get an iPad, I’ll probably write to you and ask for the links to all of your posts about iPad, and I’ll also want to know your “top 10 (or 20 or 30)” list of favorite apps.
Elizabeth – I had that same problem! Constantly using the same old music just because it wasn’t all available right at my fingertips. I will be more than happy to provide you with a big ol’ list of great apps once you get that iPad ;)
This sounds wonderful, is there and app for the iPhone as well?
Hi Alyssa! I think the app is only for the iPad, unfortunately :( I just checked the iTunes store and there was no result for the iPhone. But I use dropbox to view PDFs on my iPhone when I don’t have my iPad with me, which works pretty well.
This is fantastic info! I’m saving it for when our generous benefactors get us the iPads on our hospice MT wish list. (I can dream, right?) Having the music on iPad would make life as an itinerant therapist so much easier and help me avoid breaking yet another roller bag!
Now that I have an ipad2, I don’t think there is an app called gig bag anymore. :( have you heard of any similar apps?
Elizabeth, it’s actually called GigBook (the company who makes it is Deep Dish) and it’s still available in the app store!
Hey Rachel,
Can I import just my lyric sheets into this? I don’t have much by way of sheet music that I follow. Just printouts of chords/lyrics (like your sheets on L&L).
Can you suggest a way to run my microphone to my iPad? It is a standard mic with regular three prong plug into my sound system. Do you run your mic thru your iPad?
Hi Sharon, unfortunately the iPad doesn’t generate enough power for a standard preamp, which you would need to run a mic with an XLR. I have tried but with no luck :( I use the Apple Camera Connection Kit to plug in my USB mic, though…which works like a charm. Hope that helps!