Michael Apfel, riff.quest founder. Last checked August 2026.
Tools worth using alongside Riff Quest
Riff Quest handles session tracking, practice plans, and scoring, but it won't give you a tab, slow a recording down for ear training, or generate a backing track. These are the 22tools I use for that instead, grouped by what you'd reach for them to do. Every entry is marked free, freemium, or paid, and anything leaning on a model to do the work carries an AI badge.
Tabs, Chords & Notation
The largest tab and chord database on the web, built and moderated by the community.
Tab database with synced audio playback: mute or solo individual tracks, slow down the tempo, and follow along as it plays.
Tab editor and player. Guitar Pro 8 lets you add an audio track synced to the tab, then slow it down, speed it up, or change its pitch without losing sync.
Free notation and tab editor for writing and editing your own scores from scratch.
Open-source tab editor that reads and writes Guitar Pro files, handy for converting a MuseScore or MIDI file into a GP file to import into Riff Quest.
Chord progression generator: fingering diagrams, groove controls, scale diagrams, and practice-ready rhythm patterns in one screen.
Fretboard, Scales & Theory
Metronome & Rhythm
A free online metronome: tempo (BPM), time signature, lots of rhythm patterns, mouse, keyboard, and touch control.
A simple online metronome with no clutter: tempo and time signature, straight to the point.
An open-source polyrhythm generator for practice divisions like 13:7, 3:4:5, or any other split.
A rhythm and music theory training platform with score tracking; teachers can create exercises for students. Free and mobile-friendly.
Tom Quayle's app for rhythm training.
Backing Tracks & Stem Separation
Removes the guitar from a recording and turns it into a backing track. Also changes tempo, pitch, and more.
A collection of backing tracks recorded by real musicians, with control over each individual stem.
Splits a recording into vocals and instruments, and extracts lyrics from audio. Free, though an account speeds up processing.
Slow-Down & Ear Transcription
Guided Practice
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