Trickey Music Tech Question
Hello. Here is a music technology question. What I would like to do is get a better feeling of playing an instrument.
You have probably seen lights that blink in all types of patterns and light up in sequences, as well as lights that go on when you clap. I would like this same effect, but in MIDI. When my system hears a sound, I would like the MIDI file to step advance to the next note of the MIDI sequence.
One reason I have for trying to put together this technique is because as a composer, I do not focus on my physical abilities of playing music, but perhaps I can get better in the performance aspect if I just focus on the rhythm.
In Pro Tracks Plus, (or SONAR) I use the Key Binding settings and bind all the piano keys to the Program's command in the Staff view of \"Next Note.\" (I also bind another unused control to \"Previous Note.\") Now, I can play the rhythm of the song and never make a pitch or interval related mistake.
How would I use a non-MIDI instrument?
I also would like to use real samples of my own guitar.
How would I play an instrument along with audio tracks, and out of sync?
If the trasks are out of sync, I could change my performance style without feeling a \"lip-sync\" effect.
It would feel like I am playing the right notes, without thinking of fingering or intervals and just focusing on rhythm.
This is just wondering. If anyone can answer, it would be awsome.
Dave.
You have probably seen lights that blink in all types of patterns and light up in sequences, as well as lights that go on when you clap. I would like this same effect, but in MIDI. When my system hears a sound, I would like the MIDI file to step advance to the next note of the MIDI sequence.
One reason I have for trying to put together this technique is because as a composer, I do not focus on my physical abilities of playing music, but perhaps I can get better in the performance aspect if I just focus on the rhythm.
In Pro Tracks Plus, (or SONAR) I use the Key Binding settings and bind all the piano keys to the Program's command in the Staff view of \"Next Note.\" (I also bind another unused control to \"Previous Note.\") Now, I can play the rhythm of the song and never make a pitch or interval related mistake.
How would I use a non-MIDI instrument?
I also would like to use real samples of my own guitar.
How would I play an instrument along with audio tracks, and out of sync?
If the trasks are out of sync, I could change my performance style without feeling a \"lip-sync\" effect.
It would feel like I am playing the right notes, without thinking of fingering or intervals and just focusing on rhythm.
This is just wondering. If anyone can answer, it would be awsome.
Dave.
Comments
Sounds a bit like \"air guitar\" to me. I suppose you could have someone program a sound activated switch, like our chase lights on stage which are triggered by the drum beat, and have that advance a midi file. Problem is, I don't know if you could have it triggered by a specific sound. I have a electronic saxaphone with midi output, and one could play the sax and at the same time send a midi signal down the cable. There are midi guitars, and maybe midi pickups (not sure), but they never really caught on as far as I know. But anything with midi attached could send a signal to your program and advance the file, in theory, with the right programming.
I don't know what level of a musician you are at, but when I learn new songs I usually have to slow the tempo down to a pace that I can actually play the song. As I practice, I start speeding up the tempo until I get it to performance tempo. Start slow to get there faster. It doesn't involve flashing lights, but playing slow, in time, forces you to feel the rhythm (but at a much slower tempo) while you are praticing your fingering on the guitar.
Again, another technique we used way back in high school band, when we had difficulty with rhythm, was to put our instruments on our laps and clap out the pattern. That frees you from having to play your instrument and allows you only to concentrate on the rhythm. Again, we would start out clapping on a slower tempo and working up to the performance tempo. But just clapping our parts allowed us to concentrate on the rhythm without worrying about playing our instruments. Similiarly, in choir, we would sometimes just sing \"La, la, la, la\" without words if we really were having difficulty with the rhythm of the piece. No lights, but it helps concentrate on getting the feel of the rhythm.
And, of course, nothing beats just listening to the song over, and over, and over, and over again to drill it into your head.
I was not sure if your goal is make a sound activated midi file advancer or if your goal was to \"feel the rhythm.\" At any rate, good luck on your quest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_harp
read at the bottom where they have integrated wii remotes on a new version