Why can't I just select a note and modify it?

[Lonniebiz]

I was trying to play around with the UI and modify notes of an existing song. Why is it that I can't just select any note and then change it? I only seem to be able to modify the top row's note, but clicking on the notes of any other row doesn't focus it, and so I'm therefore unable to modify those notes.

When I create a new session, the only way I'm able to make it work, is if I first delete all rows first. I realize that I'm probably over-looking something, but you should make it to where you can just click any note (on any row) and change it. That's the intuitive thing to do.

Update: I clicked on the "keys" button and now see how to move up and down using the keyboard. I like that. I still say, you should also be able to click any note (using the mouse) to select (and modify) it too.

[keithclark]

In a really early version of the tracker I did have the notes selectable by clicking them in the channel. I quickly dropped that feature as it became more of a hindrance than a help. I found clicking a track to focus it would result in unintended scrolling because the pattern would jump to the row I had clicked.

I tried a few different ways to work around the issue, including ignoring the click when changing focus, but that caused other frustrations. In the end I found keyboard navigation and the scroll wheel were the best way to get around the pattern.

The pattern navigation needs improvement. I'd like to add a row counter and a scrollbar which would definitely help. I could also explore making clickable rows an preference, if it proves a popular request.

[Lonniebiz]

As a first time user, I'll relay this to you: When I click something, and it doesn't do anything, it would have been cool if the key-map jumped up in front of me as a way of letting me know: "hey, clicking this doesn't doing anything, but you can use this key-map to do things using your keyboard instead".

That my seem silly, but I bet you it will increase adoption. When most people get stumped they move on to something else instead of thoroughly looking at everything that is front of them.

I think what you've made is really neat. I'd like to take the time to make a short melody with a beat here soon. I searched youtube hoping to find a video of someone making a little song from scratch using the tool, but I didn't find anything. You should screen record a video of you making a simply melody with a beat. Congratulations on what you've accomplished so far! Neat stuff! @keithclark

[Lonniebiz]

Another thing to consider, is double-click. The frustration you mentioned could be avoided if double-click is required instead of single-click. If someone single clicks a note, you could possibly have a tool tip in the bottom-right corner that says "Double click to select note for modification". These are just some ideas. I develop web-based software too, and I know how simple requests like this aren't really so simple in web development..... @keithclark