Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 11:54 PM

GUEST - Jon

I don't believe that is the type he is using...but your suggestiong http://www.individual.net/ is a most excellent place for our none PMing guests to start.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 07:20 AM

I don't know whether it's Mudcat or me, but I cannot see who the authors are above, but I have a few elaborations:

- Being a PC person I'm not familiar with the Mac version of the DT database, but I'd be surprised if it is fundamentally diffreent in structure to the PC beast. So YES if you have the ability to read and edit the databse in its raw format - at least for LYRICS.

- Adding the TUNE plus LYRICS is also possible, as long as you were prepared to use the old DOS version of SongWright. There are no Windows, Mac or Linux versions! This is a robust but very tedious and demanding process and would need to be notated note by note for EVERY additional song in your collection. The format looks like this:-

N-ABDUL ABULBUL AMEER
C-Percy French
A-
T-Moderato
S-140
K-D
B-3/4
F-
H-                  D      A7                G          D                      Em          D
M-9W-2 R-2 F-4 F-4 E-4 D#4 E-4 F-4 G-4 b-4 a-4 G#4 a-2 a-8_a-8 d-4 c-4 d-4 e-4 d-4 b-4 a-3 R-2 a-8 a-8
L-                The sons of the Pro-phet are heart-y and bold, and quite un-ac-cust-tomed to fear,             But the
H-       A7                      Bm          D            A7                      D
M-8W-2 a-4 E-4 E-4 E-4 F-4 G-4 b-4 a-4 F-4 d-2 F-8_F-8 a-4 a-4 a-4 G-4 F-4 E-4 D-3_D-4 R-2 S-6
L-
L-    bra-vest of all in their ranks I've been told, was Ab-dul A- bul- bul A-   meer.

In the unlikely event that you want to proceed then please send me a PM and I'll give you some further details and/or other people to contact.

The notation example is in proprietary SongWright version and at first glance appears somewhat like the newer (and much more adaptable) notation system known as ABC. And yes, I have been working on an ABC version of the DT for those songs for which tunes exist in the DT. I had hoped to have this online for download by now, but I've been travelling somewhat more than I expected. This ABC database is simplicity itself in that it is entirely text based and with a Mac tool such as Barfly you can search, play, transpose, print the music etc with great ease. Adding YOUR tunes to this database is as easy as copying text to the end of a file - or at the appropriate plces within a file.

I have in the past written an ABC Guide for Mudcat. Someone else might be kind enough to provide a link for you (OK, John, click) - or visit the ABC Homepage; it'll contain the keyword WALSHAW.

I've been loathe to make public pronouncements about timing for this but if I get a clear run I would hope to have this done before Melbourne Cup Day.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 09:42 AM

Bill, would that be this one? When I changed to broadband and used an ISP with no newsgroup support, I signed up there and have been happy so far.

They don't allow things like binary groups but there again I've no need or desire for anything other than plain text and none of the newsgroups I use would thank you for a contribution containing a binary!

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 09:35 AM

Joe...I think gargoyle has discovered one of those German hosts that will allow folks to sign up for free email and newsgroups...there are several. I'm waiting on approval for a 'spare' newsgroup host at a German University server.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 06:48 AM

The short answer is yes I think it would be possible. You would have to spend some time working out file formats and some programming though.

I think if I was to try to approch this as a Windows user, I'd try to find a plain text version, the one John in Brisbane has been working on with the tunes in abc would probably be ideal... I'd probably sling it all in a database. Relibably getting the right data in the right fields may be difficult but if you could achieve that, at least with an abc version, it would be easy to produce a fast searchable sytem which would allow you to add songs and also produces quality output.

My own attempt at such a system (not the dt but the dt would be no more difficult) is here With the data organised, it should be a no brainer to convert something like that into something that would run locally on a mac if you were prepared to install some software.

You could also look into using something like MS access (I think there is a Mac version) to build a user friendly interface.

With a Mac. If you could find an abc copy, Barfly would also be worth a try. That would let you read the text and on abc portions, display and play the tunes for you. I'm not sure how searching for the songs would work out.

Anyway, a few suggestions for you...

I do agree with the thoughts on sharing the songs BTW but I can see reasons for people wanting to do what you suggested.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 12:38 AM

fcbayern.de???

What happened to Los Angeles? I've been meaning to drop in on you, Garg...

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 11:55 PM

Dear Guest....we are not a pest....please contribute here.

My instructions are clear....(to my sotted mind) if you have any particular difficulty please contact me at [e-mail]

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:53 PM

kant nobodi read nomore?

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:41 PM

Whooops...almost forgot

IF...you know the approximate date/year/location/publication which acquainted you with the song - please post them - it helps make connections.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:37 PM

When the Rugby Thread nears exhaustion - I have a larger Hash House Harrier Thread (not the same songs - totaly different) to begin.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:33 PM

Howdy GUEST -

Susan and Dick are the editors of the DT .... of course you can post ....song/lyrics/tunes which you have (PLEASE DO!!! share your collection!!!

If you only want to edit the DT collection (ON YOUR OWN PC).....it is simple. Find the DT file on YOUR hard-drive (type in a name and then "find/seach/sherlock" save your own files into the DT folder.

But better yet, why not contribute part of your collection to the DT?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Do it now....do it today....because if it is OUT THERE someday it will probably be IN HERE

Good Lord willing and the taxes don't rise.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:33 PM

Hi, Greenman - Dick Greenhaus is the curator of the Digital Tradition, so you got to the right guy. What's really nice is if you post your songs here at Mudcat. If there's an existing thread on a song and you have a different version, post it there. Put ADD and the song title in the title of your message. If it's something we don't have at all, start a new thread.
Dick and Susan and some sometime volunteers process and index and format lyrics, and Dick then incorporates lyrics into the Digital Tradition database.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:15 PM

Nope. This is a public collection; not a private one.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Eric the Streetsinger
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 03:07 PM

Thanks again-

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 02:52 PM

That, I don't know....try asking in the Help Forum.

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 02:33 PM

Well- what I mean, is to the downloaded version I have
installed on my Mac, and not to the online data base.
thanks,
eric

Subject: RE: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 02:29 PM

Well, sort of. First, you do a good search to make sure they are not posted somewhere in the Forum even IF they are NOT in the DT....Dick and Susan are the only ones who can actually ADD stuff to the DT. What we do is start a new thread called Lyr Add: TITLE and post the lyrics in the forum. The harversters come along and add little birdies <<(but they go up instead) and someday when they have time, Dick and Susan update the DT. ABC or MIDI works fine for tunes.

Subject: Is it possible to add songs to DigiTrad?
From: GUEST,Greenmanwest
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 02:13 PM

I recently downloaded a copy of The Mac Digital Tradition- its a wonderful resource! I'm already working with a few melodies on
new guitar arrangements!
But I have a question.
Is it possible to add songs to my copy of the software?
I have a fairly comprehensive collection of lyrics that I have
written/used, which I would like to add to my copy of DigiTrad
so that I will have all my lyrics and charts in one location (right now
everything is in Word format, and access is very slow!) Anyone have any
pointers for me?
thanks,
Eric the Streetsinger