December 6, 2006
Using KTabS to Write Music for Multiple Kalimbas

I think KTabS is a cool and groovy program, but the place where it REALLY shines is in writing music for multiple kalimbas. I assume you've already installed KTabS and that you have downloaded the ALTO and TREBLE templates (if you haven't, check out yesterday's tip).

Start up KTabS, open a NEW file and load the ALTO template. Now, open a second NEW file and load the TREBLE template. One file's display will be on top of the other. Look at the top row of buttons and find one that looks like two windows side by side. This is the "Tile Windows" button, and when you click it, you should be able to see both the Treble and the Alto windows. Right next to that button is the "Tie All Views" button. If you depress that button, then all KTabS windows will be played together at the same time.

OK, some practical advice. Start working on one part, ALTO or TREBLE. Get about 4 measures of music, and pay attention to the time signature and tempo so that it sounds good to you, has some sort of groove or it just flows. NOW, click on the other tablature window and set the time signature and temp to the same as the first (so they play back at the same speed). Playing back now only yields a single part. Experiment with writing a second line on the blank tablature window. Hit REWIND and then PLAY, and you can hear what your first KTabS duet sounds like.

Don't forget to save BOTH files. If you try to quit without saving, KTabS will ask you if you want to save. Of course, you need to pay the KTabS piper before KTabS will let you save.

After you have written a duet, you could leave it on your screen, save a bitmap of the tab (i.e., to post on your website), or print the tab. THEN comes the real fun - getting another kalimba player to play it with you. Of course, you could have KTabS play one part while you play the other (if you have both tab windows open, you will need to click "Tie All Views" again so that you are in single-play mode again).

If you get confused, you can always check out the KTabS documentation.