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tuneblocks.com
Blocks  

There are three types of blocks in Impromptu:

Melody Blocks Super Blocks Percussion Blocks
Tuneblocks Super Blocks Drum Blocks Pattern Blocks
     

Tuneblocks

 

Melodies can be meaningfully segmented into what are usually called "phrases," "figures," or "motives." In Impromptu, these segments are called " Tuneblocks ." Each Tuneblock is a meaningful structural element of a particular tune. A Tuneblock typically contains from four to eight notes. In Impromptu, sets of Tuneblocks are kept in one file and are used for reconstructing a tune or making a new one. Tuneblocks files are accessed by selecting a file named in the Catalog that appears when the Tuneblocks Playroom is selected.

 

Super Blocks

 

Multiple Tuneblocks can be combined to create a Super Block: A Super Block is essentially a Tuneblock but it is made up of and plays a small group of single Tuneblocks. Tuneblocks files used for reconstructing a tune include Super Blocks in the Blocks Area One of these Super Blocks, made up of individual Tuneblocks, plays the whole tune to be reconstructed, while others play the FirstPart and SecondPart (FP; SP) of the tune. Super Blocks are marked with an orange frame.

You can view the contents of a Super Block by clicking on it while holding down the control key. (On windows, use the alt key and the left mouse button.)

Super Blocks are created with the Block-It command.

 

Drum Blocks

 

There are two kinds of Drum Blocks -- Drumblocks and Pattern Blocks. Both kinds of Blocks are played by percussion instruments selected by the user -- conga, woodblock, bongo, etc. Sets of Percussion Blocks together with one or more tuneblocks are in files listed in the Catalog when the Drummer Playroom is selected.

A Drumblock plays a single duration and the number on the drumblock indicates that duration. The number on a drumblock indicates its duration. Durations of Drumblocks are proportional to one another: a series of 3-Blocks played by a percussion instrument goes twice as fast as a series of 6-Blocks. Drumblocks can be dragged into the Playroom Area . Single digit Drumblocks can also be entered into the Playroom by placing the cursor on the selected voice in the Playroom and typing the duration number.

Pattern Blocks

 

Pattern Blocks play a series of varied durations that together create a rhythm pattern. Pattern Blocks and Drumblocks can be used to make percussion pieces or percussion accompaniments to tunes.

 

 
 
 

 






   
Impromptu 2.0 beta 1 © 2004 Jeanne Bamberger