Music Software

Updated 23 January 2020   Return to Index
From the outset I have played my chromatic harmonicas and diatonic harps by ear. I am not a keyboard player and I am unable to read a score. The advantage of being able to play by ear is that it is spontaneous. The disadvantage of not playing along with other musicians or music on CDs etc. is that I have developed my own versions of melodies and timing. Now that I play the DM48, I am motivated to practice with more discipline by playing along with backing music in MP3 or MIDI format. After trying out a number of utilities including Harping MIDI, Music Animation Machine (MusAnim), and Midi Trainer, I have now settled down using the following software for that purpose.

Pitch Switch
I use Pitch Switch (Purchase) for learning how to play a new melody by ear. Pitch Switch can change the pitch and tempo of a melody which is in MP3 or MP4 format. A  particularly complicated section of the melody can be looped continuously. Audio content in MP4 files can be saved as an MP3 file. Convertilla  Free Video Converter can convert YouTube videos in MKV format to MP4. Pitch Switch can fade from stereo to left or right channel which is handy if backing music is on one channel and the melody is on the other. Pitch Switch also has a five band equalizer which is handy to reduce the impact of percussion intruments when practicing.

MidiEditor
I use MidiEditor (Freeware) for learning how to play a new melody using both visual anticipation of timing and changes in notes as well as hearing the melody. At times I want to hear only my own playing and the visual cues are handy for anticipation of timing  and reminders of changes in notes in the same way that a pianist reads a score.

MidiEditor provides a form of looping. The start of a loop can be selected by doubling clicking on the time line and pressing the space bar. Pressing the space bar ends the loop and pressing the space bar again restarts the loop.

The tempo of the melody can be slowed down or quickened by 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%.

MidiEditor shows different tracks or instruments in different colours so that the melody of a MIDI file can be followed when there is more than one instrument. Being an editor, it is possible to delete backing tracks and chords on a track to create melody only track.

TempoPerfect
For those who wish to play in time using a metronome, TempoPerfect (Free from NCH Software) is excellent. The software metronome uses an audio and/or visual beat.

Keyfinder
Keyfinder is OpenSource. I had no hesistation in making a donation. Drop and drag MP3 file (also other codecs) to find out what key the melody is in. This information can be written to the file. Batch processing is also available.

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