For a more specific example of this type of learning tool, I have chose the baritone saxophone widget. This gives you a look at the fingering for notes from low Bb up to two octaves. Simply click on screen buttons or use your computer keyboard to interact with it. You will then see which keys to press. You will also hear the note and how it sounds in range of the instrument.
As you click each note on the row of buttons, you hears the pitch and see the fingering for that note. The diagram will instantly change showing what keys would be pressed and open. Empty circles are keys that is left open and filled circles are keys pressed down. You don’t have to have your physical instrument to hand because you can see how your finger positions matches the notes produced.
How to Use the Saxophone Widget
If you like more tactile control than you can also play from your keyboard. Simply tab through the notes with the Tab key and enter each note by pressing either the Space bar or the Enter key. This is a good option when you’re seated at computer as it provides a faster means of testing sequences without having to use the mouse. Your fingers stays on the home row but you still have the ability to get around the chart.
The Play Scale button runs through the entire two-octave range automatically. This are useful when you want to get to know the instrument in its entirety, from the very bottom to the highest end of its voice. To change the volume to something that suits the space you are playing in use the slider. Just keep it on a comfortabley setting so you can hear each note distinctly without any distorting sounds.
Just keep it on a comfortable setting so you can hear each note distinctly without any distorting sounds. A handy, pop-up panel also appears. It gives you an at-a-glance reminder of how the instrument works (fingers on keys) and a description of the octave key in the How to Play section. You can keep this visible on-screen by toggling it back on.
A fullscreen button makes the widget take up whole of your screen for easier viewing should you be on a smaller tablet or laptop with less room. As with any size of saxophone, the fingering chart is consistent throughout. Even if you compare an Alto Sax to a Tenor Sax, they uses identical fingerings. Only the pitch changes but the finger patterns are the same.
Pinky keys is used for low notes while the thumb key is engaged for higher octaves. As you ascend the scale, it follows a logical order of just lifting each finger one at a time. Familiarise yourself with common patterns by trying to play a few simple melodies. Play around using both keyboard input and click input. See what is most naturaly to you.
Turn the volume down and adjust how loud this sounds in comparison to any other sounds on your webpage. It takes the pressure off and allows you to get to grips with the fingering at your pace. You should of used it more often. The widget converts those abstract fingering charts into something that can be interacted with to help you learn.
Pause when a tricky transition comes along, or repeat a section until it becomes second nature. Begin with the lower register and build your confidence from there.