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FrequenTly Asked QuesTions

Continued from Home Page
​|Overview    |Songs    |Notation   |Copy, Paste & Undo   |Playback   |Settings   |Audio Output   
|Lead Sheets   |Chord Symbols   |
Repeats & Endings  |Song Format

​

OVERVIEW
How do I collaborate with other musicians?
Today you can collaborate with other musicians by sharing a song from your library in the MusicSketch format. When another musician downloads the app, they can listen to your music, view your notation, and immediately make changes to their copy of your song. Imagine changing a lead sheet at a gig, making a quick change, and sharing with your bandmates in seconds! 
What is the business model for MusicSketch?
The MusicSketch app is free for a limited number of songs, and can be extended for an unlimited number of songs with a monthly or annual subscription.
Can other people see my songs?
Your songs reside on your iPhone and are not accessible by anyone unless you explicitly share them.​
What is the privacy policy for the MusicSketch app?
Please refer to the Privacy Policy section in the app or read the full version here on the website. Link in the footer. 
WHAT IS THE ​DIBO!™?
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​The DiBo!™ is our unique and patent pending Direct Interface Board we developed to make it easy and fast to enter music notation. The circular buttons on the DiBo! map directly to the staff in either clef. The DiBo! currently supports 25 notes in either staff plus flats and sharps. This range was selected because it covers almost all music found in lead sheets while keeping the interface simple.​
HOW DOES THE PIANO KEYBOARD WORK?
​The keyboard covers the same range of notes as the DiBo!. The small circles on the keys represent notes within the key signature. To add accidentals switch to the DiBo! editor.
​WHAT DOES THE RABBIT BUTTON DO?
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The rabbit button activates a mode that immediately advances the staff cursor after entering a single note.
Why can't I ______?
The MusicSketch app is for creating music ideas on-the-go and lead sheets. While we support composition in two staves, and while you can input piano sheet music, we do not support advanced functionality like dynamics and sustain markers.
How are my songs saved?
Your songs are saved on your iPhone or iPad. If you delete MusicSketch from your device, your songs are deleted. Restore from a recent backup of your device to recover your songs. You can also export and save each song individually, then import your saved song files by opening them in MusicSketch after you install the app.

NOTATION
How do I enter a note on the staff?
Tap a button on the DiBo! or a key on the keyboard in the selected staff.
WHAT RANGE OF NOTES is COVERED by THE DIBO?
The DiBo! supports 25 notes in either staff plus their flats and sharps.
HOW DO I ADD AN ACCIDENTAL TO A NOTE?
Long press the DiBo! button for that note and then select an accidental from the pop-up menu. The keyboard uses a default accidental algorithm and you must return to the DiBo! to make adjustments.
HOW DO I CHANGE NOTE DURATION?
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Change note duration by tapping the minus or plus on either end of the Duration Button
 How do I create a Tie?
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Tap the Tie Button to create a tie between identical notes or chords.
How do I create a Run?
Runs are automatically generated between notes of less than a quarter-note duration within a measure.
How do I create a triplet?
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Highlight a note with a quarter note or less duration and then tap the triplet button. Each note of the triplet can then be edited.
How do I view both staves at the same time while editing a measure?
Pull down on the handle above the DiBo! or keyboard to show both measures.
How do I add notes above and below the staff?
Tap the small note buttons above and below the DiBo! or swipe up and down on the DiBo!.

PLAYBACK
How do I play a song?
        Tap the play button in the navigation bar. In the piano score format, tap and hold to select which staff to play.
How does Loop Mode work?
Loop mode is available in the Song view and is activated by the Loop Mode button in the navigation bar. In loop mode select any note in a measure by tapping that note (or rest). Then tap a second note to define a range of notes for looping; this range will be highlighted. To redefine the range of selected notes and/or measures, tap any note. Tap the Loop Mode button again to exit loop mode.
Can I play a single measure only?
The visible measure can be played back by tapping on the play button when editing a measure. To play both staves, pull down on the handle above the DiBo! or keyboard to show both staves.

LEAD SHEETS
How do I create a new lead sheet?
When you create a new song, tap the Lead Sheet option at the top of the screen.
How do I convert a piano score to a Lead Sheet?
Select song settings and tap the Lead Sheet option at the top of the screen.
What is a lead sheet or Bass chart?
These are either G or F clef staves of a song.
Why are slashes automatically entered in Lead Sheets?
Slashes are placeholders on the beat. The DiBo! or keyboard can overwrite them.

REPEATS & ENDINGS
How do I add a repeat?
Hold down a measure while viewing a song, and select Add New Repeat from the pop-up menu.
How do I add an ending?
Add a New Repeat first, and then select an ending. 
How do I remove a repeat?
Tap and hold on a measure within the repeated set of measures, and select Remove Repeat from the pop-up window. 

SONGS
How do I share a SONG?
Swipe the song in the Song List to the right, or tap the share button in the floating toolbar of a song. 
What export formats are supported?
M4A Audio, PDF, MIDI, MusicXML, and our proprietary MusicSketch format for collaboration.
How do I delete a song?
Swipe the song in the Songs list to the left, and then tap Trash.​
How can I recover a song that's been deleted?
Tap the Trash button at the bottom of the Songs list, and then tap the song to recover it. Deleted songs remain in the trash for 30 days.​
What song formats can I import?
Only the MusicSketch file format can be imported.
How do I import a song?
When sent a MusicSketch song, tap on the song file and select the MusicSketch app from the share sheet. It will appear in the imported song section of the Song list.
What is the difference between a Demo Song and an Accompaniment?
A Demo Song is an off-copyright song. Accompaniments are starting points to stimulate new music ideas.
Why can't I edit Demo Songs or Accompaniments?
Only songs in the My Songs section can be edited. To edit a Demo Song or Accompaniment, duplicate it first to My Songs. 
Is there a way to undo my last song change?
Shake your iPhone and select undo.

COPY, PASTE & UNDO
How do I copy notes?
Long press the note (or chord) and select Copy from the pop-up menu. Then long press at any location and tap Paste from the pop-up menu.
How do I copy measures?
Long press the measure when viewing a song and select the preferred copy option from the pop-up menu. Then long press on another measure and select Paste from the pop-up menu.
How do I copy both staves?
In the Piano Score format, long press the grand measure and select Copy from the menu.
Is there a way to undo my last notation change?
Shake the iPhone and tap undo.

SETTINGS
How do I access app settings?
App settings are accessible by tapping the gear button in the Song List navigation bar.
How do I access song settings?
Song settings are accessible by tapping the slider button in the floating toolbar of a song.

AUDIO OUTPUT
How do I export audio?
You can create and export M4A Audio files or MIDI files by swiping a song title to the right from the song list or selecting the share button when viewing a song. Keep in mind that the audio conversion process may take longer than you expect!

CHORDS
How do I add a chord symbol?
Tap the Chords button while editing a measure, select a chord location, and then construct a chord using the Chord Picker wheel.
How do I construct a chord symbol?
First select the root note from the Chord Picker wheel and then add the quality, extensions, and altered notes.
How do I add extensions to a chord symbol?
After creating a 7th chord, the next column includes options for selecting either a flat (- sign), a sharp (+ sign), or a natural (♮ sign). After selecting the first extension, a second extension can be added.
Why are chord symbols limited to two extensions?
Most lead sheet chord symbols have only two extensions.

SONG FORMAT
Piano Score
Select Piano Score in song settings to create a song with both staves
Lead Sheet
Select Lead Sheet in song settings to create a song with the Treble Clef only.
Bass Chart
Select Bass Chart in song settings to create a song with the Bass Chart only.
How do I adjust the song format?
Go to song settings and adjust the the segmented control to preferred format. The song format may also be adjusted when exported
What song formats can I import?
Only the MusicSketch file format can be imported.
How do I import a song?
When sent a MusicSketch song, tap on the song file and select the MusicSketch app from the share sheet. It will appear in the imported song section of the Song list.
What is th difference between a Demo Song and an Accompaniment?
A Demo Song is an off-copyright song. Accompaniments are starting points to stimulate new music ideas.
Why can't I edit Demo Songs or Accompaniments?
Only songs in the My Songs section can be edited. To edit a Demo Song or Accompaniment, duplicate it first to My Songs. 
Is there a way to undo my last song change?
Shake your iPhone and select undo.

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