When using styles in a song, you can keep it simple by ignoring substyle markers completely if you wish. In this case, Substyle A will apply throughout the song, and only the Main A section of the style will be used.
This is still a lot of fun and provides a useful accompaniment, but without much variation, and with a discontinuous start and finish.
A much richer and smoother accompaniment can be achieved by using different substyles in the song to create variations in the dynamics, and a polished intro and ending arrangement.
In this case, other sections of the style will come into play. It does not matter in which sequence they appear within the style, although for clarity and consistency it is recommended you use the same sequence that the New Style process constructs.
Section Markers
The section markers used in styles which support two substyles (A + B) are described in the rest of this topic. Marker labels must be exactly as listed, otherwise they will not be recognized by Songtrix.
All except the main sections are optional, and can be omitted for simplicity, although this degrades the richness of the accompaniment produced.
To implement substyles C and D also, additional sections marked in a similar way are needed. The New Style option of the New Song process can quickly set up the required structure of a new style design for you.
Main A
Contains the musical event pattern to be used for Substyle A. This can have any bar length you like, although usually it will be a power of two, such as 1, 2, 4, or 8 bars long.
For long passages of Substyle A in the song, this pattern is repeated as required. Obviously, a richer and less repetitive result can be achieved with a longer Main A section, containing more variation within it.
Fill In AB
Usually only a single bar, and contains a bridging pattern that is used to smoothly move from Substyle A to Substyle B in the song.
If Substyle B is has a stronger mood (which is usually the case, for use in chorus sections) then this fill in would typically contain a build up to lead into it.
Its events are transferred into the bar(s) preceding the Substyle B marker in the song.
Fill In AA
Usually only a single bar, and contains a decorative pattern that is used when a Substyle A marker appears in a section of the song already using Substyle A.
This fill in typically contains a mini-climax for dynamic relief, which is effective for leading into an additional verse, or the second half of a verse.
Its events are transferred into the bar(s) preceding the second Substyle A marker in the song.
Intro A
Contains an intro pattern that is used to smoothly launch into Substyle A from a standing start. This occurs in songs where a Substyle A marker appears after other bars which do not have a substyle.
Its events are transferred into the bar(s) preceding the Substyle A marker in the song.
Ending A
Contains an ending pattern that is used to smoothly wind up Substyle A into a satisfying finish. This occurs in songs where the Ending (X) marker appears after a Substyle A marker.
Its events are transferred into the bar(s) starting at the Ending marker in the song.
Main B
Similar to the Main A section above, but contains the event pattern for Substyle B instead.
Fill In BA
Similar to the Fill in AB section above, but for a transition from Substyle B back to Substyle A instead, typically containing a build down effect.
Fill In BB
Similar to theFill In AA section above, but for decoration within a Substyle B area.
Intro B
Similar to the Intro A section above, but for launching into Substyle B from a standing start.
Ending B
Similar to the Ending A section above, but for winding up Substyle B into a smooth finish.
