On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:20:40 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

(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.

Just downloaded it - thanking you very much I am.

I bought the add-on too.

This should be interesting.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:20:40 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

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.



Just downloaded it - thanking you very much I am.

I bought the add-on too.

This should be interesting.



I've been messing around with the free version for a while and just ordered
the whole package. Waiting for an email for instructions how where to
download.

If you go back to the Willow Software Site .. www.AnvilStudio.com you will
find much support for any questions. They also have a dedicated forum to
discuss how to use, etc.

I just downloaded a ".kar" version of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight".
A .kar file is basically a .mid (midi) file with an extra track reserved to
display lyrics. You can play a .kar file in a standard midi player (or
keyboard that has a disk or memory card) by simply renaming the .kar file
from xxxxxx.kar to xxxxxx.mid. The AnvilStudio program will play both
..kar and .mid but will not always display the lyrics.

If you want to play a .kar file and display the lyrics as well, download
this program. Also a freebie.
http://www.vanbasco.com/karaokeplayer/

It's a great little program. Plays both .kar and .mid but doesn't permit
much customizing other than muting tracks and changing the key.

Eisboch