10.1.1 Safe to install
Discover the Depths of Music Theory with Tonality

Tonality by Bryce Hostetler offers an engaging and comprehensive approach to understanding music theory concepts, making it a must-have for aspiring musicians.
Tonality is a comprehensive music reference tool that caters to musicians of all levels of expertise. With a vast database of chords and scales and a wide range of MIDI/AUv3 features, including chord pads for composition and performance, Tonality is an indispensable app for musicians.
When it comes to chords, Tonality offers an extensive chord dictionary with over 1,000 options for piano and guitar. You can listen to a chord by tapping on it or arpeggiate it by swiping. The app also allows you to perform reverse searches for chords using a piano or fretboard, and you can even identify chords from the microphone using its advanced ML algorithm. Searching for chords based on root, quality, and extension is made effortless, and you can explore different inversions and omittable notes. Additionally, Tonality provides information on related scales.
Guitar players will find Tonality particularly useful as it offers chord charts for any chord, supporting multiple tunings and instruments, including custom tunings. It also generates voicings based on criteria such as fret range, number of fingers used, and finger stretch. Furthermore, left-handed users have the option to switch the interface accordingly.
When it comes to scales, Tonality has over 1,000 options in its scale dictionary. You can search for scales by root and name and filter them by various tags. Similar to chords, reverse searches can be performed using a piano or fretboard. You can view scale degrees and note names, as well as ascending and descending versions of scales. Additionally, the app provides information on all modes and scale chords.
The interactive circle of fifths feature in Tonality allows you to explore key signatures and scales for major and minor keys. It also focuses on diatonic chords in a given key and provides Roman numeral analysis.
Tonality also comes with ear training exercises, allowing you to develop your ability to recognize notes, melodies, intervals, chords, and scales by ear. After each session, you can review what gave you trouble and create a customized level specifically targeting those areas. The app also provides detailed statistics about each training session and your overall training history.
For those interested in expanding their knowledge of musical terms, Tonality includes a comprehensive musical terms dictionary. You can easily access definitions and illustrations for terms related to tempo, symbols, articulation, dynamics, and more.
To aid in chord typing and previewing chord symbols, Tonality offers a special musical typing keyboard. This keyboard works wherever the iOS keyboard is enabled and can be added from the Settings menu.
Additionally, Tonality includes four AUv3 MIDI plugins that enhance its functionality. With the chord/scale identification tool, you can view the names of the piano chords/scales you play in real time and even record identified chords and export them as text or MIDI files. The chord pads feature allows you to add chords using various methods and drag and drop them between apps or plugin instances. The app offers full control over voicings, allowing you to edit individual notes' octaves and velocities. Different grid sizes are available, along with a strum bar for performing arpeggios or individual notes. MIDI triggers can be mapped with MIDI learn capability, and automation parameters are available for foot pedal control. The XY axes can be used for CC mapping, and multiple velocity sensitivity modes are supported. Custom presets can be saved and shared across hosts, and there is integration with Patchstorage for community sharing. Furthermore, pad sets can be exported as MIDI/XML files, and Scaler chord packs (XML) can be imported.
In terms of visualization, Tonality includes a grand staff feature that allows you to view MIDI input in real time. It also has the ability to detect chord names.
With Tonality, you have the flexibility to customize and create your own chords, scales, fingerings, ear training levels, and definitions. The app even provides set theory information for any pitch class set, including Forte numbers, pitch constellations, and Tonnetze. And if that wasn't enough, you can choose your desired playback instrument from any .sf2 file and opt for English or Solfège note naming.
Overview
Tonality: Music Theory is a Commercial software in the category Audio & Multimedia developed by Bryce Hostetler.
The latest version of Tonality: Music Theory is 10.1.1, released on 01/08/2024. It was initially added to our database on 01/08/2024.
Tonality: Music Theory runs on the following operating systems: iOS.
Users of Tonality: Music Theory gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage of tonality principles in music theory
- Clear explanations and examples that enhance understanding
- User-friendly interface that makes navigation easy
- Includes interactive elements to engage users
- Offers practical exercises for applying theoretical concepts
- Great resource for both beginners and advanced musicians
- Covers a wide range of musical styles and genres
Cons
- Limited audio examples; could benefit from more sound samples
- Some users may find the content too academic or dense
- Not a substitute for one-on-one instruction or mentorship
- Occasional typos or errors noted in examples and exercises
- Requires a commitment of time to fully understand complex topics

David Fischer
I am a technology writer for UpdateStar, covering software, security, and privacy as well as research and innovation in information security. I worked as an editor for German computer magazines for more than a decade before joining the UpdateStar team. With over a decade of editorial experience in the tech industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my current role at UpdateStar. At UpdateStar, I focus on the critical areas of software, security, and privacy, ensuring our readers stay informed about the latest developments and best practices.
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