paul@aucs.UUCP (06/12/87)
I want to thank everyone who replied to my request for information on
music theory software. I haven't followed up all the leads, but we
seem to have a pretty good start. Unfortunately, the courseware for
an entire theory course (such as the MUSICOM course for IBM-PCs) has yet
to be found. The music department is also interested in courseware
for keyboard harmony and/or functional keyboard and/or jazz or rock
piano (which is part of the MUSICOM course). Any info would be
appreciated.
Here is the promised summary of everything I've gotten to date.
Paul H. Steele UUCP: {seismo|watmath|utai|garfield}!dalcs!aucs!Paul
Acadia University BITNET: {Paul|phs}@Acadia
Wolfville, NS Internet: {Paul|phs}%Acadia.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
CANADA B0P 1X0 PHONEnet: (902) 542-2201x587
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From: dalcs!seismo!scubed!sdcsvax!jww (Joel West)
I'd check with either Brown or Dartmouth Music departments. I've
heard they have such programs and are using Mac's for the purposes
you describe. If not, they're certainly working on it.
Brown is in Providence, Rhode Island. Darthmouth is in Hannover, NH.
Apple's Wheel for the Mind would also help (a catalog of college uses
of the Mac) but I don't have it. Any Apple sales rep should.
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From julian@riacs.edu
You may want to check with MacroMind Inc. in Chicago, the people who
made VideoWorks and MusicWorks. They seem to be the most active in
doing CAI (a couple of their people are with the Vivarium project) and
should have at least some ideas of whether anybody has done what you're
looking for.
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From dalcs!seismo!cory.berkeley.edu!korn
There's a program just out called Listen. I don't have any more info on
it here. If you wanna call me at work tomorrow (sometime after 12:00 noon
California time), I can get you more info.
I've not used the program yet (no time), but plan to. My understanding is
that it's basically an ear training program. Plays various intervals,
and chords, etc. and quizzes the person. Stuff like that.
If you want to talk to me in person, I'm at Winner's Circle 10am - 6pm
most days (California time). (415) 845-4814.
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From hmo@browncs (bitnet)
There's some such stuff in use and being written here,
at Brown University. The people to talk to
about it are tjc@iris (bitnet) and was@browncs (bitnet).
tcj is Tim Catlin who wrote most of the software. was is
Andy Schloss, a professor in the music department.
It was used in a music theory class in the fall.
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From dalcs!seismo!tekig4.tek.com!bradn
I recently wrote a Macintosh program to teach myself to
recognize and write musical intervals. The program (and its source) is
in the public domain. If you would like a copy, send me your mailing
address and I'll air mail a copy to you.
The program provides three ways of knowing the interval:
It can play it (via the Mac speaker);
It can draw it (along with a key signature) on a staff;
It can name its quality and size (e.g., "Diminished Fifth").
The program chooses a key signature and an interval at random, then the student
attempts to identify the interval. The student can choose which of the three
methods (sound, notation, name) the program provides and which the student
provides (the program doesn't support any sound input).
Brad Needham
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From: David D. Levine <dalcs!seismo!hplabs!intelca!mipos3!inteloe!davidl>
There are two or three such programs in Kinko's Academic Courseware
Exchange. Stop by your local Kinko's Copy Center or call 805-967-0192
(800-235-6919 in the US, 800-292-6640 in California) for a catalog.
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From: dalcs!@sq.sq.com:harvard!wiscvm.wisc.edu!UMASS.BITNET!BOGARTZ@sq
I don't know of anything that does real theory, but there is something that
might help. It is called Ear Training Expert. It is very user-programmable
so it might allow you to create theory lessons. For more information, contact
Jim Romeo at (617) 498-2198, PO Box 1103, Cambridge MA 02138.
By the way, you might also be interested in a publication of the Boston
Computer Society called "Soundwaves." It is the newsletter of the BCS's
Music and Computers Group. I just happen to be the editor, and if you wish
a complimentary copy, please send me your USMail address.
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From: tjc%iris.bitnet@RELAY.CS.NET
We have a prototype piece of software that would meet your requirements.
The program was developed on the IBM RT PC using Cadmac (a UNIX
implementation of the Macintosh Toolbox) which is owned by Apple Computer.
Due to licensing agreements with Apple we are unable to distribute the
software. A conversion to the Mac+ is under way, but I'm doing it in my spare
time so I cannot guarantee a date at which it will become available.
As to Listen, it is a great starting program. The developer seems quite
capable, and has been careful not to bite off more than he can chew in
each release (I think he's at least up to a 2.1 release now).
Listen does not have MIDI capabilities at this writing, and only has the
beginnings of graphical representation of the score. The developer says
these are areas where he is working so you might see them in the next release.
It is a very reasonably priced piece of software, and is musically accurate.
Good luck with your search.