Studies Online tool to learn and practice fingerings and playing scales

[GarfieldCatUK]

I’ve developed a software teaching and practice aide for the saxophone which will run in a browser. It is designed to assist with learning and practicing fingerings and playing scales. You can use it on a PC, phone or tablet, perhaps placed on your music stand (not your PC J), or you can practice fingerings without actually having your saxophone to hand – fantastic for when you need to keep the noise down. It can be used to test your memory & knowledge of fingerings by randomly selecting a note and asking you to click the keys required to play it. It will tell you if you are right or wrong – it can even deal with alternative fingerings.

I wrote it because I couldn’t find anything like it online. It’s been a challenge developing it, although I am a software developer (retired). I’ve found it really useful, and I’ve shared it with a few people who play the sax, who have told me it’s a really great tool. It’s certainly not a replacement for lessons, but it’s a great tool for helping to learn and practice in between lessons. I’d like to make it freely available to anyone who wants it – my motivation is to create the best and most widely used saxophone teaching aide in the world … ambitious. It’s new, so there may be some teething issues, plus it’s not been tested on all devices / browsers yet. If you’d like to take a look https://zanyparrot.com/ZanySax/saxophone1.php and give me your feedback by clicking the smiley face, I’d be delighted. It’s best to give feedback through the tool, since it will send me the device and browser details which will be helpful in identifying and fixing issues. Please also post your comments on the forum.

 

[mizmar]

I'll look tomorrow.
But, on my 8'' tablet, it could be better!
Remember, lots of folks use 10''' or bigger tablets for digital sheets etc.

 

[Tenor Viol]

The key point at the moment is that it’s not device agnostic. On my iPad it occupies about quarter of screen. I’ll check Mac later

 

[ellinas]

Try to base your interface in a responsive html/css/js. It will make your life much easier 🙂

 

[nigeld]

It's not really intended for someone like me (I have already learnt the basic fingerings), so it's hard for me to tell how useful it is, but I imagine that it can be very helpful.

I tried it on my Mac/Safari and I have a couple of comments:
1. It appears as a small area in the top left corner of the window - looks like it was written for a phone. Even if it stays the same size, it would look better if it was in the middle of the window.
2. The whole thing moves sideways and down when I press a key
3. It allows the Bis fingering for Bb, but it does not recognise the "long Bb" fingerings (L1 + R1, L1 + R2, L1 + R3)
4. It doesn't recognise the alternative articulated C# fingering for G# (L1, L2, L3, C#)
5. It doesn't recognise the alternative F# fingering using the F# key (L1, L2, L3, R1, F#).

 

[Tenor Viol]

OK on the Mac (Safari) same issue as iPad - image is hard over to left of screen.

I'm not a web designer, but I think you can configure style sheets to recognise device types?

I think it would be helpful if the main keys were labelled L1, L2, L3, R1, R2, and R3 which aligns with how most charts and books refer to them.

 

[GarfieldCatUK]

Really grateful for all the comments so far. It's also being looked at on other forums, so getting lots of hits.

I will address the screen scaling and responsiveness, however, in terms of the usefulness and functionality, the feedback has been consistently positive which is very encouraging.

Thanks again. For anyone else who now looks, it's the usefulness and functionality that is of most interest as I will fix the issues regarding screen scaling and responsiveness.

Thanks everyone

 

[Polibon]

Really useful to a beginner; especially on a Samsung Android mobile phone - which sits comfortably on my music stand. I have provided direct feedback through the popup.

 

[GarfieldCatUK]

Hi Everyone, I've been digesting all the valuable feedback I've received since Christmas, and I''m well on with the latest version. It will include a wide range of scales, the ability to work with Midi and XML file formats, and play along, as the notes are highlighted on the score, along with the required fingerings. There will be a members areas, free of charge of course, where additional functions are provided. I've also been working on some experimental stuff which I'll include which involves Midi and Midi controllers since I've now purhcased a YDS 150, plus music authoring (I think that's the right expression). I will consider developing anything that might be useful, and which extends the use of the app beyond the begginer. Thanks for listening. The new app will be released early June. Cheers, Gary

 

[Dave Dunn]

I’ve developed a software teaching and practice aide for the saxophone which will run in a browser. It is designed to assist with learning and practicing fingerings and playing scales. You can use it on a PC, phone or tablet, perhaps placed on your music stand (not your PC J), or you can practice fingerings without actually having your saxophone to hand – fantastic for when you need to keep the noise down. It can be used to test your memory & knowledge of fingerings by randomly selecting a note and asking you to click the keys required to play it. It will tell you if you are right or wrong – it can even deal with alternative fingerings.

I wrote it because I couldn’t find anything like it online. It’s been a challenge developing it, although I am a software developer (retired). I’ve found it really useful, and I’ve shared it with a few people who play the sax, who have told me it’s a really great tool. It’s certainly not a replacement for lessons, but it’s a great tool for helping to learn and practice in between lessons. I’d like to make it freely available to anyone who wants it – my motivation is to create the best and most widely used saxophone teaching aide in the world … ambitious. It’s new, so there may be some teething issues, plus it’s not been tested on all devices / browsers yet. If you’d like to take a look https://zanyparrot.com/ZanySax/saxophone1.php and give me your feedback by clicking the smiley face, I’d be delighted. It’s best to give feedback through the tool, since it will send me the device and browser details which will be helpful in identifying and fixing issues. Please also post your comments on the forum.

I like it! It's full screen on my android phone, and responds well!
Also, no annoying American accent to put you off!!!

 

[GarfieldCatUK]

I like it! It's full screen on my android phone, and responds well!
Also, no annoying American accent to put you off!!!

Cheers Dave, I'll let you know when the latest version is coming - not long now 🙂