Index:MIDI Basics is the newest entry in the Ultimate Beginner Tech Start Series published by Warner Brothers. This is an especially good resource for someone who is just beginning to use MIDI technology, because it goes through in a systematic manner all of the steps needed to get a MIDI system working, explains the history and purpose of MIDI without using a lot of technical jargon, and describes a lot of the terminology the the MIDI user will need to understand. It gives a clear explanation of different ways to set up equipment, what you need to get started, and how to use things like Standard MIDI Files, that you can download from the Internet. The six chapters in the book are What is MIDI?, A Little History, Types of MIDI Instruments and Devices, Getting Started, Computers and MIDI, and Playing MIDI Files. Even if you already have some knowledge of how to use MIDI, the book is useful because of its illustrations, diagrams, and troubleshooting sections. And its $9.95 price makes it a bargain for the information it contains. MIDI Basics is available wherever Warner Brothers music publications are sold. 56 pages, including glossary. To order MIDI Basics on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
This book is designed to help you get started in the complex world of computers and music. Although you might know a lot of the information already, chances are that many of the points covered in this book are not totally familiar, and it is nice to have a book that takes you from square one while summarizing a lot of information in a cogent and accessible manner. Chapter One takes you through the architecture and formats of the personal computer, explaining a lot of the basic terms and concepts in the process. Chapter Two discusses how to configure your computer so that it is capable of making and playing music, with clear information about how to hook it up for MIDI and digital playback. Chapter Three surveys different types of music applications you can use with your system, including music literature CD-ROMs, ear training and theory software, and software that develops instrumental skills. Chapter Four describes the differences between music notation and sequencing software. Chapter Five delves into digital recording and sound design applications, while Chapter Six covers personal productivity and organization software. The $9.95 price is very reasonable for the amount of information Musicians and Computers has. Musicians and Computers is available wherever Warner Brothers music publications are sold. 64 pages, including a new computer comparison checklist that is helpful to use when shopping for a new computer. To order Musicians and Computers on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
With the use of the Internet making a profound change on people's personal lives, and in the way that school instruction is delivered, Musicians and the Internet gives a solid introduction to the protocols and resources available to musicians, educators, and students. A brief introductory chapter describes the origins of the Internet and some of its basic terms and concepts. The second chapter discusses how to connect to the Internet, and the hardware and software needed to do this. Accessing the resouces of the Internet through http and ftp are covered in the third chapter. The fourth chapter covers Internet resources for musicians with lists and descriptions of different kinds of music sites, types of audio file used on the Internet, and how to download files. Chapter Five covers communications over the Internet, including e-mail, news groups, and how to collaborative using shared files. Finally, the book discusses how to promote your own work on the Internet by creating your own web site. Musicians and the Internet is available wherever Warner Brothers music publications are sold. 64 pages, $9.95 retail price. To order Musicians and the Internet on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
Multimedia, the combination of text, graphics, video, sound and music in an interactive digital medium, presents great opportunities for music educators. While many people are trained in graphics, text processing, and the use of pictures or video, sound is an area where few people have expertise. Yet music and digital sound are very important elements in multimedia, and many career opportunities are now available in this area. Musicians and Multimedia defines the basic elements of the medium and how to use them, discusses how to configure your computer for multimedia, and describes how to create music for multimedia and how to work with audio in multimeda. The book finishes by showing how music and sound are used on the world wide web. 64 pages. $9.95. To order Musicians and Multimedia on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
Sooner or later every musician who uses technology will discover a need for the use of music sequencing to compose, arrange, edit, or record music. This book provides a clear introduction about sequencing hardware and software used during the process. Organized into three chapters, the first deals with the basics of what a sequencer can do, the different types of sequencers, what sequencer data consists of, and how to set up tracks and playback instruments. Chapter Two covers how to use sequencers, describing their controls, methods of recording data, editing techniques, and the use of sound editing controllers. The third chapter discusses power features like score printing from sequencer files, digital audio sequencers, and syncronization to video. A list of sequencer software products, periodicals about electronic music, and the General MIDI list of sounds completes the publication. Sequencing Basics is available wherever Warner Brothers music publications are sold. 40 pages, $9.95. To order Sequencing Basics on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
While the synthesizer and computer are known to have a profound effect on the creation and performance of modern music, they can also be useful tools in the study of classical repertoire. All it takes is the correct translation of the stylistic and technical elements of classical music into the modern languages of sequencing and sound synthesis. Sequencing Music of the Classical Era was written to assist the student, guided by a trained teacher, to explore the many facets of classical literature through the preparation of MIDI sequences. Works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, C.P.E. Bach, Gluck, Boccherini, Dittersdorf, Boyce, Hüllmandel, and Gassmann ranging in size and complexity from two-track keyboard pieces to nine-track orchestral movements provide the student with a wide variety of genres and forms to work with. The literature contained in the book has been used as coursework in the International Baccaluareate program in electronic music by students at San Jose High Academy. The opening section of the book, "Preparing for Sequencing", contains articles on selecting and processing the sounds, using computer software to program the sequences, and editing procedures for sequenced tracks. The music follows, organized into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of difficulty. Each work is prefaced with an introductory article describing important stylistic or analytical features of the music along with tips for preparation of the actual sequence tracks. Special features in this edition include conversion tables for articulation and velocity, a detailed glossary of terminology, special editing of the selected literature to reflect suggested tracking schemes, complete notation of all ornamentation, and a revised measure numbering system that corresponds with the actual measures used in each sequence. Besides their use as instructional materials for teaching sequencing, the works in this book can be used for keyboard ensemble music, accompaniment and performance tapes for solo and chamber groups, or for student portfolios. 127 pages. Classroom set and site license pricing available. To order Sequencing Music of the Classical Era on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
This book explains in detail how to develop a curriculum that uses technology, whether you are starting from a single work station or planning an entire MIDI classroom. The book provides information on the selection of hardware components such as computers, keyboards, networking, and classroom furniture. However, the majority of the book's content focuses on your role as a teacher: how to integrate and use music software in a wide variety of music curriculum applications. Chapters in the book include Selecting and Installing the Hardware, Developing a Curriculum, Teaching Music Fundamentals with MIDI Software, Teaching Music Theory with MIDI Software, Using Computer Software to Teach Music Appreciation and History, Using MIDI to Improve Performance Skills, Using MIDI to Notate, Sequence, and Play Back Music, and Using MIDI to Create, Edit, and Store Sound. The book contains sample lesson plans and shows typical correlation of these activities to state frameworks in the performing arts. 99 pages. To order The School MIDI Lab on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
Educators interested in MIDI-assisted instruction or other methods of integrating technology with music instruction in the secondary schools can now obtain the complete electronic music curriculum taught at San Jose High Academy. This curriculum was certified as a School Based Syllabus by the International Baccalaureate Board of Examinations in 1990. The book contains a complete breakdown of the curriculum at San Jose High Academy, including a statement of philosophy, student profile, educational aims and performance criteria, and conceptual framework. The book defines student requirements in music history/literature, music theory and composition, music technology, and performance. Complete course outlines are provided for each level of the curriculum. Also included are assessment methods and procedures for the Syllabus, including essay, listening, analysis, and portfolio formats, a time frame for the curriculum sequence, a description of the staffing, resource personnel, facilities and equipment, libraries and collections, selected bibliography, and an annotated software list. The publication is updated periodically. 79 pages. To order The IB Curriculum in Electronic Music on-line or by mail, click here. Return to the Books Index
Written by David S. Mash, called "the industry's leading evangelist
for the marriage of music and technology" by Rolling Stone magazine,
this book is essential for anyone interested in multimedia production. The
Macintosh Multimedia Machine is a comprehensive, learn-by-doing guide
to multimedia production on the Mac. Thoroughly integrated and completely
hands-on, this book/CD-ROM combination helps you tackle the issue of video,
audio, MIDI synthesizers, and more. The book explores sound fundamentals,
digital video and audio, audio CDs, synthesizer hardware, and interactivity.
The HyperCard tools included for free with the book are worth the price
alone. The book is available from SYBEX, Inc. 2021 Challenger Drive, Alameda,
CA 94501, telephone (800) 277-2346 or through your local book store. Return to the Books Index