02-17-2025, 01:10 AM
I use annotations in MobileSheets for writing chord symbols and sometimes lyrics over graphical i.e. PDF or photo based sheet music provided to me for cover gigs. There are two reasons for the annotations: (1) to get the chord symbols (or lyrics) large enough to actually see, and (2) to change the arrangements for the particular gig.
Using text entry is nice for this, but it's quite slow to tap/click in the locations and the symbols end up in random places vertically, and I have to manually move them one by one to get them cleanly aligned. I've also tried using a single text line per staff, separating the chords with spaces, and it of course keeps the chord symbols vertically aligned, but the spacing is then tied to the font size and rendering logic: changing between portrait/landscape orientation places the symbols in different locations relateive to the notes, not to mention changing the font size, which messes up the whole thing completely.
So, what I'd like is, either an "align selected symbols" function, or alternatively a special text entry mode, where (1) entering a space would finish writing the text element, (2) there would be a cursor/caret/pointer that moves to the right, (3) starting to enter non-whitespace would start a new text element.
Writing lyrics could work similarly, with the added feature that a hyphen would also finish the text element.
I have similar feature ideas along the same lines, for writing short snippets of notation, to add, say, drum rhythms or instrumental melody lines, to existing graphical sheet music i.e. JPEG, PDF, etc. Sort of like adding an embedded ABC snippet, in a .cho file, but much faster and without the ABC syntax geekery. Just simple no-nonsense annotations that can be added in a band rehearsal in a matter of seconds, not minutes, and definitely no "coding" and other computer bureaucracy. Stuff you can do with paper and pencil notation.
Using text entry is nice for this, but it's quite slow to tap/click in the locations and the symbols end up in random places vertically, and I have to manually move them one by one to get them cleanly aligned. I've also tried using a single text line per staff, separating the chords with spaces, and it of course keeps the chord symbols vertically aligned, but the spacing is then tied to the font size and rendering logic: changing between portrait/landscape orientation places the symbols in different locations relateive to the notes, not to mention changing the font size, which messes up the whole thing completely.
So, what I'd like is, either an "align selected symbols" function, or alternatively a special text entry mode, where (1) entering a space would finish writing the text element, (2) there would be a cursor/caret/pointer that moves to the right, (3) starting to enter non-whitespace would start a new text element.
Writing lyrics could work similarly, with the added feature that a hyphen would also finish the text element.
I have similar feature ideas along the same lines, for writing short snippets of notation, to add, say, drum rhythms or instrumental melody lines, to existing graphical sheet music i.e. JPEG, PDF, etc. Sort of like adding an embedded ABC snippet, in a .cho file, but much faster and without the ABC syntax geekery. Just simple no-nonsense annotations that can be added in a band rehearsal in a matter of seconds, not minutes, and definitely no "coding" and other computer bureaucracy. Stuff you can do with paper and pencil notation.
