Overview #
SongBrush is a digital tool that allows students to combine visual and musical ideas into one unique composition. Students paint their compositions with a pallet of instruments and watch them come to life!
Creating a New Project #
To create a new project, select Menu, then click New. Click Ok to create your new project. Create a Title, then click Ok when finished.
Navigating SongBrush #
Select any instrument from the instrument selection menu at the bottom of the screen to start a new composition. Each one comes with alternative options. Click the yellow triangle to display a list of alternate instruments, then click and drag along the staff to draw on your canvas.
Choose another instrument and draw on the staff to hear that instrument added to your composition if you’d like.
Click the Play button to listen to your composition. It will automatically loop. Press the repeat sign to disengage this setting. Click stop to stop playback at any time.
Each instrument also includes options to control the audio during playback. Click on the Speaker button to mute that instrument. The headphone button next to it will do the opposite, soloing that specific instrument and muting any others in your piece during playback.
Control Panel #
Let’s take a look at the other options in your control panel. To change the tempo, click on the tempo box. You will see four tempo options: Larghetto, Andante, Moderato, and Allegro.
There are six useful tools for editing and reviewing your composition. The paintbrush allows you to draw on the canvas area. This is the default action of your mouse, but you may need to reactivate it if you switch to another mode, like erase.
The Eraser erases all lines of a single instrument. Click on anywhere you see the corresponding color, and the notes will disappear. Click the paintbrush again to resume your painting.
Next to the paintbrush, you’ll find the grid button. This toggles on or off a visual guide showing the subdivided beats of each measure on the canvas.
Next to the grid button, you’ll see a speaker icon that will turn on or off all the audio for all parts during playback. This functionality also lights up the individual mute icons for each instrument.
Below the grid button, you’ll find an option to undo the last line drawn on the canvas.
Next, you’ll find an easy way to clear all lines from your piece.
Turn your Art into Music Notes! #
To turn your drawing into a musical composition, click on the eighth note at the bottom of the staff to turn your creation into musical notes!
Saving and Downloading your Project #
To save your composition, click Menu, then Save. To launch previously saved compositions, click Menu, then Open.
To download an Mp3 of your completed composition, go to Menu and click “Make Mp3.” A display box will appear saying that your Mp3 will be available to download. Click Ok. Next, go to Menu and select “Download.” You will see your saved MP3 in the list. Select it, and click download.
Teachers can create a SongBrush assignment in Resource Manager. Move Songbrush to a folder so you can convert it into an assignment. This is handy when teachers wish to combine Songbrush with other screens in an assignment.
