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How to Convert CDs to Sheet Music

Transcribing your favorite songs to sheet music by ear and hand can be inefficient, as the manual process can be time consuming and inaccurate. MIDI transcription software takes the time and human error out of the process by performing instant digital transcription. Provided your personal computer has a CD writer drive and extraction software, you can convert the music to MIDI format from MP3 using a MIDI formatting conversion utility. From there you can use the MIDI transcription software to write the notes as sheet music.

Things You'll Need

  • Personal computer with CD writer drive
  • CD extraction software
  • MP3-to-MIDI conversion software
  • MIDI transcription software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Extract the music from the CD into MP3 format on your computer. Load the CD into your CD writer drive. Launch your CD extraction software, such as iTunes or Windows Media Player, and select "Import," "Extract" or "Rip" from the menu bar's "File" menu.

    • 2

      Purchase and install MP3-to-MIDI conversion software if you have not already done so. Try Widi Recognition System if you do not have such a utility in mind (see Resources).

    • 3

      Launch the MP3-to-MIDI converter and select "Open File" or "New File" from the "File" menu tab and locate an extracted track from the ensuing browser. You may also use a similarly labeled quick access button from the converter's main window if one is available.

    • 4

      Choose an instrument sound---such as guitar, piano or trumpet---that the converted MIDI will assume from the "Instrument" drop-down menu or list of available sounds.

    • 5

      Click the "Convert to MIDI" button on the converter's main window. Alternatively, you may use the "Save As" option from the "File" menu tab and select "MIDI" or ".mid" from the file type drop-down menu before saving. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for each song on the CD.

    • 6

      Purchase and install a MIDI notation utility. Try Notation if you do not have such a program in mind (see Resources).

    • 7

      Convert the MIDI to sheet music. Select "Open File" or "New File" from the "File" menu tab to load a converted MIDI track into the conversion utility. Push the "Convert" button from the main application window if the conversion does not begin automatically. Repeat this step for every converted track from your CD.

Digital Music

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