sqsl Nashville
Exploring heptatonic scales...
$14.99 · Designed for iPad
sqsl Nashville is a MIDI controller/tool for exploring harmonies, modes, and chord progressions within heptatonic scales.
Concept
When we press a key on a traditional MIDI keyboard/piano, we are saying: "play a specific note (pitch/frequency)". When we press a "key" in the Nashville app, we are saying "play a chord shape from this degree of the currently selected scale". The played chord shape is defined as a set of degree offset(s) from the played degree.
Examples
1/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be 3 notes (1, 3, 5), playing keys 1 to 7 would result in C Major's triads (CEG, DFA, EGB, FAC, GBD, ACE, BDF).
2/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be a single note (1), playing keys 1 to 7 would simply play the 7 notes of the C Major scale (CDEFGAB).
3/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be a single note (2), playing keys 1 to 7 would play the notes of the C Major scale but shifted by one degree (DEFGABC).
Setting the scale
Scales in Nashville are set using 3 parameters:
- Scale pattern: semitone distance (interval) pattern
- Mode: rotation of the scale pattern, defining which member of the scale pattern is used as the start point
- Root note: which absolute note (pitch) is used as the start point for the rotated scale pattern
Examples
1/ We select Diatonic as our scale pattern—meaning we want to work with the interval pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 (or whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half). We select the first Mode (I), which means we will not rotate the scale pattern, and we select C as the root note. We have set the scale C-D-E-F-G-A-B—usually called the C Major scale.
2/ We select Diatonic again (2-2-1-2-2-2-1) but now we select the third Mode (III)—the pattern is rotated by two steps, so we get 1-2-2-2-1-2-2. Selecting C as the root will result in this scale: C-C#-D#-F-G-G#-A#. A very different set of pitches from C Major but related, as it originates from the same scale pattern.
Usage (example)
- Trigger notes/degrees in the PLAY section, capture them in a loop (REC), and modify the pattern, root, mode, and chord shape to explore variations.
- Looped data can evolve – timing and degrees are randomly recombined at the end of each loop, and the chord shape can also be selected randomly.
Using with MIDI keyboard
- White keys always trigger degrees of currently selected scale (chord shapes set in app are ignored)
- Black keys are used to change the scale on the fly
- Press C# and following key will set Root
- Press D# and following black key will set Scale Pattern
- Press D# and following white key will set Mode
- F#, G#, A# keys are used as 3 positions where 3 scales can be stored and recalled (long press = store, short press = recall)
Notes
- Settings and loops are saved automatically but there is no preset system
- App runs in the background
- Only standalone (no AUv3 support)
- Does not produce any sound of its own (only MIDI notes)
- More details at https://www.seqsual.com
- Pitch-bend, after-touch and MIDI CCs received from external keyboard are passed to output.
The developer, Michal Macura, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Michal Macura
- Size
- 5.1 MB
- Category
- Music
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 16.6 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 16.6 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 16.6 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 13.5 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Copyright
- © Michal Macura
