Click here to view or KeyBoard Selection from M-Audio How It Works With
a music notation software program and through the power of MIDI
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - a connection that translates
what you play into the computer into notes on the stave, you can not
only play the melody line, but add bass parts - even arrange for an
entire orchestra if you wish. You simply play each part and it appears
on the screen, all laid out. All you have to do is play them back and
make adjustments as you need, then print them out.
For
those who do not read music, it has many uses. If you have pieces
you've composed that you'd like others - who do read music - to play,
you could use musical notation software instead of employing a
professional transcriber, which is time-consuming and expensive. You
can have any MIDI file transcribed, even those you find online. You can
set up exercises for music pupils (including yourself!), or even
transpose the key in which it's written.
One of the biggest advantages to music notation software is
that it can act as a notepad for an idea. When a melody comes to mind,
play it on a MIDI instrument and you have it all notated and ready to
go back to later. You don't have to worry about remembering it. It
allows you to try out different arrangements, to see what works and
what doesn't, and how the different parts mesh. Before this you either
had to have several instruments and play them well (plus recording
gear, of course), or a strong knowledge of music theory. This makes
music more democratic and accessible.
The downside is that you need a MIDI instrument to effectively
enter the notes and information. You must also be a fluent player to
execute the tune properly and the notation software will allow you
literally compose on screen, with a MIDI playback through your
speakers, and you can then make your adjustments.
