Why to Use Espressivo?
Users of music notation programs often appreciate the built-in sound capabilities of such programs to control their written scores and to get an impression of how they might sound in reality. To get the most realistic impression, users tend to add detailed instructions about tempo variations and dynamics.
The screenshot above shows a section of a score decorated with numerous metronome markings. Such additional markings greatly improve the quality of music reproduction, yet they are static and do not allow a fine-grained control a musician would apply when playing a musical instrument.
This is exactly where the Espressivo application comes into play. It enables a user to dynamically control the tempo of a piece of music while it is playing. It can achieve this with the help of a common gamepad as it is used with computer games. Additionally, a gamepad also enables to control the velocity and articulation of notes and can be selectively applied to musical voices.
Use the application to train your ear, accompany a vocalist or as a way to actively listen to music and to create your own interpretations.
Who Might Use Espressivo?
Anyone with interest in music might use Espressivo, but basic knowledge about computers, peripheral devices and MIDI is advantageous. Potential users might be:
- Music students and instrumentalists to learn new pieces of music
- Vocalists and choir members missing a correpetitor
- Music arrangers and composers to get a realistic impression of their work
- Music producers to create recordings “con espressione” from music scores
- Music lovers wishing to more actively listen to music and create interpretations of their own
Espressivo also supports musical interaction as more than one gamepad player may play together.
Espressivo Documentation
If you just start using the Espressivo app and you want to learn how to use a gamepad for your musical performance, the best way is to start with the step by step instructions.
Link to the step by step instructions
Note that once you have started the application, the documentation is also available from within the program.
Although Espressivo for macOS and for iOS are build from the same code base. their user interfaces differ slightly. Select below the documentation for the platform you are using:
If you do not haven a gamepad or you prefer using your iPhone to control the performance of the Espressivo application, you might consider installing the MusicalConductor app for iPhone.
Download MusicalConductor from the App Store
Do you own any other devices suitable to control the musical performance of the Espressivo app? There are no restrictions. The controller interface is fully documented.
Link to the controller interface
Furthermore, there are a few posts.
Resources for Programmers
If you are a programmer and interested in the source code or further improvements and developments of the app, send me an e-mail to get access to the Espressivo Xcode project.