For macOS · iPadOS · iOS

Sharing Chords and Scales Diagrams

In part 1 of this tutorial I showed you how to convert your scale- and chord diagrams from text to png-images using the application Automator.

You created images from Chords & Scales neck diagrams using Apple Pages or TextEdit – or even Spotlight without opening any application.

Occasionally you may want to share additional chord, scale or arpeggio diagrams as an explanatory note with your students. In this second part of the tutorial I show you how to attach, markup and share these images.
Script · Scales Normal to Mail
  • converts your scale diagram to an image
  • saves the image to the folder My Scales Images
  • opens the application Mail
  • attaches the image to a new email
  • completing subject and message automatically
00:00  /  00:00

Creating the Automator workflow

New Automator Document
  • open the application Automator that comes with macos
  • open a new document with Cmd-N
  • in the template window choose Workflow
  • as a start save the new document on the desktop as Scales Normal to Mail.workflow
Adding Actions To The Workflow
Action 1 · Run Applescript
Replace code
with
So the code looks like this:
Press the Compile button.
Action 2 · Ask for Text
  • Question: Type scale name and fret position
  • Default answer: e.g. Cmaj7 scale VII or any other scale or arpeggio name (accordingly: e.g. Cmaj7 VIII 2346 for chord diagrams)
  • Require an answer
Action 3 · Set Value of Variable
  • double-click the action Set Value of Variable
  • Variable: select New Variable and hit Return
  • name it scale name (accordingly: chord name for chord diagrams)
Action 4 · Run Applescript
This Applescript adds a space right after your diagram in the clipboard

Replace code
with
So the code looks like this:
Press the Compile button.
  • Ignore this action’s input
Action 5 · Get Contents of Clipboard
  • double-click the action Get Contents of Clipboard
Action 6 · Create Banner Image from Text
  • Untick Use text input as image filename
  • Save as: drag the variable scale name from the variable list at the foot of the right-hand pane to this field (see video tutorial of part 1)
  • Where: create the folder My Scales Images e.g. in your Documents folder (accordingly the folder My Chords Images for chord diagrams)
  • Text Style: custom
  • Typeface: Scales-Normal (Chords-Normal, Chords-Bold, Scales Bold accordingly)
  • Size: 200
  • Replacing existing file
Action 7 · Scale Images
  • To Size (pixels): 800
Action 8 · Set Value of Variable
  • double-click the action Set Value of Variable
  • Variable: select New Variable and hit Return
  • name it storage
Action 9 · New Mail Message
  • double-click the action New Mail Message
  • Subject: drag the variable scale name from the variable list at the foot of the right-hand pane to this field and complete optionally
  • Message: add any message
  • Account: choose your mail account
  • Ignore this action’s input
Action 10 · Get Value of Variable
  • double-click the action Get Value of Variable
  • Variable: select New Variable and hit Return
  • name it storage
Action 11 · Add attachments to Front Message
  • double-click the action Add Attachments to Front Message

Installing Workflows

  • create workflows for the fonts Scales Normal, Scales Nut, Chords Normal and Chords Nut
  • move the workflows from the desktop to ~/Library/Scripts/
  • open Script Editor located at /Applications/Utilities/
  • in Script Editor Preferences activate Show Script menu in menu bar
  • run the workflows from the menu bar as shown in the video
Script Menu Bar
Automator Workflow Overview
Automator Workflow - Scales Normal to Mail