Performer Annotations

Overview

Performer Annotations allow performers to add personal notes directly onto the score view while working with Oscilla.

Annotations are intended for:

• reminders
• listening cues
• coordination notes
• interpretive decisions
• rehearsal observations

Annotations do not change the score and do not affect playback or cues.
They exist as a separate, optional layer that can be shown or hidden at any time.

Note: Because annotations can be placed freely in time and space, Oscilla can be used in a minimal, annotation-only mode (without an SVG score). In this case, annotations function as a very lightweight textual score. This mode is intentionally limited, but can be useful for sketches, instructions, or rehearsal frameworks.

Entering Annotation Mode

1. Click the pen icon in the toolbar
2. The cursor changes to indicate annotation mode
3. Click anywhere on the score area to add a new annotation

Annotation mode automatically exits after saving a note.

Creating an Annotation

When you click the score area in annotation mode:

1. A text editor appears
2. Enter your note (multi-line text is supported)
3. Choose whether the note is:
   • Local — visible only on your device
   • Shared — visible to other connected clients
4. Click Save

The annotation appears as:

• a small dot (anchor)
• a text label displaying the note

Editing an Annotation

• Click either the dot or the text label to open the editor
• You can:
  • edit the text
  • change Local / Shared status
  • adjust font size
  • delete the annotation

Click Save to apply changes.

Moving an Annotation

• Click and drag the text label to reposition the annotation
• Release to confirm the new position
• The position is saved automatically

The dot remains visually tied to the text.

Keyboard Behaviour While Editing

While typing in the annotation editor:

• All global keyboard shortcuts are temporarily disabled
• This prevents accidental playback or navigation
• Press Escape to close the editor

Normal keyboard controls resume once the editor is closed.

Local vs Shared Annotations

Local

• Stored only in your browser
• Not visible to others
• Suitable for personal rehearsal notes

Shared

• Broadcast to other connected clients
• Read-only for other performers
• Useful for ensemble coordination

Shared annotations do not override local ones.

Visibility

Annotations:

• can be globally shown or hidden
• move with the score when scrolling or paging
• remain aligned to the score content

They never affect timing, cues, or navigation.

What Annotations Do Not Do

Annotations:

• do not trigger playback
• do not alter the score
• do not affect synchronization
• do not replace cues or instructions

They are purely informational.

Notes on Use

Annotations are best used for:

• marking sections to listen closely
• noting transitions or handovers
• tracking rehearsal decisions
• personal memory aids

They are intentionally lightweight and non-authoritative.

Future Changes

This feature is evolving. Possible future additions include:

• filtering annotations by author
• export / import of annotation files
• visibility modes (rehearsal vs performance)

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