JamBuddy features, straight from the practice room.
Here’s a transparent look at what the Android app does today: live key and chord detection, Circle of Fifths, note visualizers, multi-instrument chord charts, a tunes library with ABC, lyrics, audio, looping, recording, and all the practice tools I wanted in one place.
Core Features
Focused on real‑time playing and learning—no accounts, no ads, and it works offline.
🎼 ABC Sheet Viewer & Editor
Type or paste ABC, or import your own collections—clean notation renders instantly. Transpose visually, toggle tablature layers (guitar, mandolin, ukulele), print PNGs, and keep charts side by side with lyrics and notes.
🎧 Live Key & Chord Detection
Jam with anything—phone speaker, Bluetooth, or room audio. The Circle of Fifths, Nashville numbers, chord confidence, and bass-aware detection stay in sync as you play.
🔮 Next‑Chord Prediction
See four likely chords, complete with the correct fingering chart for your chosen instrument. Lock a key, swap tunings, and keep the progression moving.
�️ Audio Player, Loops & Recorder
Attach your own tracks, slow them down without changing pitch, save named loops, and capture fresh ideas with the built-in recorder.
🎨 Customize Your Experience
Multiple themes & custom color schemes, adjustable interval colors, per-window focus layouts, and detection thresholds you can dial in for your room.
🧪 Why I built this
I’m a data scientist (business analytics background) who normally writes R and Python. I wanted to learn Kotlin and mandolin at the same time, so I started gluing together the tools I kept wishing existed while practicing.
I have twin boys, so most of this ships after bedtime or in the cracks between work and life. I’m also taking a bluegrass mandolin class at the Frank Hamilton School in Decatur, GA, which keeps exposing rough spots in my ear and timing.
I test JamBuddy at local jams: I’ll hear a tune I don’t know, pull a quick ABC via search, drop it into a collection, and lean on the Circle of Fifths panel when my ear blanks on the change.
No ads. No accounts. Just a one‑time purchase and incremental improvements when I can earn them. If you end up using it and something feels off, send a note—those usually become the next build.
How people are using JamBuddy right now
These are the workflows I lean on.
During a jam or rehearsal
Follow the song
Circle of Fifths, Nashville numbers, and note histogram update with every chord.
Plan the next change
See four likely next chords with fingerings for your instrument at a glance.
Quick retune
Pop over to the chromatic tuner without leaving the layout.
Capture an idea
Hit record, save the loop, and attach it to the tune for later.
At home practice & writing
Slow it down
Drop audio speed to 0.5x, set loop markers, and drill the hard bars.
Mark up tunes
Edit ABC, lyrics, PDFs, and notes in one place—no internet needed.
Dial the detector
Tweak confidence thresholds, bass boost, and rolling memory for your instrument.
Switch layouts
Save stacked or single-pane focus modes for mandolin, guitar, or teaching a friend.
App Interface Gallery
All Features
Chord Browser & Metronome
Browse chords and practice with the built-in metronome for perfect timing.
Instant Chord Charts
Instant chord charts and filtering for any detected chord.
Real-time Circle of Fifths
Live chord detection with Circle of Fifths visualization showing key relationships.
Comprehensive Chord Library
Browse chord fingerings for guitar, ukulele, mandolin and more with detailed charts.
Song Library Management
Organize your personal collection with lyrics, chords, and backing tracks.
Split Screen
Split screen or full screen to get you the info you want.
Key Lock
Lock in your key and stay in tune throughout your session.
Next Chord Predictions
Next chord predictions keep you ahead of the progression.
Metronome & Strum Patterns
Practice strum patterns and rhythms with the metronome.
Full Screen Lyrics
Full-screen lyrics display for easy reading while you play.
Lyrics & Recording
Record your performance while following along with lyrics.
Chromatic Tuner & Visual Metronome
Precise chromatic tuner with visual feedback and integrated metronome with customizable strum patterns.
Tunes, Chords & Lyrics
A few songs to fit the moment with tabs, chords, lyrics, sheet music and audio courtesy of Aunt Jan.
Sheet Music & Audio
Record audio and attach sheet music to your compositions.
Chord Editor
Edit chords and arrangements in your personal song manager.
Song List Manager
Organize and manage your personal song collection.
Lyrics Editor
Edit lyrics and synchronize them with your chords.
Record Audio
Record audio directly into your song manager.
Song Details Editor
Edit song details and metadata for every tune.
Storage Manager
Easily manage storage for your growing song library.
Ukulele Support
Support for guitar, bass, ukulele, baratone ukulele and mandolin, so far.
Ready to Jam Smarter?
Grab JamBuddy and start seeing chords in real time on your favorite instruments.
Available now • Android 12.0+ • One-time purchase