anybody else learn charts this way?

[tuBass]

I find the easiest way for me to learn a new tune is to do an internet search for the song in MIDI format, open up the song into finale, extract the bass part, and just read the chart.

60 seconds later, I have a bass part i can sight read on a moments notice.

anybody?

[BassChuck]

I've done that, but you are putting a degree of trust in the person who programed the MIDI file. Most are pretty good and close enough that a few little changes are all that is needed.

Some files, if they are recorded via keyboard in real time will be quite a mess when you open the Finale file, so you really need to have your Finale chops in order. Also, depending on the music, if there is a slight change of tempo it can reak havoc on the notation... and triplets are sometimes a hassle going from the Standard MIDI format to a notation program.

All in all, its a fast way to get a part together and can be a real help for some of the difficult to hear parts.

[billjr]

Now hold on. You need to do a bit more 'splainin for those of us who are not in the know about this. Can you be more explicit about this technique?

[tuBass]

ok, first download a midi file off the net

then, download a trial version of finale or printmusic (finale light)

open the midi file into finale (you'l have the use the "open with" function

it will open up the song in score form, with each instrument or voice on it's own line of the staff.

extract the bass part, and it will open up into it's own file without the rest of the parts

save that part, and print it

there you go a ready to order bass part to just about any piece of popular music, and it can be transposed at will


I find most of the time the files are very acurate, and if not, there's bound to be another version of the same song out there. It took me a couple tries to get a good file for "Something" by the beatles

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

you are putting a degree of trust in the person who programed the MIDI file

+1

People make mistakes... a lot of mistakes. Also, the part they create might not be a "typical" bass part. I've heard many variations on the same song in midi format. It depends on the individual that sequenced the material. I just write out my own parts. That way I know they're right. If I do make mistakes, they're a learning experience because I have to figure out what I did wrong. For myself, I wouldn't take a midi file bass line to a gig.

Joe

[All_¥our_Bass]

^ But it can still be very helpful in many various situations.