MelodEar-Quick start Guide

QUICK START GUIDE minimum requirements

To use melodEar you need at least ios 13 and Wired Ear phones, compatible with your device or the required adaptator if necessary.

You can still use airpods but we do recommand you to use wired earphones to get optimum comfort and performances, specially regarding the pitch recognition feature.

WORKFLOW AND QUICK START GUIDE

THE LIBRARY

MelodEar opens on your last session by default. Just go to the library the library if you need to :

. open one of your previously created songs,
. open a pre-filled jazz standard or copy it to ‘My songs’ if you want to edit and personalize it, . work on a master transcription,
. or create a new song

When you create a song, first give it a name, and clic ‘done’ to go to the Edit window. THE EDIT WINDOW

What we call a song in MelodEar is just a chord progression with a melodic mode for each chord.

The edit window operates in 2 sections :

-the chord progression section allowing to edit your chord progression on a larger scale -the chord and mode section to edit your chords and select your modes

These 2 sections are on the same page in ipad, and on 2 different pages on iphone. By default you have one chord appearing , C major seven, that you can modify.

In the chord and mode section you will enter each chord’s :
duration…note….and type. Then select a melodic mode among the suggestions. All the suggested modes are technically compatible, because they include all the notes of the chord. So this is more about what color you prefer. You can press both the chord and the mode’s button to hear how they match and which mode you prefer to use.

if your chord is not on the list, use the chord help menu Now let’s add the next chord in your progression.

If you want the next chord in the same bar, stay in the chord and mode section and use the (+)button ……or the copy button.

If you want the next chord in a new bar, go to the chord progression section and use the + or copy button from there.
The plus button add a new by default chord.
The copy button copies the currently selected chord to the end of your chord progression.

If you need to remove any chord in your progression, just do a longer press to drag and drop it.

The zone selection button here allows you to select a long section pressing on the 1st and the last chord of the zone.

From there you can transpose the whole zone by semi-tones, up or down, and change from sharp to flat according to the key of the tune.

Once you’re done, access the Session window to get started. THE SESSION WINDOW

This window displays the chord progression from left to right.
Each chord is playable manually.
You can also skip from one chord to the next with a unic button, or auto-play the song at a chosen BPM.

The related melodic mode appears above each chord, numbered on a vertical graduated scale by semi-tone. It shows you the intervals of the mode with complete precision, from lower notes….. to higher notes. Every note of the mode is playable.

The modes are set according to their real height appearing on the left column, which shows you the relative position of the modes and the multiple melodic passages from one mode to the next.

The looper here allows you to focus on a specific part of your song.

The pitch detection here always displays the note you sing. In auto-play mode it only works when plugging earphones.

The last column is here to visually transition back to the begining of your song.

Let’s now have a look at the settings !

SETTINGS

. The autoscroll is what allows the pitch detection to follow whatever you’re singing, and it’s important to set it with the cursor.

. the fluide side of the cursor will deliver a very responsive scroll, and the stable side a slower but stable responsivity of the scroll. Adjust it to your own comfort and to the sound environment, and to your device to get the best compromise.

You have 2 types of pitch detection, that you can choose in the settings :

. The tight pitch & chromatic practice is very accurate and a bit slower, and allows chromatisms. It’s great to ground the basis for starters.

.The fast diatonic practice offers a quicker response and a slight error margin which gives a fluent flow for quicker phrasing once you get more advanced.

On top of that , you have the fine tuner here that shows you exactly where you are on the boarder of the note, so you can work on your pitch.

In the settings you can also enter your voice register and peronalize your audio mix.

The ‘ allow tuner during autoplay button’ is just for specific situations. For instance, if your earphones are not recognized by your device, or if you use a specific sound system with speakers or else. Again though, we do recommand the use of wired earphones.

Now you can enjoy your 1st session with MelodEar !