The Case for Going Paperless
For years, music binders have been the standard. They work, but they bring clutter, paper costs, and constant printing headaches. Moving to digital changes that. A single device can carry your entire worship music library anywhere!
Size matters. A sheet of paper is about 8.5 x 11 inches, which makes many tablets feel cramped. The surprise is that an 11–12 inch tablet, once you crop margins, is almost the same scale as paper. Go larger than that and the price spikes sharply. Staying in the 11–12 range gives a near-paper experience without breaking the budget.
Choosing the Right Tablet and Accessories
When picking a tablet, most major brands like Lenovo or Samsung have options that work fine for music. You don’t need the most expensive device on the market if it’s just for displaying charts. The “sweet spot” for screen size remains 11–12 inches. Look for good battery life and a reading or dark mode for long sessions. A stylus can help for marking notes, though not all tablets handle palm rejection equally.
Accessories make the system practical. A Bluetooth pedal is one of the best investments because it frees your hands from page turns. A reliable stand or mount is essential so the tablet stays secure during rehearsal or service. A pen is useful for quick changes, but again, only if the screen handles handwriting well.
Software and Workflow
Several apps exist specifically for musicians. Programs like MobileSheets or Music Stand handle chord charts and sheet music smoothly. They crop margins automatically, allow for zooming, and keep files organized. They don’t need a high-performance device since most are essentially PDF readers with extras.
Digitizing charts takes effort up front, but once they’re loaded, the library is always at your fingertips. Many apps save zoom levels, so a singer on a smaller tablet can keep text large without affecting the file for others.
There’s ongoing debate about single-page versus two-page view. A single page is simpler, less costly, and usually enough. If you want two pages, turning the tablet horizontally can work, though it’s not perfect. Some even use two tablets, but the cost and logistics add up.
Final Thoughts
Going paperless doesn’t demand the newest or largest gear. An affordable 11–12 inch tablet works for most needs, especially with a page-turning pedal. Apps are reliable and lightweight, and creative setups with monitors or TVs can stretch the budget further. Every worship team can take steps toward digital without losing focus on the main thing: leading people well.
