! TURN ON TURBO MODE TO USE ! If you play violin, viola, or cello, this tool is for you!! ~ READ BELOW to Learn the Key-Binds ~ << Tool function & settings controls: >> j = toggle arco/pizz. h = metronome controls (single tap to stop, quick double tap to resume, & tap twice at a desired tempo to set new tempo) left/right arrows = change scale key (Ex: 1 for C major, 2 for Bb major, 3 for B major ... 12 for Cb major) up/down arrows = change pitch range by octaves k/l = adjust reverb for instrument & recording playback z/x = change lowest open string (instrument's base) pitch (Ex: 0 for C, 1 for Db, 2 for D ... 11 for Cb) << Default RIGHT hand controls: >> y = lowest string u = 2nd string i = 3rd string o = highest string (m = sharpen note) (space = flatten note) << Default LEFT hand controls: >> b = sharpen note (hold with thumb) v = flatten note (hold with thumb) t = 1st finger (pointer) r = 2nd finger (middle) e = 3rd finger (ring) w = 4th finger (pinky) q = 4th finger extension g through a is the same as above for a higher string. << Detached keyboard RIGHT HAND controls >> (Press strings with pointer finger or thumb) / = lowest string ; = 2nd string p = 3rd string 0 = 4th string enter = flatten note (thumb) \ = sharpen note (thumb) << Detached keyboard LEFT hand controls >> 1 = 1st finger 2 = 2nd finger ...etc. up to key 9 (or 4th finger at 6th pos.) NOTE: "detached keyboard" refers to a wired keyboard or a usb keyboard with dongle for fast responsibility. A Bluetooth keyboard is highly not recommended.
[update v0.3] Still under development. Currently you can only play the instrument and record/listen. Altered and refined from my old Virtual Plucking Instrument: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1086142387/ CAPABILITIES: > the tool can be set to simulate a cello, viola, or violin > higher fingers pressed down on left hand will prioritize over lower fingers pressed down. When a higher finger is lifted, the lower finger will auto-play. > on arco mode, slurs can be played by holding a string button down through note changes by the left hand. > chords can be played similarly to strumming strings > trills and octaves can be played. > auto-transposition into preset keys (which means no need to flatten/sharpen notes within that key signature) > recording to an increment of 40 pitches per second. LIMITATIONS: > the interval between strings is fixed to be fifths. This means string bass, ukulele, guitar, etc. with strings tuned in fourths cannot be accurately simulated. > Some instruments in arco mode may only work at certain reverb ranges or may not be audible at all. > some instruments cannot play very high or low pitch. > two strings cannot be bowed simultaneously unlike the actual physical instruments. HOW DOES THIS SYNTH WORK? > To emulate the sound of bowed strings in arco mode, unique properties in Scratch's music blocks extension are used. Fundamentally, a note block set to play for a millisecond is repeatedly activated until no "strings" are pressed. The individual separate notes are too short for the human ear to distinguish, forming the illusion of a continuous, "bowed" sound. IMPROVEMENTS FROM OLD PLUCKING TOOL > can now have bowed sound. This allows for much wider variety of articulation. > recording function now includes metronome beats. > lowest open string (base note of instrument) can be set to any note of 12-tone equal temperament scale. FINGER SETTINGS for classical strings: > Viola (default): lowest open at 0, octave at 0. > Violin: lowest open at 7, octave at 0. > Cello: lowest open at 0, octave at -1. SUGGESTED SOUND SETTING COMBOS: > Normal pianos: lowest open at any, octave at any, instrument at 1 or 2, reverb at any, pizz mode. > Electric strings (default, bowed guitar): lowest open at any, octave at any, instrument at 5, reverb at 4+, arco mode. > Normal guitars: lowest open at any, octave at any except 2, instrument at 4 or 5, reverb at any, pizz mode. > String pluck (harp): lowest open at any, octave at 0, instrument at 6, reverb at 5 or more based on dryness preference, pizz mode. > Double (Contra-) Bass (inaccurate tone in higher registers): lowest open at 0 (C open for 5-string ones) or 4 (E open for normal ones), octave at -2, instrument at 18, reverb between 4 &12 depending on resonance preference and how much buzz your speaker can avoid. > Airy flute (with C foot key): lowest open at 6, octave at 0, instrument at 13, reverb between 8 &16 depending on tempo, taper, preferred resonance, arco mode. > Oboe (but high range tone inaccurate): lowest open at 5, octave at 0, instrument at 12, reverb between 8 & 12 depending on tempo. > Clarinet (inaccurate tone): lowest open at 2, octave at 0, instrument at 14, reverb between 8 & 16 based on tempo, arco mode. > Bassoon: Lowest open at 0, octave at -1, instrument at 14, reverb between 10 & 12 depending on how much buzz your speaker can avoid. > High brass (horn): lowest open at 6, octave at 0, instrument at 14, reverb between 10 & 12 based on tempo, arco mode. > Low brass (tuba): lowest open at 1, octave at -2, instrument at 14, reverb between 10 & 12 based on how much buzz your speaker can avoid. > Mock eight-bit synth: lowest open at any, octave at 1, instrument at 20, reverb between 5 & 10 based on preference, arco mode. > Synth pluck: lowest open at any, octave at any, instrument at 21, reverb between 10 & 30 based on tempo, pizz mode. > Sustained synth bass: lowest open at any, octave at -2, instrument at 11, reverb at 12+, arco mode.
