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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78 |
From printed sheet music to playing it as a midi file in BIAB. Apart from some software like Smartscore and a scanner, what is the procedure and pitfalls to look out for? I basically want to put transcribed sax solos in BIAB and put band tracks behind it in order to practice along....
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
While this method can work, given some manual "cleanup" editing on your part after the scanning, don't expect it to sound very musical when played back due to the fact that there will be very little to nothing in the way of Velocity data per note, nor in the way of those subtle changes in note lengths that a human player imparts.
However, BIAB has certain tools that can help here, once the part is converted to MIDI and imported onto the Melody or Soloist track, the corresponding Menus and Edit areas contain tools to "humanize" a part somewhat, randomize velocities, etc. This may help to make the performance sound a bit less mechanical, but may not impart the same exact nuances that the original player of the solo put in there.
Another method worth considering -- go ahead and create the MIDI part so that you can have notes to read and then use the BIAB Audio file playback feature (the ACW would be a great way to "bring it in" to BIAB, but with jazz tunes don't expect the chords to be found correctly, just the Beat Map, song format and length, etc. and then you can go through and manually type in the right chords) -- and then have the original recording of said solo to hear while you read the MIDI part.
That said, by far the better way to deal with solo transcription is to bite the bullet and actually transcribe the solos yourself note-for-note and phrase-for-phrase, then analyze each phrase over the chords, getting inside the mind of the original soloist. It is not a shortcut, but it still imparts MUCH more to the student of music than any purchased or otherwise automatically derived solo transcription can, for memorizing from the page is not improvisation, it is just trying to convert improvisation into the "read and playback" of classical music. In some things the old ways are still the best.
Whatever you do will certainly help, though. Just do it.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
That said, by far the better way to deal with solo transcription is to bite the bullet and actually transcribe the solos yourself note-for-note and phrase-for-phrase, then analyze each phrase over the chords, getting inside the mind of the original soloist. It is not a shortcut, but it still imparts MUCH more to the student of music than any purchased or otherwise automatically derived solo transcription can, for memorizing from the page is not improvisation, it is just trying to convert improvisation into the "read and playback" of classical music. In some things the old ways are still the best.
Wow Mac, in all your many posts, this one is the best for me!! Great advice, and when I started Transcribing myself, a whole new world of music opened for me. I actually found that learning the solo on your instrument WITHOUT writing it out first, is the best way because when you play along with the solo, you are getting the energy of that player, your time and delivery gets so much better when you do improvise on your own. THEN you should go ahead and write it out........
As usual, Mac is right on the money!
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78 |
Sure, you are both right, and I have been transcribing the old way for some time now. But dammit, it is a slog! I just think it would be more fun to read while you slow down and loop. If Charlie Parker could have done it this way when learning all those Prez solos, dontcha think he would have?
Oh, and Mac, you mention "ACW" and "Beat Map", what the hell are these things? And would you advise another note editing program to "clean up" before bringing it in to BIAB?
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