Notes_Norton

21 hours ago, bdickens said:

You always have to do quite a bit of editing with this kind of thing.

I find it easier just to play the parts in, in real time, than to go back and edit every note for velocity, precise timing, etc.

By playing in real time, if I haven't practiced it enough beforehand, I'll play a few wrong notes, but I don't let that bother me, as long as the timing and dynamics are there, I can fix a few notes in the piano roll editor.

I've never attempted anything this huge, though. It seems to be a monumental task.

Mostly I make my own backing tracks for my duo http://www.s-cats.com and make aftermarket styles for Band-in-a-Box @ http://www.nortonmusic.com

I do this by first recording the drums, then the bass, and layering other parts on top. I record everything in real time, that way I get subtle timing and dynamic expression. When the drums are down, all the other comp parts have to respect the groove and either sync with it or contrast it. Fortunately, I play drums, bass, sax, wind MIDI controller, guitar, flute, and keyboards. Life is too short to play only one instrument.

The longest things I've recorded are 20-minute medleys that we used to play during dinner sets. I did two in light swing rhythm and one more in a rhumba and bossa rhythm. I did these by recording each song separately and then pasting them together in Master Tracks Pro.

But there is more than one correct way to make music. My way is best for me, and will be until I learn a better way. YMMV

Notes ♫

Mister Spaceman - Byrds

Numbers? It gives me a chance to hear one of my favorite pieces of rock guitar playing.

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

I had to follow that one with:

Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band

41 minutes ago, Shane_B. said:

I've seen scanning software that will convert sheet music to midi. Here's one program. You take a pic with your cell or use a flatbed scanner, load it in, and it converts it to a midi file. Don't know how accurate it is but I'm sure there's something on YouTube about it. 

I tried one of those, and the problem for me is that they quantize all the notes and play them at equal volumes, so it sounds robotic. I suppose for some forms of music it might work, but it didn't work for me. YMMV

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

Born In The USA - Bruce Springsteen

I'm A Man - Chicago

(IMO Terry Kath was one of the 5 best rock guitarists - ever)

Close the Windows

Sinnerman - Nina Simone

Lyrics association:

He was waitin', all on that day
I cried, power, power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)
Power (power, Lord)

If I don't have Money for that Ticket To Ride, I can always Drive My Car, it takes me Here, There and Everywhere, but it is a Long And Winding Road from here and over by Penny Lane I think.

One of the blessings of making aftermarket fake e-disks for Band-in-a-Box is discovering new songs.

Working on one of the Real Jazz books, I came across a song called Ragtime Cowboy Joe. It's in a jazz book, but it's actually Western Swing, which was a mixture of country and jazz genres. I don't listen to Western Swing much, but should listen to it more. Here is a contemporary band doing it. The musicianship is excellent, there is an element of fun, and I liked it, so I'm sharing.

Ragtime Cowboy Joe - The Swing Commanders

Something In The Air - Thunderclap Newman

Wham! - Lonnie Mack

He played the first production Gibson Flying V - serial number 5, and was one of rock's first guitar stars

and over 20 years later

2 hours ago, craigb said:

Can ya dig it? ?

I can - in spades

Here is the first song we opened with every week when gigging on cruise ships in the late 1980s"

Sea Cruise - Frankie Ford

Some very, very early rock 'n' roll.

That would give me twice as many opportunities for me to play a wrong note. Double your pleasure, double your fun.

Is that for playing 'canned music'?

A history lesson in song, and there are plenty of covers, and this cover is fun.

Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - Bette Midler