Uncovering the Best Fakebook Pro Alternatives for Musicians
Fakebook Pro has long been a go-to application for gigging musicians, offering an impressive suite of features like smooth page changes, instant search, easy set-list creation, and the ability to display sheet music in various orientations. Its reliability, lack of strange permissions, no in-app purchases, and offline accessibility make it a favorite. However, as with any specialized software, users often seek different functionalities, pricing models, or platform compatibility. This guide explores the best Fakebook Pro alternative options available, catering to a diverse range of musical needs.
Top Fakebook Pro Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a free solution, a more specialized tool for guitarists or ukulele players, or a comprehensive music theory application, there's a Fakebook Pro alternative out there for you. Let's dive into some excellent choices that offer unique benefits.
Guitar Dashboard
Guitar Dashboard is an excellent open-source, web-based, and self-hosted Fakebook Pro alternative, specifically designed for guitarists. It provides an interactive music theory dashboard, including a circle of fifths, making it a great ad-free educational and reference tool for understanding guitar harmony.
GtrLib - Guitar Chords
GtrLib - Guitar Chords is a freemium app available on Android, iPhone, and iPad, serving as a comprehensive library of guitar chords. It's a strong Fakebook Pro alternative for those focusing on chord mastery, featuring suggested finger positions, realistic audio demos for every chord, and a robust search facility, acting as a handy music composer tool.
Guitar chords and tabs
Guitar chords and tabs is a free Android mobile application that allows users to find and view over 500,000 chords or tabs from hundreds of artists. While it doesn't boast advanced features, its vast library makes it a straightforward and free Fakebook Pro alternative for guitarists needing quick access to a massive collection of chord and tab resources.
UkeLib - Ukulele Chords
UkeLib - Ukulele Chords offers a free, comprehensive library of ukulele chords with suggested finger positions. Available on Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad, it's an excellent Fakebook Pro alternative for ukulele players, featuring a dedicated chord library and support for MIDI, making it versatile for practice and learning.
Guitar Chord Finder
Guitar Chord Finder is a free personal web-based tool that simplifies finding common guitar chords directly in your browser. Its primary feature is providing clear diagrams, making it a quick and accessible Fakebook Pro alternative for guitarists who need a simple chord reference without installing an application.
Instrument Bible
Instrument Bible is a comprehensive commercial Fakebook Pro alternative designed to help users learn to play various instruments. It functions as a virtual fingering chart for brass, woodwind, and string instruments. Available across a wide range of platforms including Mac, Windows, Web, and mobile devices, it boasts features like education tools, a music library, music player, and even a virtual instrument, making it a robust learning and reference tool.
AudioTheory Guitars
AudioTheory Guitars is a commercial Fakebook Pro alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Steam. It serves as an ultimate reference tool for guitar notes and chords, featuring a built-in keyboard where each note reacts to user input across a customizable interface. While not a sheet music reader, it's invaluable for deep dives into guitar theory and note visualization.
UltimateGuitar.com
UltimateGuitar.com (and its associated apps) is a well-known commercial Fakebook Pro alternative, especially popular for its massive catalog of 800,000 songs with free Chords, Guitar Tabs, Bass Tabs, Ukulele Chords, and Guitar Pro Tabs. Available on Android and iPhone, it's a comprehensive resource for musicians looking for an extensive library of popular songs and various tablature formats.
Ultimately, the best Fakebook Pro alternative for you will depend on your specific needs as a musician. Whether you prioritize cost, specific instrument focus, advanced music theory tools, or simply a vast library of chords and tabs, the options above offer compelling alternatives worth exploring to find your perfect fit for practice, performance, and learning.