help, computer struggles

Subject: help, computer struggles
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 09:59 AM

When we use the word music, we can mean one of two things: 1. organized sound 2. visible notes, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, which we can all read and which can be printed and shared.

Does MIDI produce both of these, or just the first one, sound files?

If MIDI just produces sound, what software is producing the written music in programs such as Noteworthy?

The reason I ask is that I have an old music program, EZPIANO, with over 500 pieces of music on it, and Noteworthy refuses to import any of them. You wouldn't believe the tricks Noteworthy plays to try to convince me that these 500 pieces don't exist.

If I knew the answer to this question about software, I might be able to get a program that would convert the tunes.

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 10:06 AM

Leenia, there are a number of MIDI packges available that are capable of producing notation as well as sound. I would suggest that you read The Mudcat MIDI Guide.

I have not heard of EZPiano but I will have a search and post here if I find anything I think may be useful.

Jon

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 10:12 AM

Leeneia, the program (such as EZPIANO and Noteworthy) is what converts the file to sound. EZPIANO won't read Noteworthy files, and Noteworthy won't read EZPIANO files. It's as if the two different types of files are written in different languages. If both of them understand "MIDI language," that's how you can switch them over.

Is there a way to open the files with EZPIANO and save (or export) them as MIDI files?

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 10:19 AM

The only information I have been able to find about EZPiano takes me to an input device - a double sided keyboard - computer on one side and piano on the other. As far as I can make out, the software, EZMake produces a MIDI file.

Leenia, what extension do the files have are they .mid? Also, if you still have the program, Jeri's suggestion is a good one.

Jon

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 02:05 PM

Supposedly EZPiano can store a tune as a MIDI file with a .mid extension, so I tried that. When I told Noteworthy to open that .mid file, it said that was an illegal operation and the program would be shut down. (Next it will try to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge.

The man who produced EZPiano, Andy Kula, doesn't seem to be in business any more, so I can't ask him for advice.

My friend the Computer Wizard sneers at EZPiano, but I think it's a neat program. For example, I can play a tune and it will gamely make a stab at printing what I played -- no tedious entering of one note at a time. Noteworthy doesn't seem to do that.

Also, EZPiano is perfectly comfortable with off-the-wall times like 9/8 and 5/4, and Noteworthy doesn't even have them on the tool bar.

However, Noteworthy seems more compatible with the Internet, and it prints a more elegant copy. That's why I wish I could get these two programs to swap pieces.

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: IvanB
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 02:46 PM

Leenia, as far as time signatures go, NoteWorthy puts only the more common ones on the tool bar. If you press the letter 'g' while a staff is open, you'll get a time signature dialog that will let you enter any time signature up to 99/32. If you'll send me a few of the MIDI files produced by EZPiano, I'll have a go at them. My Email address is:

Ivan Bradley's e-mail

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 03:00 PM

99/32?
Now, THERE's a tune I wouldn't want to dance to...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: IvanB
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 03:44 PM

Joe, that would probably be a tarantella, as actually danced by a spider. *G*

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: WyoWoman
Date: 09 Sep 00 - 04:25 PM

On methamphetamine!

I have Band in a Box, which is supposed to have the function of being able to do the notation from a song played on a keyboard. I haven't yet purchased a keyboard to test this theory. But it's great at transposing songs to different keys. I have a friend who sent me several files and I could set them in a new key, literally, with the click of a mouse.

ww

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 03:44 AM

A while back didn't someone mention a program (sharp eye???) that scans in music and converts it to midi. or am I dreaming? Could Leeneia print out the music and then scan it back in. Though that could well take a long time with 500 pieces!!
Roger

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 10:10 AM

Thanks, Ivan, for your help. "G" for time, now why didn't I think of that?

I am getting closer to my goal. This morning I couldn't sleep, so I experimented with the Record function in EZPiano. (It's not mentioned once in the manual, so I've been ignoring it all these years.) Anyway, I got EZPiano to make a MIDI file, and I got NoteWorthy to open it.

Now I can't seem to save it to NoteWorthy, because NW refuses to admit that itself exists. (It doesn't list itself as being one of my Program Files.) But I'll think of something.

Subject: RE: help, computer struggles
From: IvanB
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 01:20 PM

Actually, Leenia, there IS a reason for the 'G'. Another way of getting at it is to click on 'Insert' from the menu bar. This will give you a list of all the possible 'special' things you can insert, along with their keyboard shortcuts. As would happen, 'T' is taken by 'Tempo' and 'S' by 'Special ending' so they just took the 'g' out of 'signature.'

Sounds to me like there may be a problem with your NoteWorthy installation. Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling? Anyway, my offer of playing with one or two of your MIDI files still stands. And, since I use NW fairly regularly, feel free to PM or email me with any questions you might have about it.