Guild Wars 2

Is there some technical reason that instruments don’t override the function keys for additional features?

You guys force yourselves to squeeze as much use out of 10 keys as possible, yet it would help tremendously if you used 4, maybe 5 function keys.

The function keys could handle more miscellaneous functions like mode switching, metronomes, and octive shifts, keeping the main row free for a MUCH wider range, maybe enough to allow us to use a key of our choice, or choose from keys to play in.

The instruments cost 10 dollars, pardon me for wanting an infinitely reproducible digital sound maker to surpass the quality of a physical instrument bought at a similar price. :P

Function keys as black keys. A no-brainer really. That it wasn’t done is breathtaking.

Pure Heart.1456:

Function keys as black keys. A no-brainer really. That it wasn’t done is breathtaking.

Are you saying there’s no sharps/flats on the instruments? Seems like that would be extremely limiting…

That is correct… no sharps or flats. Since you can’t really run while playing instruments ANET can take over the QWERTY keys for black keys (they should too) as such (make it remappable in controls). Direct octave selection through the F keys would ROCK too.

Key map (it’s upside down compared to a piano but it still works out)
1Q2W3 4R5T6Y78

Octaves:
F1, F2, F3 (select the octave of choice), F4: select chord/follow along mode (for instruments that do that)

9,0: Shift octaves like currently mapped.

Well, you can’t really run while playing complex tunes, maybe, unless you have mad skills … but several of the instruments do let you move around while playing them. Otoh I move with my mouse mapped to the arrow keys, so I could still left-hand play the instrument, had I any musical skill whatsoever, and not need QWERTY to move.

I do support the idea of converting more keys to instrument use for those who are actually good at making music. I’m lucky enough not to be tone deaf so I can at least enjoy what others do.