commentary element

• Modules
• Description
• Syntax
• Attributes
• Examples

Modules

• General

Description

Commentary on a piece of music. Such commentary could be a note of explanation or scholarly notes.

A commentary is a string of text (typed or spoken) that needs to be synchronized with the music. Commentary can take at least the following characteristics:

• Synchronized
  The commentary follows the music and keeps up with its tempo. Music tempo takes precedence and the commentary cannot lag behind the music, nor pace ahead. If the commentary is too long for the music, it is clipped.
• Interrupted
  Music is interrupted for the commentary block to finish first.

Commentary rendering

• Text
  Commentary can be written text that pops up in a box at the relevant locations. A pause button should also pop up allowing the user to first finish reading the text box before the music continues.
• Audio
  Commentary can be read from the written text by a synthesizer, or commentary can be a separate audio file that is synchronized with the music (perhaps with SMPTE). The user should be allowed to choose whether music or commentary takes precedence. For example, if music takes precedence and the audio clip for a given phrase of music is too long, the commentary clip will be stopped while the music continues. If commentary takes precedence, the music will stop while the commentary continues until finished. The music will then continue. An option should be given to loop the music until the commentary is finished.

Syntax

Attributes

Examples

© 1999, 2000 Author: Jacques Steyn