MIDI

The authors of these documents give permission to freely copy these MIDI files for practice and studio use only. Public performance or commercial use of these documents or files are allowed only by the written permission of the authors. Any copies must credit the authors.

MIDI files can be played directly on phones with an application. Please see Play Store or App Store for the download.

Oboe Solo | Oboe Orchestral
English Horn Orchestral
Bassoon Solo | Bassoon Orchestral | Bassoon Chamber Music
Contrabassoon Orchestral

MIDI Drones | MIDI Practice Files (Scales, Arpeggios)

MMEA (Maryland Music Educators Association) Bassoon Solo Accompaniments

Link to IDRS MIDI site (incomplete collection)

On this Page: Preface | How to Use the MIDI Files | Frequently Asked Questions

Preface

Welcome to the MIDI site for 2reed.net! This site contains MIDI (or MP3) files for intonation, scale and arpeggio practice (practice disks); accompaniments for double reed solo literature; and accompaniments for double reed orchestral excerpts. Some of the files are also contained on the IDRS MIDI site, but many files contained on the old IDRS MIDI site have since been deleted. This is the only site that contains all of the prior MIDI files in addition to new additions.

Three videos present digital accompaniments: their production, transformations, and uses. Please view these for important details.

All of the files created by Terry Ewell in the 1990s were prepared on a Yamaha Clavinova (CVP-92). I want to thank Kleeb's Music and the Yamaha Corporation for the loan of the Clavinova. Recent files by Ewell were created on a Yamaha Clavinava (CLP 685).

Old Labeling system (when file names were restricted). Each accompaniment file name for solo literature and orchestra excerpts includes the first letter(s) of the composer's surname, the number of the piece or movement or section, and in most cases the tempo. See each index for a complete description. Those using the MIDI files with a Clavinova should have the option of turning on the metronome. Since these are practice accompaniments, few tempo deviations are made.

Some bassoon accompaniments by Terry Ewell contain MIDI files recorded during lessons with students. In some cases he was sight reading the music, so please forgive the wrong notes and occasional skeletal accompaniments.

How to Use the MIDI Files

Digital Accompaniments 1: video presenting ways to change tempos of audio and MIDI files.
Digital Accompaniments 2: video presenting an overview of MIDI files and ways to convert MIDI files to MP3.
Digital Accompaniments 3: video presenting rehearsing and recording with digital accompaniments.

MIDI files can be played on a computer with VLC Media Player (PC and Mac), Windows Media Player (PC), and QuickTime (Mac).

Ideas for Using Droning Pitches in the Practice Files

In an earlier article, "Bassoon Lessons with Arnold Schwarzenegger..." (page 102) Terry Ewell noted that playing passages of music over a droning pitch is a great aid to improving intonation. While electronic tuners (such as a KORG) have their place, tuning to another pitch better simulates true performance conditions. Electronic tuners make use of the eye not the ear for pitch adjustments. Students may become quite adept at visual tuning yet all the while neglecting to tune with their ears. Tuning to a droning pitch, however, helps student develop the aural skills they need to play in tune with other musicians.

A second article, "Keyboard Technology in the Double Reed Studio," The Double Reed, Journal Issue 22/2 (1999): 57-61 contains further details on using MIDI files. You can view this as a PDF file here.

Long Tone Exercises

Octave tuning (for instance, play every "C" on your instrument over a C drone)

Scales

Arpeggios

Tune Passages of Music (set drone for the tonic or dominant pitch of the passage)

Check the Intonation on Low Register Attacks

Ideas for Using Drones

MIDI Drones | MP3 Drones.

Making Use of the Orchestral Excerpt Accompaniments

The mastery of a difficult orchestral passage is dependent not only upon technical mastery, but also upon an understanding of how the solo part fits with the accompaniment. The MIDI files for orchestral accompaniments for select excerpts are included here to further the student's understanding of each passage and to provide the student with the feel of performing the excerpt with an orchestra. In many instances I have reduced the orchestral accompaniments to just 4 or 5 principal lines (tracks). Consequently many doublings are omitted.

I strongly encourage students and teachers to refer to the orchestral score when practicing the excerpt with the MIDI accompaniment. This will greatly clarify how the solo line should be played with the MIDI accompaniment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I play a MIDI file?

You have several ways to play the MIDI files depending upon your computer, software, and access to a Clavinova. From a computer equipped with multimedia (software, sound card, and speakers) you can choose to download the MIDI file to your computer. MIDI files can be played on a computer with VLC Media Player (PC and Mac), Windows Media Player (PC), and QuickTime (Mac).

Can I change the tempo of the accompaniments?

Please view the three videos on digital accompaniments: their production, transformations, and uses.

How can I get a more realistic tone out of the accompaniments?

The quality of your sound system and computer software determines the realism of the accompaniments. The best sound may be obtained by playing the files in MuseScore, Finale, or Sibelius. Upgrades to your computer sound system, sound card, or software; or playing the MIDI files on a Clavinova or similar instrument will greatly improve the sound. Please understand that the General MIDI instruments are only a meager facsimile of genuine orchestral instruments, therefore these files will never sound as good as an orchestral recording or performance.

2reed.net

Ministry to Double Reed Musicians

MIDI

Preface