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How to Turn CD Music Into Sheet Music

Oddly enough, there is no software quick-fixes available to transcribe a CD into written notes. Software such as Notation Composer and MIDI Illustrator will help you to transcribe a MIDI track into a score, but to go from listening to a song on your boom box to having the sheet music is a difficult process. There are however, ways to do it but all of them will involve you listening fastidiously to the track.

Things You'll Need

  • Software to slow tracks, such as Amazing SlowDowner or Music Analyzer
  • Software to transcribe notes, such as Sebelius is excellent
  • MIDI keyboard
  • MIDI Illustrator
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Instructions

  1. Transcribing the Music

    • 1

      If you are working with Notation Composer or Notation Musician, you can use the search function to find MIDI files on line. Once you've located MIDI files of the song you want to translate, convert the MIDI file to a written score in the "Options" menu.

      If you are not fortunate enough to have MIDINotate, you can download a trial version or you can transcribe it manually.

      For manual translation, try Sebelius for notation and one of the many software packages for slowing music down. Demo versions are available for most.

    • 2

      Start with the easy part. Find the solo or the refrain, and transcribe that first. Solos can be easy because there is basically only one instrument to deal with. The refrain is also a good place to start because its easy to pick out the melody. Starting with the refrain knocks out a lot of work at once.

    • 3

      Once you've got your score written, play back the MIDI version and compare it with the CD version. The more you listen to it, the more likely you are to get it right.

Digital Music

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