Well, just for the fun of it (and to try out this ABC notation, which is new to me) I made my own little tune If you’ve got nothing better to do - please feel free to play it and let me know what you think. I try to learn from many different angles, I guess this is just one of them And don’t worry - it’s just for fun, so you can let me have it If you don’t wanna play you can hear it here: http://www.hum.aau.dk/~brianms/irish_flute/001_Brians_Reel.mp3
Oh, and for those who don’t yet know ABC notation - it’s quite easy:
When done - convert your notations to regular sheet music via http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html - where you see the finished result (also lets you print in PDF and hear it as a MIDI-file)
Best wishes,
Brian
X:1
T:Brian’s Reel
M:C|
L:1/8
K:G
ed|:B2 AB G2 DE|G2 BG AG E2|GABG AGEA|EAAB A2 ed|B2 AB G2 DE|G2 BG AG E2|GABG AGEe|1 dBAB G2 ed:|2 dBAB G2|]
ef|:gfeg fedB|ABGA BG E2|GABG AGEA|EAAB A2 ed|B2 AB G2 DE|G2 BG AG E2|GABG AGEe|1 dBAB G2 ef:|2 dBAB G2|]
May I offer a couple of abc suggestions to you and others?
First, for a reel, if you notate in eighth notes (L:1/8), you’re better off making the meter cut time (M:C|). That way the default speed is more reel-like.
Also, if a user wants to specify a tempo, that is done using the Q: field,
e.g.
Q:1/2=100
makes the 1/2 notes come out at 100 bpm, A nice reel tempo.
Also, I like to take advantage of the MIDI capabilities of my computer, so I use MIDI directives to change the instrument. After the K: line, put
%%MIDI program 72
which tells your computer to play a flute sound rather than the default piano sound. You can transpose as well using the MIDI directives, so if I want it to sound as if a b-flat fife were playing I would also add
%%MIDI transpose 8
which transposes up 8 semitones, or a minor 6th.
Just some hints for “fun with abc”!
Oh, just a quick follow-up tip: If you like to fiddle with notation and sheet music, this nifty website lets you construct easy to print blank pieces of sheet music:
That is sweet!
What I’ve done for myeself is to creat a “tune” with nothing but “invisible rests”, and make .ps files using abcm2ps. “invisible rests” are notated using an “x” rather than the abc standard “z”.
The “tune” looks like this:
X:1
T:
M:C
K:C
x4
x4
x4
x4
etc…
Put that in the Tune-o-Tron, and you get blank staves!
Thanks for the tune Brian. It is very nice. I enjoyed listening. Can you tell me how you were able to record it and put it on the internet? Did you use a computer mic directly to your sound card or did you just use a mic with a usb connection and let, I presume the windows software detect the mic and direct the music to a program for recording like music match or media player? The reason I ask is I would like to put some flute recording on the internet and am trying to get some ideas.
Thanks..scottie
Actually, I’m taking a detour through my minidisc to which I have a microphone. I record on the minidisk, and then connect it to my PC using a 2-piece mini-jack cable that I’ve made. Finally, I use some software called Wavepad (there’s a freeware version at http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/) to record from the minidisc to my PC.
I think you can leave out the minidisk part, and then record straight at your PC, with a microphone, and again using Wavepad (it’s s really nice and easy tool), but I haven’t tried that.
Try out Wavepad and see how that works for you. Hope to hear some of your playing soon
If you’ve got nothing better to do - please feel free to play it and let me know what you think. I try to learn from many different angles, I guess this is just one of them 
If you don’t wanna play you can hear it here: http://www.hum.aau.dk/~brianms/irish_flute/001_Brians_Reel.mp3