Flat for Education updates, July 2023: Enhanced usability for touch devices, improved transposition by semi-tones, push notifcations and more!
Hello everyone,
As always, we want to keep you in the loop on our latest Flat for Education product updates:
- Enhanced usability for touch devices
- Error details while importing MusicMXL files
- Roman numerals input improvement
- Display rests inside the tab when the staff is hidden
- Improved transposition by semi-tones
Editor
Enhanced usability for touch devices
Thanks to your invaluable feedback coupled with our teammates' unwavering commitment, we made a significant update that enhances Flat's touch-based usability. This update includes:
- More precise note and range selections.
- Range selection now being initiated by a long press instead of a swipe movement.
- An improved, smoother anchor selection system.
- Scrolling through the score no longer cancels the range selection.
- The paste menu being accessed now by double tapping instead of a long touch or second touch.
- The paste menu is now located above the staff for consistency and easier access.
- Zooming now occurring from the pinched area.
- Easier updates of note pitch, done by clicking directly on the notehead and dragging the anchor to adjust the pitch.
💡 Go into more detail on using Flat with touch devices in our dedicated article.
Error details while importing MusicMXL files
When a MusicXML file fails to import, we now display specific reasons for the failure, especially for common issues.
This enhanced functionality not only enhances the user experience but also empowers users to troubleshoot their MusicXML file imports more effectively. By gaining insight into the exact reasons behind failed imports, users can proactively address the underlying issues and seamlessly continue their work with music notation.
⚡️ Remember, you can always reach out to our support team at hello@flat.io!
Roman numerals input improvement
What are Roman numerals?
Roman numerals are a way of writing music chords. They help identify chords in a key, no matter which notes are used. Musicians use Roman numerals to analyze the chord progressions in a piece of music.
💡 Learn how to use this feature in Flat here.
Recently we've made some improvements to enhance the usability of inputting Roman numerals. These include tooltips to provide keyboard shortcut information as well as navigation arrows to conveniently change the selected note while inputting Roman numerals.
Display rests inside the tab when the staff is hidden
Flat allows you to write customizable tablatures for any instrument! Learn all about this amazing feature here.
With this update, rests are now displayed within the tab even when the staff is hidden during printing or PDF export.
This enhancement ensures that the tabs accurately represent the presence of rests, maintaining consistency and clarity in the exported version.
💡 Learn how to export/print your tabs in this tutorial.
Improved transposition by semi-tones
Transposition in music is the process of changing the key of a piece by shifting all the notes up or down while maintaining the existing musical relationships. It allows musicians to perform music in different keys while preserving the original structure.
In Flat you can transpose your scores by instrument, interval, key and semi-tone. Learn how in this tutorial.
This month, we made significant improvements to the transposition feature by semi-tones. Users now have the flexibility to choose their preferred enharmonic option when transposing by semi-tones. This allows for more precise and customized transpositions, catering to individual preferences and musical requirements.
✨ By providing the option to select the desired enharmonic when transposing, we offer greater control and accuracy in achieving the desired musical outcome.
Edu features
Web Push Notifications
We've upgraded our website with push notification support for both desktop and mobile devices. These notifications include deep links that quickly direct users to specific categories, like score comments or teacher review pages.
🙌🏻 Stay informed and navigate effortlessly with this new feature.
Top articles
Here are some recent articles that will help you optimize your teaching routine and make the most out of Flat for Education:
✅ Customizing the Editor for More Effective Music Composition Assignments
✅ Hack for busy teachers… Sample Resources!
✅ Optimize your teaching routine with our Resource Library!
✅ Jazz Ensembles on Flat for Education
Feedback?
If you have any questions or suggestions for our product team, please reach out: edu@flat.io.
Have a wonderful day!