MIDI Practice

MIDI Practice Files

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.

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

Most of these files by Terry Ewell were prepared on a Yamaha Clavinova (CVP-92) in 1995-1999. The practice disk files (PracDsk1, PracDsk2, etc.) contain midi documents used by bassoon students at West Virginia University for intonation practice, scale practice, and arpeggio practice. All scales and arpeggios start on the lowest tonic (note name) of the bassoon, progress to the highest scale note (listed below), then down to the lowest scale note on the bassoon, then up to the lowest tonic.

Even though the practice disks were composed with the bassoonist in mind, oboists will find at least the first twelve files in PracDsk1 helpful. These are droning pitches (organ pedal notes) which may be employed to check intonation with scales, arpeggios, and selections of music.

Each practice disk file contains no more than 60 documents, which is the maximum number a Yamaha Clavinova (CVP-92) will access on a single disk. Now that the use of floppy disks is outdated, the files are just presented with links below, but still in the ordering originally given.

Practice Disk 1

A 440 Drones

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Major Arpeggios, Tempo 60

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Minor Arpeggios, Tempo 60

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Practice Disk 2

Dominant 7th Arpeggios, Tempo 60

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Major Arpeggios, Tempo 80

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Minor Arpeggios, Tempo 80

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

Practice Disk 3 Contrabassoon -- Drones, Octave Lower

C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B

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.

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 MuseScore2, 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.

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MIDI Practice Files