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The MIDI Association
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Greetings.
I create and edit MIDI files in CAKEWALK in piano roll mode. The files then get sent to the QRS Music Roll factory in Pennsylvania to be made in to piano rolls which I then pump on my 1921 player-piano. I am a "Pianolist". That's a person who, when pumping a player-piano can, using certain controls and methods, make the music sound non-mechanical - even very expressive. At the moment, I am planning to make a piano roll of Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini [4-hand arrangement]. I have the sheet music for it, but it would take FAR LESS TIME if I could find someone to scan and convert the sheet music to a MIDI file. That's my main reason for joining MIDI.org. Of course, whoever would help me with this project would be invited to attend a private performance of the piece on my player-piano. I have posted several piano roll performances on Youtube, but am not allowed to post the link. If you'd like to watch the videos, please email me. removed link
This topic was modified 3 months ago by Benjamin Roth
Posted : 10/01/2025 11:47 am
Apologies - I'd not seen this message before.
There is an option for you.
Check out a system called MuseScore, you can get a free version, which can be upgraded to a full version later. This allows many of the usual options regarding midi, it also allows handling the music as a pure score, and alsp uses an intermediate XML format for storing the data.
You cannot import an image of a score directly, but you can use an intermediate system called PlayScore (there is reference to PlayScore 2 which may better associate with the later version of MuseScore 2). This ptocess, I understand, can convert an image file (.jpg ?) to an .XML, which CAN then be imported into MuseScore. Depending on the score, you may need to do some editing within MuseScore, but you would prob need to do some anyway.
Try this.
Geoff
Posted : 07/03/2025 6:29 am
That sounds like a fascinating project! Converting sheet music to MIDI can indeed be time-consuming, but there are several ways to streamline the process. One effective solution is to use Optical Music Recognition (OMR) software like PlayScore 2, ScanScore, or SmartScore. These tools can scan your sheet music and convert it into a MIDI file, significantly reducing manual input time in Cakewalk. If you prefer an expert touch, you might consider reaching out to musicians on forums like MuseScore or the r/transcribe subreddit, where skilled users often assist with MIDI transcriptions.
Your dedication to pianolism and creating expressive player-piano performances is truly inspiring! If you're also exploring modern streaming platforms, you might find it interesting how services like <a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Methstreams provide real-time access to live events—though in a completely different context, of course.
Additionally, if you're open to hiring a professional, websites like Fiverr or Upwork have experienced MIDI transcribers who can efficiently handle complex compositions like Francesca da Rimini. Once the MIDI file is ready, fine-tuning it in Cakewalk should be much easier.
By the way, your YouTube performances must be a treat to watch! If you ever decide to share more details, I’d love to learn about the techniques you use to bring such expression to player-piano rolls. It’s a bit like how platforms such as <a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crackstreams cater to niche audiences by offering content that’s not always easy to find through traditional means.
Looking forward to hearing more about your project, and I hope you find the right assistance for your MIDI conversion!
Posted : 12/03/2025 11:16 pm
