How can I get scores?
On the Home screen you will find the «Library» section where you can download the available scores. An icon displayed in front of the title will indicate if the score is already part of your collection.
Can I upload my own socres?
Yes, you can upload your own scores by following these instructions:
- If your score has been edited in a notation software (Sibelius, Finale…), export it to MusicXML format.
- Once you have the score in this file format, upload it to your cloud service (Dropbox, OneDrive…) or send it to your email.
- Then, tap and hold on the file by choosig the option «Open with….», select BlackBinder and you will find your score in «My scores» of your BlackBinder´s Home page (Recommended). Open the score and use the editing tools to correct any errors that may have occurred after the conversion.
- If you have a score in PDF format, upload it to your cloud or send it to your email and follow the same procedure described in the previous point.
- If you have a score on paper, use the «Scan» button on the BlackBinder´s Home page to take a picture of it. Take care of the frame and the lighting to obtain a better result. The App will open the photographed score. Then follow the same procedure described in the previous points.
Where are my scores stored?
Once downloaded from the Library or uploaded by the user, the scores will be stored in the «My scores» section of the BlackBinder´s Home page.
By clicking on the score options you can create User folders and assign scores to them. The scores assigned to these folders will remain in the «My scores» section and will be personal content of your score collection. Deleting a score from a User folder (or even deleting the entire User folder) does not delete the score from the “My scores” list. You should explicitly delete the score from “My scores” whenever you really want to delete a score from your collection.
Which are the steps to follow for reading a score?
To read a score follow the steps below:
- Download from the “Library” or upload your own score to BlackBinder.
- From «My scores», click and open the score.
- Note the reference pulse figure (bottom right). If you feel more comfortable, change the reference figure by taping on it.
- Feel your interpretation pulse and then tap the screen rhythmically. You will see that, in this way, you can change the value of the Tempo (bottom right).
- Press «Start» and the score will start to move according to the Tempo and the reference figure you have set.
Remember to always read the music approximately at the middle of the screen. The App is reading the music where the little line in the left edge of the screen is located.
Can I create my own score lists?
By clicking on the score options you can create User folders and assign scores to them. The scores assigned to these folders will remain in the «My scores» list and will be personal content of your score collection. Deleting a score from a User folder (or even deleting the entire User folder) does not delete the score from the “My scores” list. You should explicitly delete the score from “My scores” whenever you really want to delete a score from your collection.
How do I get my colleagues to use BlackBinder?
From the «Home», click on the «Profile» button and then on the «Send invitation» button. Enter an email address and invite your colleagues to use BlackBinder.
What if I can't find the score I'm looking for?
If you can’t find the score you are looking for in the «Library», send us a request by clicking on «Request score» in the «Home section» of BlackBinder. Our team will do their best to have it available as soon as possible.
Why does the score start in the middle of the screen?
For best results when reading BlackBinder scores, the reading of the systems should be started from the small reference line in the middle of the left edge of the screen. Given the display range there is no problem if the reading is slightly above or below this reference line.
Can I change the tempo of a score?
The tempo of a score can be set in two ways:
- Feeling your interpretation pulse and then taping the screen rhythmically. You will see that this changes the value of Tempo (bottom right).
- By clicking on the tempo icon and choosing the metric figure and tempo from the available table.
The tempo can be changed at any time by playing the screen rhythmically, even while the score is moving.
What do I have to do to turn the page?
BlackBinder has no page format so you don’t have any pages to turn.
BlackBinder is a continuous score that shows you at all times the music you must read. By reading it continuously you will be reproducing the work from beginning to end, including its possible repetition fragments.
What happens if there is a repeat passage?
The score is displayed in a continuous, unformatted, paginated form where repetition snippets are inserted so that the score does not have to be moved forward or backward abruptly at any time. The 1st and 2nd repetition characteristics boxes are replaced so that the bars are perfectly ordered sequentially.
Can I make annotations on the score?
With a Stylus or an Apple pencil (recommended) it is possible to make any kind of annotation on the score.
To make an annotation, you do not need to activate the annotation tool panel at the bottom edge of the screen. However, it will be necessary to click on the annotation icon whenever you want to change the color or the tool. You can also delete from this panel. If you want to erase everything, keep pressing on the eraser icon and you will have the option to do it.
Can I work with different layers of annotations?
There are 3 layers of annotations that you can work with separately for each of them. In the same way you will be able to establish which of them is visualized, being able to choose the visualization of the 3 layers together, any combination of them or even not to see any of them.
Can I correct typos without editing a score?
Among the highlighters you have one in white. This way you can paint to cover up the wrong element and then write on the white paint with the right tool. In case you want to recover the original material, you can use the eraser to delete both the annotated and the painted with the white highlighter.
Are the different formats of the texts recognized?
Yes they are. Each of the texts must be entered with its corresponding tool: Metronome, tempo, expression, dynamic, rehearsal letter or number, technique, etc. If you want to be sure that all texts will be appear as you want, you should modify some parameters in your notation software. For example, in Finale, you can select the font-style for tempo alteration, expression texts, technique texts, etc.
How should I enter each element?
The most important thing of digitization to BlackBinder is to introduce each of the elements with its corresponding tool, whether it is texts, articulation, etc…
Exporting
Can I edit a score in BlackBinder?
User uploaded scores can be edited and corrected with the editing tools.
In order to preserve the possible copyright of the scores from the Library, they may not be editet under any circumstances.
To edit, click on the «Edit» button at the bottom edge of an open score and use the avaliable tools. For the selection of the musical elements to be edited it is essential to have an Apple pencil.
Are the different formats of the texts recognized?
Yes they are. Each of the texts must be entered with its corresponding tool: Metronome, tempo, expression, dynamic, rehearsal letter or number, technique, etc. If you want to be sure that all texts will be appear as you want, you should modify some parameters in your notation software. For example, in Finale, you can select the font-style for tempo alteration, expression texts, technique texts, etc.
Are the different formats of the texts recognized?
Yes they are. Each of the texts must be entered with its corresponding tool: Metronome, tempo, expression, dynamic, rehearsal letter or number, technique, etc. If you want to be sure that all texts will be appear as you want, you should modify some parameters in your notation software. For example, in Finale, you can select the font-style for tempo alteration, expression texts, technique texts, etc.
Should I avoid writing slur and doing it in the app?
Yes you should, you never write ligatures to the air, better to create them with the editor of the app.
Is there any element that can give problems?
Yes, Gliss for example. To digitalize it is better to use slides, no gliss. Also, you can create them with the editor.
Is there a limit to the bars in a score that I want to use in Blackbinder?
Yes there is, our recommendation is not to create scores with a number of measures bigger than 250 or 300 measures. It could be a file too heavy to manipulate.
Can the repetitions give some problems?
Sometimes. When you digitize the score, you should not forget any of the repetitions bars, start or end.
Is the file information exported well?
Yes it is, if this data is well-entered in the File Information: Title, subtitle, instrument’s name, composer, arranger, etc. Anyway, this information can be directly into the app. Sometimes, Finale exports the same text for work title and movement title. You can modify this information with “Edit score settings” in home menu.
Are the different formats of the texts recognized?
Yes they are. Each of the texts must be entered with its corresponding tool: Metronome, tempo, expression, dynamic, rehearsal letter or number, technique, etc. If you want to be sure that all texts will be appear as you want, you should modify some parameters in your notation software. For example, in Finale, you can select the font-style for tempo alteration, expression texts, technique texts, etc.
Why does not the app recognize the slur well?
This is a problem in many case of the export to xml format. Simply you must digitize the score using the appropriate ligature, difference between slur and tie. This should not worry because you can delete and create slur in the editor.
Should I avoid writing slur and doing it in the app?
Yes you should, you never write ligatures to the air, better to create them with the editor of the app.
Is there any element that can give problems?
Yes, Gliss for example. To digitize it is better to use slides, no gliss. Also, you can create them with the editor.
Can the repetitions give some problems?
Sometimes. When you digitize the score, you should not forget any of the repetition bars, start or end.
Is there a limit to the bars in a score that I want to use in Blackbinder?
Yes there is, our recommendation is not to create scores with a number of measures bigger than 250 or 300 measures. It could be a file too heavy to manipulate.
Editing
How do I start editing my score?
By selecting the Edit button, you can choose the option that best suits you, either edit any element that already exists or you can even draw slur or lines.
What is the meaning of the letters placed on element's corners?
Tap on F to flip an element, you can see how orientation change on slurs, articulations or stems.
Tap on X to remove an element (only metronome mark and slurs at the moment).
Tap on E to add or edit a metronome mark.
How can I flip a stem?
You should select it and press Flip (F), at all stems as you wish. When you got it, save changes and the beams will adjust automatically.
How do you change the direction of a full set of sixteenth notes?
For the entire group direction change, Flip (F) must be made to all the stems of that group, when saving changes, all the stems and the beam that comes together them will be in the other direction.
How can you flip the slurs?
When selecting the slurs, two letters appear: X, down to the right, which eliminates the slur and F, up to the right that would cause it to change its direction.
How is a slur created?
To create an slur, you should select «Draw» within the editor’s frame. Place your Apple Pencil under the note where the slur begins and slide the pencil until the note on which the slur ends without release it. An orange curve appears. Draw much as you wish and save changes.
Can slur be created between different systems?
Yes, it is created in the same way as any other ligature, simply drag the drawing path without releasing it with the pencil until the final note.
What is the use of the Flip in the articulations?
This function has several actions. If it is a simple articulation, the symbol will be inverted (if it is not symmetric) and its position in the staff will change. If it is composed, the order of the symbols is inverted and its position in the staff will change. If it is a symbol like the upper
mordent it becomes a lower mordent.
What is the grid for?
It is simply a tool to be able to align texts or any of the elements.
Texts
At the moment leave this waiting for the new tools. (Expression, technique,
tempo, etc.)
How can I include a metronome text?
When entering the editor, you can select a complete measure with an E at the bottom left, if you press it, you can type any metronome text linked to that measure, even add a metronome mark with it.
How can I include a metronome mark?
When entering the editor, you can select a complete measure with an E at the bottom left, if you press it, you can type any metronome text linked to that measure, even add a metronome mark with it. If you do not need the text, with not putting it is enough.
Can I change the metronome mark that appears?
Yes, select the metronome mark, click on the E and change what is necessary in the box that appears.
The metronome mark always comes along with the text. How can I remove it?
Within the text box and metronome marks there are two possibilities, but if you do not want the equivalence with the speed, drag in the column of figures to a blank value, the metronome mark, will not appear when saving changes.
Dynamics
At the moment leave this waiting for the new tools.
Rehearsal Marks
At the moment leave this waiting for the new tools.
How do I change a note that is wrong?
If you select that wrong note, a red box with additional lines will come (up and down), you just have to drag that note and place it correctly.
Alterations
At the moment leave this waiting for the new tools.