- What is included in the App Library?
You’ll find over 1300 Jazz standards, including Swing and Latin genres, along with 87 songs from the “New Standards” book published by Berklee College of Music.
- What are the available styles in the song collection?
Genius Jamtracks offers 27 different styles: Swing, Open Swing, Two Feel, Ballad, Ballad Even, Open Ballad, Even 8ths, Open Even 16ths, Even 16ths, Open Even 8ths, Open Swing Brushes, Free, Mambo, Bossa Nova, Choro, Baiao, Afro Beat, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Samba Brushes, Funky Samba, Simple, Half Time Shuffle, and Half Time.
- Can I download additional songs?
Currently, the option to download additional songs is unavailable. However, in the near future, you will have the ability to download more songs through the Genius Jamtracks community.
- How do I delete a song?
On Android, tap the three dots next to the song title and choose “Delete.” On iOS, swipe left on the song title and select “Delete.”
- How can I rename a song?
On Android, tap the three dots next to the song title and select “Rename.” On iOS, swipe left on the song title and choose “Rename.”
- What happens when I rename a song?
If you rename a song on Android, a new version of the song is saved to “My Songs” with the updated song name. On iOS, the song is simply renamed.
- How do I find a specific song?
The songs are arranged alphabetically in the library. If you don’t want to scroll through them, you can use the “Search” field at the top; just type the song name, and you’re good to go.
Frequently
Here you ‘ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Genius Jamtracks.
Library
Playlists
- How do I create a playlist?
You can create a playlist directly from the “Playlists” tab by clicking on the “+” symbol on the top right. Alternatively, on iOS, you can swipe left on the song title you want to add to that playlist, and on the window that opens, you will get the option to either add this to a pre-existing playlist or create a new one.
- How do I add songs to a playlist?
If you’re on iOS, all you need to do is swipe left on the song title in the Library. Three options will appear: Add to playlist, Rename, and Delete. The first one is what you need. If you’re on Android, you can also click on the Playlist name and choose the songs you’d like.
- How do I remove a song from a playlist?
On Android, click on the 3 dots on the right of the playlist’s name and select Edit. Deselect the song you want to remove from the playlist. On iOS, in the Playlist, find the song you want to remove, swipe right, and remove the song.
- How do I rename a playlist?
Click on the 3 dots on the right of the playlist’s name, and you will get 3 options: Rename, Edit, and Delete. Click on Rename and input the name you want your playlist to have.
- How do I delete a playlist?
Click on the 3 dots on the right of the playlist’s name, and you will get 3 options: Rename, Edit, and Delete. Click on Delete, and your playlist will be removed.
- If I delete a playlist, will it delete the songs as well?
Deleting a playlist does not remove the individual songs from your device. They will still be available in the main library.
New Standards Playlist
- Why was the “New Standards” playlist added?
“New Standards” is a monumental publication and effort led by Terri Lyne Carrington, a multi-Grammy-winning artist, NEA Jazz Master, and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice‘s founder and artistic director. We added this, not only because we see the value of the publication that helps bring into focus the omission of women composers from the history of jazz, but also because the music in it is simply amazing.
- About the book “New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers”.
“New Standards” is a monumental publication and effort led by Terri Lyne Carrington, a multi-Grammy-winning artist, NEA Jazz Master, and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice‘s founder and artistic director. The compositions span nearly a century, including Lil Hardin Armstrong’s work from 1922 to songs written in 2021 by recent Berklee graduates. It features 101 compositions from a remarkable range of acknowledged titans, young visionaries, and unsung heroes in jazz.
These compositions are supplementary and alternatives to the “jazz standard” canon that has served students, teachers, and professionals throughout the development of jazz music. Developed by our team, Genius Jamtracks sets ‘new standards’ for the practice tools available for music students and musicians in terms of sound quality and technology. We have developed this software with love and respect for music, and every note that is played. The addition of the “New Standards” offers incredibly beautiful compositions but is also a statement – not yet outdated.
Quick Edits and Basic Functions
- How do I change the style of a song?
To change the style of a song, click on the pencil icon on the top right to enter the edit mode. Press “Style” and choose your preferred style for the song. The style will be added to the bar selected on the chart. So, if you want it to be for the whole song, make sure the first bar of the song is selected. You can add as many style changes as you want, not just at section starts but at any bar of the song.
- How do I add a metronome to the playback?
To activate the metronome, click on the “Mixer” icon on the bottom right and bring up the metronome volume slider until it is at the desired level.
- How do I adjust the volume of an instrument?
To adjust the volume of the individual instruments, click on the “Mixer” icon on the bottom right and use the volume sliders until everything is at the desired level.
- How do I save my favorite songs?
In order to save your favorite songs for quick access, you can create a playlist, name it, and save everything there to access anytime without going through the entire library. If you’re on iOS, all you need to do is swipe left on the song title in the Library. Three options will appear: Add to playlist, Rename, and Delete. The first one is what you need. If you’re on Android, you can also click on the Playlist name and choose the songs you’d like.
- How can I rename a song?
On Android, tap the three dots next to the song title and select “Rename.” On iOS, swipe left on the song title and choose “Rename.”
- How do I create a playlist?
You can create a playlist directly from the “Playlists” tab by clicking on the “+” symbol on the top right. Alternatively, on iOS, you can swipe left on the song title you want to add to that playlist, and on the window that opens, you will get the option to either add this to a pre-existing playlist or create a new one.
- How do I add songs to a playlist?
If you’re on iOS, all you need to do is swipe left on the song title in the Library. Three options will appear: Add to playlist, Rename, and Delete. The first one is what you need. If you’re on Android, you can also click on the Playlist name and choose the songs you’d like.
- Transposing Instruments
Go to the settings tab by clicking on the bottom right while in the main view of the app. On the top, you will find the Instrument Transpose. Click on it and select your instrument’s transposition. This is a master setting, so no need to do it every time. All song charts will appear transposed from now on.
For Android users, the Instrument Transpose works the opposite way than what you expect to see. When you select your instrument’s transposition, the chart remains in the same key and the music will be transposed to your instrument key.
For example, if you want to play a Blues in C (concert key), you can transpose the song in A. The music will be in C and the chart in A.
Polyrhythms? Learn more.
- What is the “Rhythm” button?
By pressing the “Rhythm” button, you access the Level, Groupings, and Ratios tabs, where you can experiment and control the rhythmic content of the app. Depending on your choices, polyrhythmic phrases will be introduced from simple and common phrases to more complex and challenging ones.
- What’s a polyrhythm?
A polyrhythm is a combination of two or more different rhythms that follow the same basic pulse. For example, let’s say you have a 4/4 measure. One rhythmic layer uses the 4-beats reference for that measure, and the second divides the same 4/4 measure into 3 beats. This is referred to as a 3 against 4 or 3:4 polyrhythm. When both rhythms play together, they form an overall rhythmic phrase that is perceived as one.
- What do “Level”, “Groupings”, and “Ratios” mean? How are they different?
“Level”, “Groupings”, and “Ratios” all introduce polyrhythms in the comping, and are categorized differently for ease of use.
Going through the Levels, you have control of how complex the rhythmic comping is going to be, but you do not get to choose the actual polyrhythms used in it. On level 1, you get no Polyrhythms, on Level 2 simpler and more common polyrhythmic phrases are being introduced, such as dotted and 3:4, and as you move up the levels, you get a bigger variety of more complex phrases like triplets in groups of 17.
Using Groupings and ratios, you get to choose the specific polyrhythm that is going to be used during playback. The Grouping or Ratio that you picked will be the only thing used when the Genius Jamtracks trio decides to throw in a polyrhythmic phrase. Groupings refer to actual note values, eighth notes, quarter note triplets, etc., and how many of them it takes for the rhythmic cycle to complete.
Ratios refer to the relationship between the rhythm of the song and the rhythm that is being superimposed on that. For example, let’s say you have a 4/4 measure. One rhythmic layer uses the 4-beats reference for that measure, and the second divides the same 4/4 measure into 3 beats. This is referred to as a 3 against 4 or 3:4 polyrhythm.
- How do I use the wheel pickers in Groupings?
When in Groupings, on the wheel picker on the left side, you have the choice of note values. Select the one you want, e.g., 8th notes, and on the wheel picker on the right, you choose the number of note values chosen that it takes to complete a rhythmic phrase. Note that depending on the tempo of the song, the options available will vary, as not all note groupings work in all tempos.
- What does "Ratios" refer to?
Ratios refer to the relationship between the rhythm of the song and the rhythm that is being superimposed on that. For example, let’s say you have a 4/4 measure. One rhythmic layer uses the 4-beats reference for that measure, and the second divides the same 4/4 measure into 3 beats. This is referred to as a 3 against 4 or 3:4 polyrhythm.
- When choosing a polyrhythm, do all three instruments introduce it during playback?
When in “Groupings” or “Ratios”, you have the option to assign the chosen Rhythm to any of the 3 instruments, by selecting or deselecting their name right underneath the wheel pickers. For instance, you can have just the drums play a 3:4 ratio, or piano and drums, all three instruments or any combination of them.
- How does Tempo affect the polyrhythmic content?
Depending on the tempo of the song, the options available will vary, as not all note Groupings or Ratios work in all tempos. Just as the swing feel changes in regards to song tempo, so do the rhythmic phrases that musicians tend to use. In certain tempos, either too fast or too slow, some rhythms feel and sound unnatural and out of place, so they are not available at those tempos.
- Is there a tutorial for Polyrhythms?
On our website, you can find videos of people using Genius Jamtracks as well as a series of videos by the great Sami Amiris, a true master of Polyrhythms, getting in-depth with the most commonly used ones, how to practice them, and how to incorporate them into your playing.
https://geniusjamtracks.com/videos/](https://geniusjamtracks.com/videos
Harmony
- What is the “Harmony” button?
Here you can adjust the range of harmonic level from simplifying the written chart up to complex reharmonizations. On Level 1, you get triads. As you start moving up the levels, you progress into jazz harmony, and your choice for the range of jazz piano voicings will increase. More specifically, on Level 2, you get what is written on the chart. On the 3rd level, you move into Jazz harmony and get piano voicings. On the 4th level, some basic substitutions are being introduced, and on the 5th, you will get more advanced substitutions and reharmonizations. Whether you choose to adjust the harmonic level or just press play and trust Genius Jamtracks to create your Jam Session for you, you’ll always have the same attention to voice leading from the pianist and the same effort in creating beautiful lines from the bassist to accompany you.
- What's included in Harmony Levels 1-5?
On Level 1, you get triads. As you start moving up the levels, you progress into jazz harmony, and your choice for the range of jazz piano voicings will increase. More specifically, on Level 2, you get what is written on the chart. On the 3rd level, you move into Jazz harmony and get piano voicings. On the 4th level, some basic substitutions are being introduced, and on the 5th, you will get more advanced substitutions and reharmonizations.
- Can the App play what is written in terms of harmony?
Yes, if you set the Harmony Level at 2, you will get what is written on the chart.
Player
- Time Placement
This is a unique feature found on Genius Jamtracks that allows you to change the time feel of the individual players. Experiment with having any of the three playing ahead, behind the beat, or right on it, and individually adjust their position in relation to the beat.
- What is "In Front" and "Behind" in the Time Placement screen?
“In Front” and “Behind” refer to the relationship between the time a note is being played and the metronomic time. Intentionally playing slightly after the beat, or behind the beat, can create a relaxed and laid-back feel, whereas playing slightly before, or in front of the beat, will give a sense of energy and forward momentum.
- Does the setting apply to all songs, and does it autosave?
The settings you make here will be autosaved and applied to every song as a master setting.
- How can I adjust the tempo?
Click on the metronome icon on the bottom left and set the tempo either by using the up and down arrows, with the slider, or simply by tapping the tempo you want.
By changing the tempo, you will also affect the choice of polyrhythms the trio will use. The GJT trio won’t simply play faster or slower; the style will change as well, depending on the tempo. The polyrhythmic content available also depends upon where the tempo is set. - How can I change the Key in a song?
Click on the “Key” marking and choose the key you want to practice each song in. Your last preference for a song will be saved for the next time you return to it.
- Can I change the number of choruses the app Plays?
Yes, you can select the number of choruses you want to play with the trio, from one to infinite choruses.
- Does the app play what is written in terms of harmony?
Yes, if you set the Harmony Level at 2, you will get what is written on the chart.
- Does Tempo also affect the content?
By changing the tempo, you will also affect the choice of polyrhythms the trio will use.
The GJT trio won’t simply play faster or slower, the style will change as well, depending on the tempo.
The polyrhythmic content available also depends upon where the tempo is set. - Can I adjust the individual volumes of the instruments?
You can customize the instrument levels and metronome volume, by clicking on the “Mixer” icon at the bottom right.
Editing A Song
- How do I edit a song?
To enter the edit mode and make changes to a song, click on the pencil icon on the top right.
- Explain the options for saving, overwriting, and saving as new.
Once you edit a song and want to save your changes, you have two options. You can either press save and overwrite the song in the library or rename the song by pressing the pencil icon next to it and then save. This way you will retain the original song in the library and have your edited version of it as well with a different name.
- How many chords can I add in a bar?
You can add up to 4 chords in each bar in any time signature, with the exception of 3/4 where you can have up to 3 chords per bar.
- How do I add a Slash chord?
To add slash chords, input the chord as you would normally, then press the slash button (“ / “), and select the bass note you want to use in your chord.
- What is a Slash chord, and where are the chord symbols located?
A slash chord is a chord whose bass note or inversion is indicated by the addition of a slash and the letter of the bass note after the root note letter. To find the symbols, just press the slash button (“ / “), and the bass notes will show up on the screen.
Create A New Song
- What are the steps to create a new song?
Start creating a new song by tapping the “+” button in the “Library.” Follow the sequential steps involving song form, time signature, key, and style. Upon completion, click “Done” to commence crafting your new song, adding chords, and finalizing the chart.
- Can I modify the song form, the time signature, the key, and the style after creating a song?
Absolutely, with a simple click on the “Edit” button, represented by the pencil icon on the top right.
- The left and right “Barline” buttons in song form.
Customize your song structure by utilizing the left “Barline” button for editing the left barline of the selected bar and the right “Barline” button for the right barline.
- How do I add a bar in a song?
Enter the “Edit” mode, represented by the pencil icon on the top right, navigate to the “Song Form” tab, and discover the “Add bar” button.
- How do I delete a bar in a song?
In “Edit” mode, navigate to the “Song Form” tab and find the “Delete bar” button to remove a bar from your composition.
- How can I add an intro?
While in “Edit” mode, head to the “Song Form” tab and locate the “Add intro” button to incorporate an Intro section to your song.
- How can I add a Coda?
In “Edit” mode, within the “Song Form” tab, you’ll find the “Add Coda” button, allowing you to add a Coda section.
- What is the "Coda" symbol (cross in a circle), and how does it function?
Recognized by a circle with a cross inside, the coda symbol indicates a unique section in your composition. Place it at the beginning of the coda section. Musicians, upon reaching the coda symbol during playback, seamlessly skip to the designated coda section and continue from there.
- How do I add a section in a song?
Navigate to the “Edit” button, denoted by the pencil icon at the top right. In the “Song Form” tab, find the “Add Section” button.
- Is there a limit to the number of sections I can add?
Surprisingly, no limits exist. Feel free to explore your creativity without constraints; add as many sections as your musical vision requires.
- What is the purpose of the "Solo" section?
The “Solo” section, or sections, is designed to loop as many times as specified by the repeat time setting.
- Can I change the style in every bar?
Absolutely! Tap the “Edit” button (pencil icon on the top right), access the “Song Form” tab, and find the “Style” button. A selection of 27 style options will appear. This unique capability allows you to change the style in every single bar of your song, providing flexibility not found in other similar apps.
- How do I add different endings to a section?
Initiate the “Edit” mode using the pencil icon on the top right. In the “Song Form” tab, locate the “Ending” button. Don’t forget to add a repeat end (double barline with repeats) after incorporating an ending to ensure a correct song structure.
- How do I set the time signature in a song?
Tap the “Edit” button (pencil icon on the top right) and access the “Song Form” tab. There, you’ll find the “Time Signature” button. Choose from options ranging from 3/4 to 17/4, and you have the option to customize the time signature in every single bar of the song.
- What does "Accent" mean? What’s a downbeat and upbeat accent?
Using an accent on a certain beat will place an emphasis on that, either on the downbeat or upbeat. This will be a short drum break ending on that beat and a rhythmic phrase by the piano and bass with a hit on the accented beat. You can use accents on the downbeats or the upbeats of any bar. To navigate to the beat you want to place the accent to, first select the bar, then use the arrows to find the beat you want to accent, and press the “Accent” button. The label will change to “Downbeat”, and an accent will be placed on the downbeat of the selected beat. If you want to place an accent on the upbeat, press again, and the label will now read “Upbeat”.
Settings
- Transposing Instruments
Go to the settings tab by clicking on the bottom right while in the main view of the app. On the top, you will find the Instrument Transpose. Click on it and select your instrument’s transposition. This is a master setting, so no need to do it every time. All song charts will appear transposed from now on.
For Android users, the Instrument Transpose works the opposite way than what you expect to see. When you select your instrument’s transposition, the chart remains in the same key and the music will be transposed to your instrument key.
For example, if you want to play a Blues in C (concert key), you can transpose the song in A. The music will be in C and the chart in A. - How can I leave an excellent review?
Go to the “Settings” tab, and on Android, look for “Rate App in PlayStore”; on iOS, “Rate App in AppStore”. Click on it, and you will be redirected to the corresponding Store, where you can tell us how much you love Genius Jamtracks. We most definitely appreciate it.
- How can I find the app version?
Go to the “Settings” tab on the bottom right. There you will find the version of the app that is on your device. Make sure to keep up with the updates as new features will be added regularly.