Traditional Irish Music

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE.

File formats

In addition to the Myriad sheet music format a variety of additional formats are provided to improve your access to the tune and allow you hear and manipulate it using your favourite software on your own PC. Each has its own advantage. The download options provided are:

1. PDF format. Portable Document Format. The sheet music in a format that can be saved on your computer and printed using the free Adobe Reader software, which can be found at::
Adobe Reader
This format is for viewing and printing only. It has no audio capabilities.

2. MP3 format. MP3 is a standard compressed audio format which is compatible with many music players such as the Apple iPod. This format can also be played by various software programs on your computer including Windows Media Player or “Amazing Slow Downer”.
With the “Amazing Slow Downer” software the speed and pitch of the tune can be adjusted as required and is an invaluable practice aid. This software also allow you to select a portion of the tune to play and loop through it. Essential to be able to focus in on that tricky piece. “Amazing Slow Downer” is shareware and can be found at www.ronimusic.com

The content of the MP3 file provided will be either a) a recording of the tune being played or b) a computer generated rendition, the same as the MIDI file, if a recording is not available.

3. MIDI, generated by computer directly from the sheet music; can be played in Windows Media Player on your computer.

4. abc format is a text based alternative to music notation, which is often easier to read for those not trained in reading musical notation. It is an international standard. There are various computer software packages which can read and play music files in abc format. These software programs usually allow manipulation of the tune through changing key and tempo and allowing the selection of sections to play. Further info can be found at:
http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/