For the Guitar-Wise:

[jodiodi]

Are there such things as some sort of device that can be plugged into a guitar and will 'write' the music you play?

My stepson (12) hasn't been paying a year yet and he's already writing some impressive stuff (especialy for his age and experience level). He doesn't know how to read music and isn't sure how to write down what he's playing.

I'm just looking for something for his upcoming birthday and I thought this sort of thing would be ideal.

If I'm wasting my time, let me know. Thanks.

[rugcat]

Are there such things as some sort of device that can be plugged into a guitar and will 'write' the music you play?

My stepson (12) hasn't been paying a year yet and he's already writing some impressive stuff (especialy for his age and experience level). He doesn't know how to read music and isn't sure how to write down what he's playing.

I'm just looking for something for his upcoming birthday and I thought this sort of thing would be ideal.

If I'm wasting my time, let me know. Thanks.I know there are software programs that use a keyboard, so i can't believe there's not something similar for the guitar. I think Guitar Pro has a midi interface.

But speaking as a musician who had to learn to read and write music later in life, some music theory lessons would be the best investment imaginable. (Although at twelve, I doubt he'll see it that way.)

Not learning music is sort of like not learning grammar and then using a grammar software program to put your novel into readable form.

Music theory, not necessarily classical theory, but something more targeted toward rock and jazz, including writing and reading music, is an invaluable knowledge base that expands musical possibilities beyond those basics.

A lot of the top rock musicians are now graduates of places like the Berklee College of Music. And if you ever want to play jazz, reading music is pretty much a necessity even though it's all about improvisation. And just like learning a language, it's a lot easier to learn at twelve than it is at thirty.

[RG570]

If you had a Roland guitar synth pickup, you might be able to do it with guitarpro. Otherwise, nope.

If the kid doesn't want to learn music, then a good idea for saving these songs might be a small digital recording . . . thingy. Boss makes some. I think they have one that has like rhythm samples and stuff, and you can record tracks over it and whatnot, and there are also the straight multi track recorders.

Better to just learn music though. Actually, I can read and write music, albeit very slowly, and I haven't transcribed any of my songs. I just remember it all. I think a lot of unschooled guitarists rely on memory.

[rugcat]

I just remember it all. I think a lot of unschooled guitarists rely on memory.True, and a lot of good ones.

But if you can't at least write out chord charts, it's a lot of wasted time when you're trying to teach or learn a new song with a band, esp if it's at all complicated.

[benbradley]

Are there such things as some sort of device that can be plugged into a guitar and will 'write' the music you play?
There are guitar-to-MIDI converters, but they're only 'perfect' for 'perfect players. You might want to read my post here, as well as the rest of the thread:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1348425&postcount=13
My stepson (12) hasn't been paying a year yet and he's already writing some impressive stuff (especialy for his age and experience level). He doesn't know how to read music and isn't sure how to write down what he's playing.

I'm just looking for something for his upcoming birthday and I thought this sort of thing would be ideal.

If I'm wasting my time, let me know. Thanks.
There's plenty of computer programs and things for helping to learn music and musical instruments in general, though they don't neccesarily do exactly what you describe. I recall seeing some "learn guitar" software at the local Fry's Electronics, I would think that would be useful, and hopefully he hasn't "gone beyond" the level where it would help him learn something. Use Google to see what's available, and I hope you don't become bewildered by all the choices.

If you want to splurge, I'd suggest also getting him some "learn keyboard" software and an inexpensive MIDI musical keyboard. It's always good to at least be familiar with another instrument (be sure to say you just want to expand his horizons, you're not trying to steer him away from guitar), AND learning piano/keyboard will strongly increase the chance he will learn to read sheet music.

Also, he would surely enjoy some multitrack audio recording software (I'd just tell him to download Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) and see how he likes it - maybe you could DL it yourself and give him a CD-R of it.:)) would be fun, he could record tracks and 'play along' with himself, making layered music that he couldn't do without the computer (or a multitrack or "four-track cassette" recorder which is virtually obsolete thesedays). The only drawback is that a recording is then "in a tangible form" that he can always refer to and listen back, and he may be less inclined to learn to do sheet music.

[jodiodi]

Thank you all for the advce.

I want him to learn to read music at least. I learned to play the piano at a very early age from my father's family (everyone there plays), but didnt' learn to read music until I was almost 12. I took formal lessons then, in music theory as well as in college. But when I studied Classical guitar, I had to work at it. Since I haven't played guitar in years, I'm of no help to him.

His dad and I have talked about getting him lessons, though. I'm planning on trying to get some sort of digital recorder for him so he'll at least have a sound record until he learns to write it down.

[ChunkyC]

I have very rudimentary music-reading skills. For nearly two decades, I played in a band and managed to make enough money to survive, but I know it would have been way easier learning tunes if I'd really learned how to read music properly. Plus, who knows how my playing would have been different? I do believe I might have gotten much further towards my dream of a recording contract, which I never achieved.

I know that doesn't help with your initial question, but perhaps some stories like mine might encourage your stepson to put more effort into learning to read music.

[Nolita]

Hello??? Everybody??? He's 12 and yeah, learning to read music will help a lot. But in the now...

It's so obvious...

The kid's gotta learn how to read and write TABS! Those handy-dandy little charts that kinda look like sheet music but with numbers instead of half-notes, quarter-notes, whole-notes, etc. Don't play dumb with me. You know what they are.

Here's what I'm gonna do. Gonna give ya some links. Nothing out of this world, nothing pricey. In fact everything I'm sharing is 100% free. Site number one(and this is key, because this specific page names all the strings from thinnest to thickest which is exactly how we read and write TABS) http://justinguitar.com/html/general_html/StringNames.html Very important. Let him use that site and it's resources. It will get him on the right track in the now(while still searching for a good private teacher or software). It also has lessons on music technique, and transcription. It's pretty darned cool, and not just saying that because it's my main site for lessons ;). BTW I'm still a beginner, but this stuff well, it's out there, just gotta look for it ya know?

Now for the second link. http://power-tab.net Here's a screenshot of this freeware application http://www.power-tab.net/images/ptev17_800x600.gif See there? If he can write TABS for his songs, then he can use the app to translate the TAB to well, for lack of a better word, musical notation(though TAB's a form of that and I'll get teased for this bit). You know, the music notes we're all used to seeing. Every Good Boy Does Fine Eventually -- those notes. Yeah?

So now he's got everything to help him immediately. Doesn't have to learn everything all at once, just a couple of simple things yeah? Then he uses the music notes software linked to on Justin's site to practice sight reading music :D. He'll get the hang in his own time, no worries :).

[jodiodi]

Thanks for the information and links. He's reading some books on music theory, but it will take time. He can read tabs fairly well, but needs practice so the programs should be quite helpful.

Of my 3 stepkids, he was the one I was most concerned about because he wasn't as outgoing and quick as his older brother or younger sister. He was always the 'needier' emotionally of the kids with self-confidence issues. But he's really good at this and it gives him such a confidence boost (as well it should). I really want to do all I can to support his efforts and help him get even better.

Thanks again.

[pconsidine]

For what it's worth, there used to be a program called Finale that used to do exactly what you're looking for (I think), but you would need a MIDI interface for the guitar (as was mentioned before). Of course, that was many years ago, so I'm not sure if it still exists. I think it was also a Mac-only program, but I don't remember that either.

[jodiodi]

Thanks. I'm going to keep searching for something just in case it does exist. If it doesn't, seems like someone could invent it. All I'd want is 5% of gross sales revenue. :D

[Nolita]

Ah but if he can read tabs he can write them. That's what it sounds like you're most concerned with. His ability to write the songs down and keep them yeah? Oh there's an application called fretpro. It's kind of like a game for memorizing all the strings/frets on the board. If he's already got those nailed he doesn't need it though.

Trying to remember where I saw an app for circle of fifths which I was checking out when completely into The Doors. If I find it will post link here.

[jodiodi]

Thank you.

Yes, he's working on the tabs (says he can read them, but from observation, he 'plays by ear' more than he reads anything. But you're right. I want him to be able to write down what he writes (what an odd statement). He's got a natural gift for music and I want to be sure he has every opportunity for it to grow.

[jodiodi]

Reviving this old thread 'cause I just dropped over $150 bucks on a TASCAM US-144MKII USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface.

Did I do the right thing for my stepson? He just keeps getting better and better but still needs to learn to read music. Still, I want him to be able to keep the music he writes now.

I hope it works out for him. Thanks for all the help. Even though it took 2 years for me to finally get it ... LOL.

[Medievalist]

If he gets a Mac, check out Garage Band, part of iLife; it includes some decent lessons, by the way. He'll need an adapter that's between 15.00 and 20.00.

[ChunkyC]

Reviving this old thread 'cause I just dropped over $150 bucks on a TASCAM US-144MKII USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface.

Did I do the right thing for my stepson? He just keeps getting better and better but still needs to learn to read music. Still, I want him to be able to keep the music he writes now.

I hope it works out for him. Thanks for all the help. Even though it took 2 years for me to finally get it ... LOL.
That's a nice unit. The band I joined since this thread was started has been using one much like that to capture our rehearsals. It's really versatile and a fantastic way to document your music.

[jodiodi]

That's a nice unit. The band I joined since this thread was started has been using one much like that to capture our rehearsals. It's really versatile and a fantastic way to document your music.

YAY!! I'm hoping my stepson will like it.

All this started because I bought their Dad Guitar Hero the first year it was out. He played a couple of hours then when the kids got here, Jon took it over and had it beaten in a day or two. My husband never touched it again.

The game got Jon interested in playing the guitar and I had a couple of old Classical guitars from when I took lessons (I sucked) and he liked to listen to all the CDs I had of Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Joe Satriani, et.al. So he started playing the acoustics. Then we bought him an electric guitar and he's just blossomed.

We tell him he'll have to hire roadies for all his stuff now: several amps, 4 or 5 guitars, and all sorts of other equipment I have no idea about now.

We're so proud of him. He's always been in the shadow of his more athletic older brother and more academically achieving younger sister. This experience has given him a lot more self-confidence and loads of self-esteem.

[ChunkyC]

That´s so cool, Jodi, and it resonates with me. My older brother was the academic, went to military college, etc. When I was a kid I felt like I could never match his accomplishments. Music gave me an identity of my own.

I hope music gives him much joy.