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How to Convert MIDI Keyboard Inputs Into Sheet Music

Many musicians and composers look for ways to quickly and easily convert Musical Instrument Digital Interface keyboard inputs into sheet music. A MIDI keyboard allows music that is played on the keyboard and saved as a MIDI file to link directly to a computer with music notation software. The music notation software can then convert these sounds into readable sheet music that can be further analyzed and expanded upon or used for performance. Converting these keyboard inputs into MIDI files and then into sheet music is often the first of many steps of the creative process.

Things You'll Need

  • USB MIDI interface
  • Music notation software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect your MIDI keyboard to your computer using a Universal Serial Bus MIDI interface. Older computers may have a five-pronged MIDI input that connects directly to its sound card, but newer computers connect using a USB port. When using a USB MIDI interface, you need to install the drivers for the USB connection. These are found on a CD-ROM included with the interface.

    • 2

      Open the music notation software program you'll be using to convert your MIDI file. Configure the MIDI connections by choosing "MIDI in" as the source. This tells the computer program where the MIDI files are coming from.

    • 3

      Download the MIDI keyboard file into the music notation program. Depending on the type of software you use and the specifications of the MIDI file, you may see a single voicing or multiple voicings on different staves. You can also put MIDI keyboard inputs into the program one note or chord at a time as you play each on the keyboard.

    • 4

      Edit your completed sheet music file by adding any expressive or interpretive markings and tempo changes and checking for note inaccuracies. Many music notation software programs include a playback feature so that you can hear the finished product and make any necessary changes based on what you hear.

Digital Music

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