"The Feel Book" new play-along app

**rintincop** · 11-03-2025, 02:11 PM

**kris** · 11-03-2025, 02:27 PM

Very good!!!!

**Woodstove** · 11-04-2025, 08:34 AM

Sounds great. I’m getting it. As a singer I wish it could add lyrics.

**Freddy23** · 11-13-2025, 09:14 PM

I just downloaded this today.

There's 51 songs.

On a couple of the swing tunes, e.g. All of Me and Just Friends, the bass plays in two for all 5 choruses. That is, the bass never starts walking.

The app runs on my Intel-based Mac, something the Quartet app doesn't do.

**Freddy23** · 11-15-2025, 08:58 PM

I've now had a little more time playing with this app and have a few experiences to share.

In my previous post I stated that some swing tunes never break into a walking bass in the later choruses. This is still true but one of the tunes I mentioned was Just Friends and that one DOES break into a walking bass in the later choruses so my bad on that one.

Now and then the music will just stutter (like a CD that's too damaged to play). This has happened to me at least once per practice session. A few times it occurred when I was jumping to a later chorus but other times it occurred right at the start of the tune. Other times the cursor advanced from bar to bar but no music could be heard. The cure in either case is to back out and switch tunes. Coming back to the first tune later (i.e. a re-download of that tune ) works to fix it.

My Mac is a unit from 2019 running an Intel processor under Sequoia 15.5. This machine has no issues with Band-in-a-Box, Dorico, or the Elmedia player so go figure.

Probably the most concerning issue is that when you change the tempo or pitch of a tune those changes are lost when you exit the app. Upon re-entry all the tunes come back (i.e. are "reloaded") in their original tempo and/or pitch.

This is especially a problem with tempo because the tempo responds to the tempo control only one digit at a time. Want to go from the original 235 bpm to 135? You'll have to hold down the mouse button the entire time that the tempo display goes from 235 to 234 to 233 to 232.... etc.

I think this happens because the song (or songs) never reside on your machine. Upon running the app, each song you select is re-downloaded from their server or wherever. This has an important implication. If you lose your wifi or internet connection before running this app then THIS APP WILL NOT RUN. I tested this. I turned off my Wifi and tried to run the app. I got three error messages and then the Loading image (spinning circle) ran forever. No tunes.

So that's the news. I subscribed for 3 months so I'll continue playing with it and leave a post if anything changes. I plan to simply cancel the subscription if it's still a bumpy ride.

**kris** · 11-16-2025, 05:03 AM

This app is just developing and will be one of the best on the market.

**alltunes** · 11-16-2025, 11:41 AM

Are key changes possible?

**deacon Mark** · 11-16-2025, 01:55 PM

Where do you download this, and what does it cost, is it for a computer or iphone I am lost?

**Freddy23** · 11-16-2025, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by alltunes

Are key changes possible?

Yes, but they won't be saved.

**Freddy23** · 11-16-2025, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

Where do you download this, and what does it cost, is it for a computer or iphone I am lost?

There's a version for the Mac, a version for IOS devices (i.e. iPhone, iPad) and one for Android devices. You download it from the App store of your device. My subscription was $16 for 3 months but you can rent it for shorter or longer periods.

Their website is at THE FEEL BOOK

**Mick-7** · 11-16-2025, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by kris

This app is just developing and will be one of the best on the market.

Development should be done before you release a product, not afterwards.

**Freddy23** · 11-16-2025, 05:04 PM

I've since learned a little more about this limitation where you can't save the tempo and/or pitch changes you've made to a tune.

I had written that your changes went away when you exit the app. This is still true but it turns out that the changes go away even when you simply go to another song without exiting the app.

I thought that this was worth pointing out.

**Jonnyquest** · 11-27-2025, 02:30 AM

the app and all downloaded songs most definitely DO reside on your mac... no need the be online to use things you have downloaded...
regarding glitches, that is very strange! we haven't heard about this on mac. can you send us a support email and we can figure out why its happening?
[email protected]
jonathan kreisberg

**Jonnyquest** · 11-27-2025, 02:31 AM

yes!

**Jonnyquest** · 11-27-2025, 02:32 AM

try it...it's the best on the market.
jonathan kreisberg
the feel book

**Jonnyquest** · 11-27-2025, 02:35 AM

why is saving tempo and modulation a big concern? just curious? it's just a shed tool...we are always trying to improve, but had no idea ythat people would care about saving things when you could just dial it in again... we could consider tweaking it if more people complained... this is the first we have heard!
jonathan kreisberg

**Freddy23** · 11-27-2025, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jonnyquest

the app and all downloaded songs most definitely DO reside on your mac... no need the be online to use things you have downloaded...
regarding glitches, that is very strange! we haven't heard about this on mac. can you send us a support email and we can figure out why its happening?
[email protected]
jonathan kreisberg

Hi Johnny.

If you're not online you can't get the app started as it's unable to verify the subscription - so you do need to be online to use the songs you've downloaded. Now, if you lose the wifi once you're in the app you're OK for the songs you've already downloaded but you won't be able to download any new ones.

I had more of the music dropouts and skips this morning but, like I said in my above post, I'm running a 2019 iMac (Intel based) under Sequoia 15.5.

Your target market will have to decide if being unable to save tempo and pitch changes matters. Both BIAB and the Quartet app allow it and it's easy to see why. Your default tempo for All the Things You Are is 247 bpm. Yikes.

That said, the rhythm sections sound great.

**Jonnyquest** · 11-27-2025, 07:32 PM

Hey Freddy... ooh, that's a good point. the sign in/ verification is something that DOES require connection... (although as you mentioned, once you are logged in, you are fine to be offline). Let me work on a fix for that. it's an interesting subject.
Yeah no worries, haha...we have some slower tempos and easier stuff coming very soon. slow blues, slow all the things you are etc.
But yeah, you are the first guy that mentioned the saving tempos and keys for each tune. it would be very easy to make that a cache'd saved thing I think. Let me see if more folks request it! Thanks for the input! JK

**MMarc** · 11-28-2025, 10:55 AM

I agree. I am using this app and it s annoying not beeing able to save tempo and keys.

I play jazz with a singer and most of the time we change keys.

And a lot of your tunes have very fast tempo, 160 bpm and over. I need to practice at slower tempos

**starjasmine** · 11-28-2025, 04:53 PM

Haven't tried the app yet (will do soon!) but I agree that saving tempos and keys as a user pref would be a very useful feature.

It would also be nice to avoid having to authenticate every time the user opens the app. For example, when purchase is completed, the app could store a digital certificate with an expiration date.

PS - love your playing, JK. I have several of your discs and your "Offerings of Note" transcriptions. Went to your masterclass in SF years ago (hosted by your friend Bruno PB) and saw you play live in the area a couple years later. Please keep the great tunes coming and I hope that the Feel Book is a great success for you.