Reading sheet music with software aid

[theWalrus]

Folks, I'm sure you've been there: learn the basics of reading music and then you open the score and there's way too complicated things to figure out, but when you listen to the song, it's simple.

Do you happen to know a good software that takes a scanned image or PDF, recognizes it, and then plays the bits you're interested in?

That, to me, is a great way to learn music, as you hear it right while looking at the sheet; soon enough you don't need the software. I've tried Guitar Pro, but it doesn't seem to have that image recognition capability. I also tried SmartScore, and it was frustrating: both getting music to be recognized and playing it back. It sounded way too synthesized; it was like an audiologist's frequency recognition test. I can read tabs, but even tabs can get way too complicated if you want to learn something great.

I know, ear training by itself is an essential skill that helps, but that's kind of a way of working on it too.

Do you know any great guitarist-friendly software for scanned tabs and learning music?

Thanks!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

Sorry, do not know of anything like that.

 

[cream123]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

my suggestion is by trial and error...Its frustrating in short run but it definitely is worth in the long run.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

Why not try some software that translates the music into written music.
Do it the other way around. i'm sure you could isolate parts with such software.

 

[theWalrus]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

Why not try some software that translates the music into written music.
Do it the other way around. i'm sure you could isolate parts with such software.

"software that translates the music into written music" I've never heard of that. What's the name?

I've heard "finale" is one of the very best packages, and I'm planning to try it. I wish I could hear the played back parts like a real guitar, not some cheap-sounding midi.

Hopefully one day my ears and hands will do all the work, but I think this a good way to get started.

my suggestion is by trial and error...Its frustrating in short run but it definitely is worth in the long run.

Yup. Trial and error is unavoidable. I'm just looking for something to help me do that efficiently.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

This one gives you a choice of sampled instruments for play back. it writes, converts to tabs for guitar, etc.
- http://www.sibelius.com/products/avid_scorch/index.html?intcmpid=SB-HP-AUMU1 -

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

- http://www.intelliscore.net/ -

 

[theWalrus]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

This one gives you a choice of sampled instruments for play back. it writes, converts to tabs for guitar, etc.
- http://www.sibelius.com/products/avid_scorch/index.html?intcmpid=SB-HP-AUMU1 -

Thanks for the tip. That's Sibelius. I'll give it a try.

- http://www.intelliscore.net/ -

This one is different. From MP3 to multi-track midi (separate midi tracks per instrument)? That's amazing! With this one I can go from a recording to sheet music, once I import the midi into something like Sibelius. It's a natural route for someone trying to transcribe recordings. Really cool.

Thank you so much. I'll check them out.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

why don't you just learn to read?

Music is a language. Becoming musically literate is worth the effort.

Think about how kids learn to read and write...first they learn the alphabet. Think of that as "the basics" that you mentioned earlier in that you can recognize each individual note the same way a young child might spell out C-A-T before they can understand "the cat sat on the mat". Then they read more and more slightly more complex books until they can read fluently. At that point they have increased their literacy. The next level comes when they can use their literacy to explore other areas of knowledge and then they can really stretch their wings.
Music is no different to any other language.

Become powerfully literate musically and you wont need to find tools to make being musically illiterate easier. Music is a lifelong pursuit and we can all keep learning and discovering for as long as we live. You might find that it opens creative avenues that you didn't even know existed.

 

[theWalrus]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

why don't you just learn to read?

I am learning to read music, but the "just" is not as simple as it sounds:

- When you pick up a book, most of what they tell you is "FACE" and "All Cows Eat Grass"... and good luck!

- Songbooks do have a notation explanation, but lots of times you see more complicated notation in the song.

With software help, I'm hoping to figure out the sounds by hearing the playback: you can zoom into notes and chords, and associate the musical notation to the sound. And while doing that and learning the old way, I guess you learn faster. That's what I hope.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Reading sheet music with software aid

I am learning to read music

keep going. it's not easy but it gets easier. Get a good method and stick at it. Steer clear of shortcuts (such as tabs and play alongs). It will pay off long term.