Tools
Tools in BandMaster are typically available via application toolbar and application menus with the exception of the songform edit tools which are available in the songform toolbar as well as per application menu.Using the application menu tools can be located centrally under the Song menu (s.b.). Like most everything in BandMaster actions performed with tools are undoable where applicable.
Metronome Mode
In Metronome Mode (type m to toggle) BandMaster's audio output changes to metronome sounds. There are different sounds for the first beat of each chorus, the first beat of each measure and for regular beats. These sounds can be customized in Preferences. A song's title will be appended with "[Metronome]" when Metronome Mode is engaged and all three instrument tracks in BandMaster's timeline will be muted.
Songform Tools
The Insert Beat, Insert Measure and Delete Selection tools are described in detail in the Songform Toolbar section of this manual and listed here for completeness.
Time Signature
The time signature tool is best be used at the beginning of constructing a song to avoid a lot of editing later on. A time signature change affects the entire song. The tool uses brute force to realign beats and will often leave an incomplete measure at the end of a form. Two measures of 4/4:
BMaj7 / D9 /
GMaj7 / Bb9 /
become two measures plus an extra 2 beats in 3/4:
BMaj7 / D9
D9 GMaj7 /
Bb9 /
or 1 measure plus 3 extra beats in 5/4:
BMaj7 / D9 / GMaj7
GMaj7 Bb9 /
Note: The time signature toolbar icon always reflects the current time signature and updates to any changes.
Transpose
The transposition tool can be used to quickly transpose an entire song or a selection of it. The slider operates on semitones. Note the optional Selection check box. CHeck "Selection Only" in cases where only a selection in the chord grid needs to be transposed. A very quick way to construct a modal piece like Impressions using this tool for example would be:
- open a 32 measure empty form template
- select all (cmd-a) and assign a m9 chord
- select bridge part and transpose it down a semitone.
Replace
Like the Transposition tool the Replace tool can operate on an entire songform or only on a selection. It replaces any occurance of the content of the left side popup (C) with the content of the right side popup (i.e. as seen in the graphic above - all instances of C will become Db.)
The Replace tool also allows to replace qualifiers of chords. This works exactly the same way. In the graphic above - all instances of Maj will be replaced with mb6. The Replace tool is uniquely suited for trying different extensions in specific chords by replacing V7 chords with V9 or V13 chords for example.
Note: The term qualifier in BandMaster refers to the second part of a chord symbol like the Maj in CMaj. A chord symbol is thus constructed of Root+Qualifier.
Text Entry
The Text Entry tool allows to completely bypass the graphical interface in BandMaster and edit songforms directly. Great attention must be paid to the syntax when using this tool. One chord symbol (root+qualifier with no spaces) plus 1 space character make up one beat. To indicate a repeat beat a backward slash is substituted for the chord symbol. To indicate a complete measure a line return is needed. In case you wondered - the above example shows the beginning of Giant Steps in 5/4).
The "A" button in the bottom left corner of the tool window opens up the system's font manager. Font choices made here are saved in BandMaster's preferences.
Annotations
The Annotations tool is designed to enter song's title, attribution and possibly copyright note. Annotations are visible in page view and any print output of that view.
Note: The BPM indication is generated automatically.
Adding the line "Copyright ® 1960, John Coltrane" in the remarks section of the Annotations tool then renders the following document footer:
