********************************************************* Music 2 Tab Demo (C) Copyright Kevin Hales 1994 M2T.Library (C) Family Productions 94 1994 All Rights Reserved Worldwide 15th March 1994 ********************************************************* Legal Jargon ------------ This Program is freely distributable provided that no more is charged than a nominal fee for copying and disk media. Permission is granted to include this Program in PD collections, especially in the excellent Fred Fish Amiga Disk Library (including CD ROM versions of it). This program may be uploaded to Bulletin Board Systems or FTP servers providing that this doc is included. This program can be copied and passed on to friends providing that this doc is copied with it. This Program and Tablature produced by it cannot be included or used in commercial programs of any type, without my written permission. Tablature produced by this program cannot be used in any form of publication, other than for reference purposes by the user, without my written permission. This Program and Tablature produced by it, cannot be included on any Magazine Cover Disk, without my written permission. The M2T Library, and files taken from it, may not be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission. M2T registered users are automatically given this permission, as long as it for personal use only. No M2T library files can be placed into PD, other than those on this disk, without written permission. To apply for permission, please write to the address at the end of this document. o o o O o o o Programmer's Message. ===================== General ------- Having been brow-beaten into defecting from the PC, where I wrote mainly database applications (just call me boring), and getting an Amiga I have now completed my first programming project. Unfortunately the program has a PC-DOS feel to it (old habits die hard) and, due to my general unfamiliarity with the system, it's a little rough at the edges. However Music2Tab demo & v1.26 are now both finished and fully working. I first started the M2T project on the PC, I wrote the Music2Tab converter code in a day and then spent a month just trying to get the graphics routines working, I was losing interest fast, I moved the project onto the Amiga after being told "what a great machine it was" although at the time I wasn't convinced. It took me a month to open a screen and then a window (a concept I wasn't used to) then a month to get the hang of the function libraries, but I was having fun, enjoying the challenge and eventually things fell into place and Music2Tab became a reality. I started the Music2Tab project in June 1993 and completed the Beta versions in Jan 1994 working usually in the twilight hours. Not bad considering I had never programmed an Amiga until then and knew very little about it's internal hardware/software. As with any program, Music2Tab would never have seen the light of day if it wasn't for several people around to support me in my hours of need and I was lucky enough to be surrounded with some of the greatest friends anyone would wish to have, I appreciate all they have done. So now it's time to mention the people who helped me along the way. The Acknowledgments. ------------------- Bob Stanley :- Thanks for the support (I'll wear it always), the gfx (I can't draw to save my life), For being a beacon of information (it saves me buying the mags), For pretending to believe me every time I said "Yes, you'll get a beta test version next week" (I first said it in September), for talking me into buying an Amiga (OK... so I'll probably never use my PC again), for writing all the docs (from the state of this one you can see why I didn't do it) and most importantly for being a great friend. Louise Stanley :- Where do I start? Thanks for the warmth, hospitality, food, coffee, for getting me drunk (1 glass of baccardi & coke and the brain cell goes on strike), for ringing me up and giving me a telling off when my recipe didn't work (it worked for me - honest), for sharing our birthday, for being a friend, for having a great personality & sense of humour, for just being there, for being married (tut tut tut), for being a beacon of light in an otherwise dull world, For being born, the list is endless, in actual fact pick any reason you like - she's the greatest and I'd marry her tomorrow (I hope her hubby doesn't read this, I don't like hospital food). Kaz & Mikey :- Two of the nicest, loving, thoughtful and all round great kids you are ever likely to meet. They brought such enlightening literature into my life I shall never forget classics such as "Mr Clever", "Mr Bump", "Mr Chatterbox" and the gripping 'where-is-he' thriller "Spot The Dog", to mention but a few. I love them both. Ron Fenwick (FOG) :- For getting me to pick a guitar in the first place (I might start playing it one day) and introducing me to the concept of tab. For letting me kip on the sofa the night I missed my last bus home (well I say kip - We stayed up till 5.45am in front of an hot Amiga 1500 designing a spreadsheet, excitement or what!). Corbett's :- Where Bob and I first met whilst slaving over hot keyboards (playing PSI Trading and Grand Prix Circuit, anything other than work), without which all this wouldn't have happened. Music2Tab is dedicated to Bob, Lou, Kaz & Mikey. If you find yourself using the demo regularly then please order the full version, detailed elsewhere in the docs. It's the only way to keep shareware alive and kicking. If you have any comments, suggestions or if you think you found a bug which you think we may have not noticed then write to us, we'd like to hear from the users. Anyway have fun and happy playing ALWAYS REMEMBER : THE PERMUTATIONS ARE IMMEASURABLE Kevin Hales. ********************************************************* Music2Tab ********************************************************* A little bit of history ----------------------- About a year ago, I talked Kevin into defecting from his slow and cumbersome PC and into buying an Amiga, so I take full credit for this program. This is Kevin's first venture into Pd/Shareware for the Amiga or any other type of computer, and he's done a bloody good job. M2T has been written entirely in "C" on an A500+ with 2meg of RAM:. Please don't blame Kev for the graphix, he didn't do them I did. We've learnt a lot over the last six months, and now we have a definite layout and color scheme for M2T v2 So far the early graphix for v2 are a vast improvement. System Requirements ------------------- 1 ... An Amiga, without one you may find it difficult to run. As far as we know, Music-2-Tab will/should work on all Amiga's. 2 ... If you are running this program from a second drive your PREFS should be set to 80 CHAR per line. If you cannot be bothered with that, just reboot with this disk. If you do have any problems, just return the disk stating your problem/s to the address at the end of this doc. Please remember to include a stamped self addressed envelope so we can return your disk. That's all there is to it, happy Tabbing What is Music-2-Tab ------------------- Most music books that you buy have either chords or chord boxes on the page, but, only the expensive display the Tablature. This is where M2T comes in. If you enter the notes into M2T it will work out the Tab for you, anywhere on the neck. In this version the save and print options have been disabled and there is a limit of 26 notes that you can enter instead of the normal 6000. In the full version you can save your Tab as a TEXT file, so you can add the words and chords to the song before you print it, or just print it there and then, or you can save it as a reloadable file, so that you can reload it into M2T if you haven't got a printer yet, like me! ********************************************************* Introduction to tablature ********************************************************* Tablature (TAB) is a system of writing down music for the guitar as well as for other fretted instruments. It has existed in various forms through the centuries and has been used for folk, flamenco, lute and most importantly ROCK music. It simply sets out the fingerings for a piece of music/lead riffs in a sort of shorthand. The system relies on you being able to hear a piece of music so that you are familiar with the rhythmic structure of the piece and the timing of the individual notes. In other words, it is used in conjunction with the memory. Compared with music notation it is easy to understand. However tablature cannot convey precise information about timing and the duration of notes. Nor does it help you to understand the harmonic structure of a piece in the way that notation can. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can do everything with tab that you can do with notation. Treat it as what it is - a form of short hand, but, if it is used alongside music notation it can be a very powerful tool indeed. Tab basics ---------- Tab is based on a six-line grid (as opposed to the five line grid of music notation), but the major difference is that each line represents one of the guitar strings. The top line is the 1st( top E or thin) string, and the bottom line is the 6th (bottom E or thick) string. The numbers that appear on the lines are fret numbers. So, a number 3 on the second line from the top, for example, tells you to place finger on the 3rd fret of the second string (the D note). An 0 on the same line indicates that you play an open string (no finger). How tab works ------------- This diagram shows the basic tab grid, six lines, each representing one of the guitar strings. The numbers indicate at which fret the note is to be played. Play the 2nd string open (unfretted) Play the 3rd fret \ ______ on the 2nd string \ / (the note D). \ / 1 .----\---------/---------------------- 2 |---- 0 ----- 3 ----- 0 ---------------- 3 |---------------------|------------------ 4 |---------------------|---------------- 5 |---------------------|----------------- 6 `-------------------- 3 --------------- / / Play both notes together. The melody note is B on the open 2nd string: bass note is G at the 3rd fret no the 6th string. Example ------- As above, this shows the scale of G at the 5th fret on the 4th string. 1 .----------+-----2-3-+-2--------+-------- 2 |----------+-3-5-----+---5-3----+------- 3 |----2-4-5-+---------+--------5-+-4-2------ 4 |-5--------+---------+----------+-----5-- 5 |----------+---------+----------+---------- 6 `----------+---------+----------+--------- If you still find the idea of tab confusing, don't worry, you will soon pick it up. ********************************************************* How to use your Music-2-Tab program. ********************************************************* How do I use it? ---------------- Just click on a note and place it on the stave, and the tab is automatically worked out and displayed on the screen. Below is the list of commands and a short summary of what each one does. Because Music 2 Tab is quite simple to use I haven't gone into to much detail, you should soon pick up the basics. Music2Tab - main screen ----------------------- _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _____________________________________7___________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------8------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________9__________________ _________________________________________________________ .-----------------------------1-------------------------. |-T-----------------------------2-----------------------| |-A-------------------------------3---------------------| |-B---------------------------------4-------------------| |-------------------------------------5-----------------| `---------------------------------------6---------------' .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. .-------.-------.-------.-----.---. | | | | | | | | | | | | K | N | Q | T | V | |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J| |---.---+---.---+---.---+-----+---| | | | | | | | | | | | | L | M | O | P | R | S | U | W | `-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-' `---^---^---^---^---^---^-----^---' 1 - 6 . Strings 7 - 9 . Stave The notes below have the English name first followed by the American name in brackets. A ..... Demi-semi-quaver ....... [Thirty second note] B ..... Semi-quaver ............ [Sixteenth note] C ..... Quaver ................. [Eighth note] D ..... Crochet ................ [Quarter note] E ..... Minim .................. [Half note] F ..... Semi Breve ............. [Whole note] G ..... Bar P ..... Tab [2] H ..... Natural Q ..... Scroll I ..... Sharp R ..... Scroll [1] J ..... Flat S ..... Scroll [2] K ..... New T ..... Load L ..... Rest U ..... Print Options M ..... Rest V ..... Save N ..... Tab Select (Retab) W ..... Quit O ..... Tab [1] Mouse Commands -------------- Left Button ... Pick up/Change note from the panel and place on the screen. Right Button .. Place mouse over the desired note and click to delete remove the note. Control Panel Commands ---------------------- New ........... Clears the screen without saving. Retab ......... Select your desired fret by clicking 1 of the 2 arrows underneath the tab box. When you are happy press the tab button to retabulate your file to your desired setting. Tab [1] ....... Moves the desired tab setting towards the first fret. Tab [2] ....... Moves the desired tab setting away from the first fret (down the neck). Scroll ....... LMB : scrolls the screen backwards. RMB : scrolls the screen forwards Scroll [1] .... LMB : Reduces scroll speed. RMB : Scroll backwards 1 note. Scroll [2]..... LMB : Increases scroll speed. RMB : Scroll forwards 1 note Load .......... Load a saved M2T file from disk. Print Options.. OPTION NOT AVAILABLE IN DEMO VERSION TO PRINTER: Sends the file straight to the printer. TO FILE : Saves as an ASCII file to disk, so that you can load it into any text editor to include words/chords etc. Save .......... OPTION NOT AVAILABLE IN DEMO VERSION Saves a file as a M2T reloadable file. Quit .......... Exit to Workbench Keyboard Commands (NOT AVAILABLE IN DEMO VERSION) ------------------------------------------------- Ctrl + S ...... Jump to start of a file. Ctrl + E ...... Jump to end of a file. Selecting/Deselecting a Sharp,Flat or Natural --------------------------------------------- To place a Sharp,Flat or Natural just click the appropriate icon and select the note required. To deselect just click the icon again. Loading a file -------------- As yet, M2T has no real requester, so click the load option and type the path/name of the file you wish to load. e.g. DF0:Tab/House-rising-sun.tab Notes (Equivalent values) ------------------------- Over the last week I've tried to write a few short paragraphs explaining (in a simple, yet, informative way) about Time values, notes, rests, note divisions and equivalent values, and failed totally. The more I try it seems the less I understand. All that I can say is go to you local library and see what they have. Semi Breve ............. [or Whole note] Minim .................. [or Half note] Crochet ................ [or Quarter note] Quaver ................. [or Eighth note] Semi-quaver ............ [or Sixteenth note] Demi-semi-quaver ....... [or Thirty second note] All notes are simple multiples of one another. Two minims equal a semi breve, two crochets equal a minim and so on. ********************************************************* Registration and M2t Library Details ********************************************************* If you like the demo version, then why not register? As a registered user you will get our M2T hotline support number, for any problems, queries or just a natter, and be entitled to use the exclusive M2T library (see below). You can also get free bug fixed updates and a 50% reduction of all future major revisions. Updates (Bug fixes/New versions) -------------------------------- As a registered user, you will be notified about all bug fixes. These versions will be available to you for free, if you send us the usual Stamped self addressed envelope and disk (with a little 1.3 compatible software on it please). Or you could send £2.50, to cover the price of the disk and postage. New versions ------------ Registered users will be notified about new versions of M2T (The Next Generation), and because you are a reg user you will get a 50% reduction off the price. M2T Library ----------- For registered users of M2T we have setup the M2T.Lib, and it's free. The idea is very simple, as well as the music that we Tab, registered users send us the text & reloadable files that they do, (on a disk, with a self stamped addressed envelope, so that we can return it), the files are then entered into the library and the disk is then returned full of new files. If there is a specific song or type of music that you require all you have to do is ask. It's a good idea, but, without your support it will die. Why spend £'s on books when with a little effort you might be able to get it free. Price Structure --------------- £10.00 ..... We supply disk and pay P&P £ 7.50 ..... You send us a disk full of any software (1.3 compatible please) that you choose and enclose a Stamped Self Addressed envelope. Your disk will be returned to you containing M2T 1.26 and songs from the M2t.Library within 48hrs. Register with M2T & Guitar Chord Dir Vol2 together. £15.00 ..... We supply disk and pay P&P £10.00 ..... You send us a disk full of any software that you choose and enclose a Stamped Self Addressed envelope. Your disk will be returned to you containing M2T 1.26 and GCD vol2 plus songs from the M2t.Library within 48hrs Payment Please make all Cheques/ Postal Orders ------- payable to Bob Stanley. Contact ------- Bob Stanley 13 Canterbury Avenue Willenhall West Midlands England WV13 1JG Tel Available to Reg users only. ********************************************************* What we would like to see in future versions ********************************************************* Coming up is a short list of options that we would like to put in the next/future versions. If you can think of anything else then please write to us with your ideas. 1].. A decent requester. 2].. A built in text editor. 3].. The ability to include chords over the tab. 4].. To be able to edit the tab (place slides/bends etc). 5].. Join the appropriate notes together. 6].. Add ties to the notes. 7].. The ability to place key signatures. 8].. Print the notation and tab (kev doesn't know about this one yet, he'll have kittens when he reads it). We hope that you enjoy this proggy and register soon. This doc has been written by Bob Stanley for Kevin Hales. 13 March 1994