Sequencing in Reason

Music Notation

Topics This Week

MIDI Music Files
How is notation software used?
Working with notation software
This Week's Assignment
Review Questions
Vocabulary

MIDI Music Files

Standard MIDI Files (SMF) are a standard, cross-platform file format that can be read by sequencing, notation and multimedia applications from different manufacturers. Most MIDI sequencing applications can save as these types of files. Reason and Finale are able to open and save SMFs, while GarageBand can only open them.

Types of Standard MIDI files:

Type 0: Single track - all events on all channels are in a single track
Type 1: Multi track - events on separate tracks, arranged by MIDI Channel.

General MIDI: An addition to the MIDI specification that standardizes the performance of software and hardware instruments. In order for a device to be considered GM compatible it must have the following capabilities:

Program Map - Defines the type of Synthesizer patch to be associated with a given program number.
Drum Map - Defines what drums sounds will be assigned to MIDI notes on Channel 10.
16 channel Multitimbral, 24 voice polyphony.
Performance:
- Receive and interpret velocity data.
- Aftertouch
- Pitchbend ( default + or - a whole step)
- Controllers:
- 1 Mod Wheel
- 7 Volume
- 10 Panning
- 11 Expression
- 64 sustain pedal
System: All Notes Off & System Reset
Middle C= note 60

Standard MIDI Files in General MIDI format are commonly found on the Web and can be played back on virtually any recent computer, from your internet browser, without additional hardware. For MIDI playback on any platform check out Quicktime.

Follow this link for a reference guide to the General MIDI program and drum map: GM_program_map.pdf

How is Notation Software Used?

Our system of music notation has evolved over 600 years. Musicians have learned to translate symbols into musical ideas. How does a computer translate musical ideas into notation? Let's start by taking a look at some of the ways that musicians use notation software.

Production of scores for distribution and publication. The computer is needed to manage graphics and page layout.
Arranging existing works. The computer is needed to copy and paste musical elements such as sections of a form or individual measures.
Production of parts for performance (instrument transpositions) The computer is needed to understand and interpret staves, keys and transposition.
Proofing scores or arrangements. The computer is needed to interpret notated pitches, durations and perhaps dynamics.
Creation of new compositions. The computer needs to interpret musical input from a composer.

Working With Notation Software

Input Methods How do we get musical information into the computer?

Graphically - Notes are entered as graphics. Pitch and duration are assigned. This is done using Simple or Speedy Note Entry in Finale.
Real-Time - Musical passages are played into the computer and interpreted. This is done using HyperScribe in Finale.
MIDI File Import – The notes events in a Standard MIDI File are interpreted as standard music notation.

Editing

Some basic functions:

Copy and Paste of measures in a single or group of staves.
- Insert – measures are added.
- Replace – measures are copied over.
Transposition - selected material is moved to another pitch level either chromatically or by key.

Output:

How does the printed page look? Generally you'll have control over:

Beaming and spacing - How notes and symbols are laid out.
Page layout - How measures appear on a page, the number of staves per line, orientation, etc.
Text - How lyrics, titles, chord symbols, performance notes, etc. appear on the printed page.

Reference and Tutorial Acrobat files :

MTEC-111 Finale Guide 1.3

Lead Sheet Project

Demonstrate your ability to communicate a basic musical idea in standard music notation by producing a lead sheet, using Finale. You can choose any piece of music, original or not, as long as the final printed version contains the following elements:

A single melody line and chord changes.
An appropriate key and time signature.
A double bar line to indicate section changes and an final bar line at the end.
Printed text indicating title, composer, your name, student number, and course section.

Check the Assignments section in the Course Companion Website for project due dates.

Review Questions

What is the difference between a Type 0 and Type 1 Standard MIDI File?
What capabilities does a synthesizer need to be General MIDI compatible?
What are the instrument families represented in the General MIDI program map?
What MIDI notes are assigned to basic drum kit sounds in the General MIDI drum map?
What MIDI channel is reserved for drum sounds in General MIDI?
What are some common uses for music notation software?
How are notes graphically entered in Finale?
What are two ways that Finale can enter notes from a musical performance?
What is the difference between Insert and Replace when pasting measures in Finale?
What specific aspects of the printed page can be edited in Finale?

Notation Vocabulary

Standard MIDI File
General MIDI
Program Map
Drum Map
Simple Note Entry (Finale)
Speedy Note Entry (Finale)
HyperScribe (Finale)
Insert Paste
Replace Paste
Transpose
Beaming
Spacing