(and chord strummers)


Here's a pretty cool (and free) program that displays, modifies and plays
midi files. What is really cool about it is that you can display any of the
tracks of the midi file in different modes, including staff (music), piano
roll and (this is what is of interest to guitarists) in a guitar tabulation
mode.

What I do is go to a couple of different midi sites and download songs that
I want to learn. Then, I open them in this program.
You can manipulate the tracks .... change instruments, mute them, set tempo,
individual track volume, etc. You can even transpose the key of the song to
any key you want. Then, you highlight the melody track, select "View", then
"Tab" and the melody line will be displayed in standard guitar tabulation.
Or, you can select "Staff" and read the actual music score.

Hit "Play", grab your Gee-Tar and play along. The tab (or staff, if
selected) scrolls along with the music, displaying what note or finger
position to play. I have the headphone output of the computer plugged into
the aux input of my Denon amp, so the room fills with my "band" and I play
along with the guitar cranked up.

alt.binaries.sounds.midi is a good source for midi files. You have to
pick out the good from the bad.
There are also several other newsgroups that have midi files .... blues ....
rock.... country, etc.
Some websites have a good selection as well.

It may sound complicated, but it's really very easy to do and a lot of fun.
I've been using it for about a month and have learned a bunch of new songs
rather quickly.

Here's the site for the free program: www.AnvilStudio.com

The free version does not contain all the features of the full program, but
you really don't need them. The free program does not expire and even
allows you to record one track of audio in addition to the midi tracks. The
upgrade permits many tracks of audio.

Eisboch