USBORNE

INTRODUCTION TO

USBORNE
KEYBOARDS
& COMPUTER
MUSIC Philip Hawthorn
Consultants: Vince Hill and Peter Howell
Designed by Kim Blundell

Edited by Judy Tatchell

Computer program written by Chris Oxlade
Music written by Philip Hawthorn
Illustrated by Michael Gilbert, Kim Blundell,
Martin Newton, Brenda Haw, Stuart Trotter,
Adam Willis, Peter Bull, Roger Stewart
and Chris Lyon
Contents
3 About this book
4 Electronic keyboards and computer music
6 Portable keyboards
9 Keyboards and home computers
10 Music on a home computer
12 Sound and synthesizer chips
14 How a synthesizer chip makes sound
18 Keyboard synthesizers
20 Digital synthesizers
21 Non-keyboard synthesizers
22 Electronic drums
24 Connecting electronic instruments
26 Sampling
28 How to compose your own music
34 Writing your own songs
35 A music program for you to run
38 Program listing
40 Program conversions
42 Buyer's guide
46 Electronic music words
48 Index
 About this book
This book is about electronic music and the
instruments that make it. These range from
cheap portable keyboards, which you can
use at home, to large expensive
synthesizers which you see being played
by pop groups and bands.
You will see other electronic instruments
as well, such as drums and guitars. You can
find out how all these instruments are
played and how they make the music you
hear on records.
The book also includes the most
Sophisticated electronic music instrumenjj
in the world. These can play music wit
any sound you can think of, and
alsQffnake sounds which no one
f heard be

Later on in the book you can

find out how to compose
your own music and write
your own songs. This
means looking at tunes,
rhythms, bass and
harmonies as well as words,
(called lyrics). This section
also has a specially written
song with instructions on
how you can play it.

If youStiwe a home computer, you can find

out hojf to use it to play and store music.
ra things you can buy to help you,
! programs and equipment to plug At the end of the book
re described as well. is a Buyer's Guide to
There is an exciting music program on help you if you want to
page 38 for you to type into your computer* buy an electronic
which lets you compose and play tunes. keyboard, music
Depending on your computer, you can use programs or extra
any of five different sounds, add a rhythm music equipment for
and also store ypur tunes. your computer.

*The program will run on the Commodore 64, BBC, Spectrum, Electron, VICSOandMSX.
Electronic keyboards and computer music
Almost every pop group or band Electronic instruments
nowadays uses electronic keyboards In this picture there are some electronic
in concerts and on their records. These instruments you may recognize from
keyboards can make sounds that watching pop groups on television.
ordinary instruments could never do.
They can also make the sound of nearly
any musical instrument you can think of,
so you may not even realize that you are
listening to electronic music.
On these two pages you can see
some different keyboards and other
electronic instruments which appear
later in the book. You can also find out
where you might hear electronic music.
Rhythms can be stored in this rhythm
More about electronic keyboards machine by tapping on the pads. The
There are many types of electronic rhythm can be played
keyboard. You may see them in music back to
shops and also in shops that stock accompany
computer equipment. This is because a song.
each one has a built-in computer.
Speakers

This is a
portable (or This is called an electronic
home) keyboard. keyboard or synthesizer.
It is quite cheap. It has Just the one keyboard can
built-in speakers. It lets you make lots of different
choose between a number of different sounds.
types of sound and automatic rhythms.
You can find out more about this type of Electronic instruments can be linked
keyboard over the page. together so that one of them can control all
the others.

Some keyboards
can be played
like this. On the
handle are
controls which
affect notes
while they are
sounding, e.g.
make them rise
or fall. You can find out
about linking
electronic
instruments on
pages 24-25.
 Home computer music
Many home computers are capable of
making, playing and storing music to
play back later. You can buy music
programs and extra music equipment
for most computers. This makes it easier
to write and play music. There is more
about home computer music on
pages 9-11.

ese are eleron

drums which are linked
to a unit that produces Television
sounds when the drums
are hit (see page 22). Some television stations have their own
Unit which makes electronic music and sound workshops.
drum sounds. Here they record music and sound
effects for many of the programmes and
videos you watch. The workshops
contain some of the
most sophisticated
and expensive
electronic
equipment. You
can see some of
this on page 27.

The music business

Electronic keyboards can make such
exciting music that they have revolutionized
the record industry. Music can be
composed and played on them and other
electronic equipment used to record it.

The latest electronic recording equipment Have a look on your *"*

record sleeves to see if
is used to record this compact disc. This you can find the names of any
means that you do not hear any electronic keyboards, such as
background noise when it is played. the Fail-light or Synclavier.*

*More about these on page 27.

Portable keyboards
You can buy portable keyboards for a
lot less than a home computer. They are
also called home or single keyboards.
They can be plugged into the mams or Music from
run on batteries, depending on the keyboard's
keyboard. memory
You can play music on a portable
keyboard even if you cannot play any
other musical instruments. Using only
one or two fingers, you can build up Some portable keyboards let you store
quite complex music. You can play your own music in their memories. You
tunes you know or make up new ones. can then play back the stored music and
On the next three pages you can find play another part "live" on the keyboard
out about the different types of portable along with it. Some keyboards have two
keyboard and the things you can do on memories, so you can store two parts
them. and play them back at once.
Keyboard sizes One and a
The transposer dial makes everything
Micro mini half books
you play on the keyboard higher or
keyboard lower. This is so that you can play in rune
with other instruments.

Mini Keys for one

keyboard finger chords
Standard
keyboard
The smallest portable keyboards are
called micro mini keyboards. They are
about one and a half times the length of this
book. There are also larger ones called
mini and standard keyboards. Generally,
the larger the keyboard, the more you can
do with it. The picture on the right shows a This standard keyboard has 61 keys. Micro
standard keyboard. mini keyboards have about 30 keys.

You can choose from up to 20 different The keyboard also has rhythms, such as
kinds of sound to play your tunes, ranging disco or rhumba, which you can use to
from musical instruments to weird accompany your tunes. Most keyboards
electronic noises. These sounds are called give you a choice of between four and 20
presets. There are a number of buttons on rhythms. You can set the speed and the
the keyboard which you press to select a volume of the rhythm and also make it start
preset. automatically when you begin playing.
Automatic accompaniments
Portable keyboards have several automatic add a bass line. This consists of low notes
accompaniments which you can use with which match your tune. You can control
your tunes. For example, the keyboard can both its volume and speed.

A chord is more You can

than one note at find out
once. lots
more
An arpeggio is the about
notes in a chord
played one after the music on
other. page 28.
Most portable keyboards have a switch, The keyboard can play the notes that make
sometimes labelled "Autochord". If this is up a chord one after the other. These are
on, the keyboard will automatically add two called arpeggios. The button which you
more notes to any one you play at the lower press to obtain this effect is often labelled
end of the keyboard. These three notes are the "Arpeggiator".
called a chord.
Socket for headphones so This keyboard has stereo The keyboard can be
you can practise without speakers. Sometimes they connected to the amplifier in
anyone else hearing. are mounted on to keyboards a hi-fi system, to improve the
instead of being built in. sound or to record what you play.
I

\
A foot pedal can be attached \ Manual rhythm keys
Rhythm buttons to the keyboard to control the Accompaniment
volume, leaving both hands buttons
free for playing.

Single and multiple notes

Most micro mini keyboards only allow
you to play one note at a time. This is
called monophony. You can still add
stored chords and rhythms, though.
Larger keyboards let you play up to
eight notes at once. Playing more than
one note at a time is called polyphony.

fti I I m
Some keyboards allow you to record your
own rhythms. You press a button which
makes the keys at the top of the keyboard In the picture you can see two lines of
produce the sound of rhythm instruments, music. The top line is monophonic, the
such as drums. bottom line, polyphonic.
Playcard keyboard
This type of portable keyboard has all Tune is written out on
the functions described on the previous top portion of card.
two pages. It can also play music Card slides along
pre-recorded on to special cards, groove to store
called playcards, music in keyboard's
All the information for one piece of memory.
music is stored electronically on a strip
at the bottom of the card. You can run
the card along the groove in the
keyboard to feed the information in.
Once the music is stored in the
keyboard's memory you can do
different things with it, as described
below. Chord Strip stores tune (or
X display window melody), harmony,
bass, rhythm and
Playcard chords.
controls

Autoplay: Plays
the music back
with all the parts.

Lamp cancel:
Allows you to Groove for
play the melody playcard
by yourself
without the
lamps coining on.
Free tempo: Makes the
accompaniment go at the Phrase repeat: Helps you
same speed as you play the learn to play the music a few
melody. notes (called a phrase) at a
Chord cancel: Plays back all Melody cancel: Plays back time. You repeat them until
the music except the chords. all the music except the you can play them correctly.
You can play them yourself melody. You can play this \
by following the lamps over yourself on the keyboard. Chord learn: Makes the
the keys. The name of the Small lamps above the keys keyboard wait for you to play
chord is displayed in the light up to show you which the right chord before
chord display window. notes to play. continuing the music.

iting keyt
This type of portable keyboard can print
Printer built
into keyboard. out music which you have just played or
stored in the keyboard's memory. This
enables you to make up a tune and theru
get a copy of it in musical notation.
Keyboards and Connecting keyboards
Software produces graphics
home computers on the screen.
Music program on
If you have a home computer, you may cassette or disk.
be able to buy a keyboard to plug into Keyboard connects
to expansion .
it. Together, they will do the same kinds port.
of things as a portable keyboard.
You cannot play music on this type of
keyboard by itself. It needs the part of a
computer which makes sound to make
it work, called the synthesizer chip.
You can connect some
The keyboard comes with programs, portable keyboards to
or software, for the computer. Some computers. More about this
software, called synthesis software, on page 25.
—— ^,^_^^f —————- ———
enables the computer to make different The keyboard usually connects to the
types of sound. Other software, called expansion port on the computer. Before
sequencing software, lets you store you can operate it you must load the
tunes. Some software lets you do both. software into the computer.
Synthesis software
Synthesis software usually You may be able to create
lets you choose from a your own sounds, too. You
number of stored sounds can find out more about this
(or presets). These are on pages 14-17.
shown on the screen.
M means monophonic P means polyphonic presets
presets (you can only play (you can play up to three
one note at a time). notes at a time).

Sequencing software Sequencing in step time

The computer stores the notes of a tune as Keyboard
you play them on the keyboard. You can tells
then use the computer keys to alter them, computer Position of
change the speed (or tempo) and select how high cursor
or low the indicates
different presets if the software allows note length.
you to. note is.
Sequencing software shows you the tune
on the screen as you enter it. There are two
types of sequencing: real time and step
time.
Sequencing in real time
In real time, you play
"live" and the computer In step time, you give the computer your
remembers the tune. tune one note at a time. You tell the
Some software then computer how long you want each note to
allows you to alter, be, and then play it on the keyboard. You
or edit, the tune if can use step time sequencing to store
you have not played, music too difficult to play at the proper
it correctly. speed.
 Music on a home computer
If you have a home computer, you may be able to buy
software for it which lets you play and write music
without using one of the keyboards shown on the
previous page.
As well as buying ready-written
programs on tape or disk, there are
sometimes music programs for you to
copy in magazines or books. There is a
music program to try on page 38.
You can also buy extra equipment, or You can play
hardware, which enables you to make your computer
better music on your computer. Some like a musical
of this is shown on the opposite page. instrument.
Playing music on your computer
You can play music on your computer like you which key to press for which note.
you would on a musical instrument, by There are usually a number of stored
using synthesis software (see page 9). You sounds (presets) to choose from, ranging
play notes by pressing the computer keys. from musical instruments to sound effects
The manual supplied with the software tells like a train or an explosion.
Composing and storing music on your computer
Sequencing software lets you compose delete notes. When you have finished
and store tunes on your computer. Some writing your tune, you can store it on tape
software lets you write music with more or disk.
than one part, and also to add stored You enter the notes from the keyboard,
rhythms. usually in step time, i.e. one note at a time.
Once you have stored the music inside You do this in one of the two ways
the computer, most software lets you described below, depending on the
alter, or edit it. You can insert, change or software.
1. Typing in music __ , . _ 2. Using the cursor
3 Preset rhythm
Stave
Part ^ [ _ with Cursor
Length musical showing
notes. where
next note
Note will go.
lengths
Octave
The screen display gives you a picture of a
musical line, called a stave. You select each
note by placing the cursor on the line or
Note number (first note in tune = 1 etc.). space where you want the note to go.*
You can specify its length either by
With this kind of software, you type in the typing it on the keyboard (e.g. "1" for one
musical name of the note, e.g. C# beat), or from a menu on the screen, which
(pronounced "C sharp"), and its length. shows you the different note lengths.
You also have to give another piece of To move the . . . Cursor control
information, called the octave. The notes cursor you usually . kevs
on a keyboard are divided up into use the cursor
sections called octaves. You usually get a control keys. Some
range of three octaves to use, so you have software allows
to say which number octave the note you you to use a
10 want is in. joystick instead.
* There is more about this in the
music-writing section starting on page 28.
Extra music equipment
On this page you can see some of the extra Keyboard
equipment you can buy to help you use overlay
your computer to make music.
Keyboard overlays
Some software comes with a
keyboard overlay, which
resembles a piano keyboard.
It fits over your computer
keyboard. When you press a
key on the overlay, it activates
a computer key. It is easier to
play than a computer
keyboard.
Printing music

Most software lets

you print out music
To computer which you have
stored, using a printer
You can buy a sound box to connect to your This enables you to
computer. This is quite expensive. It write music and then
contains a more complex synthesizer give it to someone to
chip** than the one in the computer. It play on a musical
gives you more presets and extra memory instrument.
space to store music.
Loudspeakers
Built-in speaker

Many computers use the ... Others have their own You can buy an add-on
loudspeaker on the built-in speaker. loudspeaker for some
television to which they are computers which improves
connected to produce their sound quality.
sound. Audio/Vi
:et

Some computers allow you to play the

sound through a hi-fi system. You use a lead
which connects the Audio/Video socket on
the computer to the Auxiliary socket on the
amplifier.
**The part of a computer which makes sound.
 Sound and synthesizer
chips
In the rest of this book you will find out more'
about how to play and write electronic
music. To enable you to do this better, you
need to know how synthesizer chips store ow loud
rsoft How high or
and produce sounds. Most instruments it is low it is
have their own individual sound. The (i.e. its (called
preset sounds on an electronic keyboar vohnu£). the pitch).
imitate these sounds. Here
you can find out how.
The quality of the sound, called the
timbre (e.g. a flute and a trombone
What is sound? playing the same note sound very
different).

A sound is made pluck a rubber band. There are three

when something vibrates, things you can say to describe a sound,
or oscillates, e.g. when you shown in the picture above.
Sound travels through air Sound Air pressure
waves ""
because a vibrating object The shape of the
makes the air particles next Air pressure wave shows the
to it vibrate. These bump into Wavelength timbre (see
other particles and repeatedly opposite).
squash together and separate
again. You can draw a graph Time
Air pressure is
which represents this, as a measure of how
shown on the right. Graphs Quiet, squashed
high note together the air
like this are sometimes particles axe.
referred to as sound waves.
Loudness Pitch
The loudness, or volume, is indicated by The pitch of a note depends on the
the height, or amplitude, of the wave. The wavelength of the wave, i.e. the distance
higher the wave, the louder the sound. between two peaks. The shorter the
wavelengththejugherjhe-note:
Frequency "~ . . __ • ••-'-""-«''«"
_——-———•
One wavelength represents ^
one oscillation, or vibration, Musical notes
of the wave.
ency
^ The number of oscillations
Frequency
a sound wave makes in one of2Z
second is called the
frequency.

The shorter the Each musical note

wavelength, the High frequency
has its own frequency. When the bottom
higher the frequency. key on a piano is pressed, the sound
High frequencies wave of the note it makes has a frequency
represent high notes. Low frequency of 27 Hz. The top note has a frequenc
Frequency is [ Hertz is 4,186 Hz. The highest note yojj
measured in Hertz. | written Hz. probably around
12 20,000 Hz.
Timbre
The timbre depends on the
actual shape of the sound
wave. Here are the basic SAWTOOTH
TRIANGULAR WAVE
waves that are stored in a WAVE A sawtooth wave
synthesizer chip. It can This wave has has a harsh
combine or change these to a hollow sound, like a
make other sounds. sound, like a brass instrument.
flute.

SINE WAVE WHITE NOISE

A sine wave SQUARE WAVE This noise is
represents the This has a like the hiss
purest sound.
It is the
simplest
reedy sound,
like a mouth
organ or
rv? ^ that you hear
when your
radio is not
wave. accordion. tuned in
properly.

Storing sound Heights are recorded

electronically as a series of numbers.

A synthesizer chip stores a

sound as a set of numbers
describing the sound wave.
The numbers represent the
height of the wave at
frequent intervals. You can
see this in the picture. The
process of converting a Height of the wave measured [umbers are stored
wave into numbers is called at frequent intervals, synthesizer
digitization. chip.

What makes sounds different

Sawtooth wave represents sound_
from each other made by trombone.

Harmonics which make

up sawtooth wave.

Most sound waves are made up from a

number of simpler sound waves called Most electronic keyboards make sound by
harmonics, which are added together. removing harmonics to make the correct
Harmonics are sine waves with different wave (see page 15). This is called
frequencies. In the picture above, subtractive synthesis. Some add harmonics
harmonics combine to make a sound which together to make other sound waves. This
is represented by a sawtooth wave. is additive synthesis (see page 20). 13
 How a synthesizer chip makes sound
The synthesizer chip inside a keyboard Software screen display
or computer is like a factory for making
sounds. It has lots of different
departments. The mam ones deal with
pitch, timbre and volume. The workers
in each department can make a large
variety of sounds.
As well as using preset (stored)
sounds, most home computers with
synthesis software enable you to make
your own. You do this by adjusting the
controls, or parameters, which the
software displays on the screen (see
the picture on the right). An example of the screen
display of a piano preset.
Portable keyboards have a number
The picture above shows the type of screen
of preset sounds which cannot be display provided by most synthesis
changed. Larger keyboards (like the software. Each part of the sound-making
one on page 18) allow you to change process is shown. They are all explained on
presets to make your own sounds. the next four pages. You change the
On the next four pages you can find settings in each department using the
out all about the sound factory. cursor control keys.
OSCILLATC^BP&XRTMENT
Pitch
The Oscillator Department deals with the note you want played.
pitch. When you press a key on the You can set the oscillator to produce a
keyboard, a signal is sent to the part that sound with any of the basic waves (see
makes the sound, called the oscillator. This previous page).
signal tells the oscillator the pitch of the
Oscillator can produce
basic

Signal tells
oscillator
pitch of note
required. Setting the pitch

There are two kinds of oscillator: a Voltage stored and processed as a set of numbers
Controlled Oscillator (VCO) and a Digital (i.e. digitally). You do not actually hear the
Controlled Oscillator (DCO). They both do sound until it comes out of the speaker.
the same thing, but a DCO is more accurate. Many synthesizer chips have more than
Most synthesizer chips use DCOs. one oscillator. You can use each oscillator
In the picture, the sound is shown as a to play a different note. You can also use all
14 wave. In the chip, however, the sound is the oscillators to play the same note at once.
Timbre FILJER
———
The type of sound, or timbre, is changed by Each harmonic has a different frequency
a filter. When the wave arrives at the filter it (number of oscillations per second). You
is made up of lots of harmonics. The filter can set a "cut-off frequency that
only lets some of them through. This determines which harmonics are allowed
changes the shape of the wave, and to go through. Those that are not allowed to
therefore the timbre. The filter is called a go through are cut off, or attenuated. This is
Voltage Controlled Filter, or VCF. subtractive synthesis (see previous page).
Harmonics
You set the cut-
off frequency
using the cursor
controls. The
effect of the cut-
off on the sound
depends on the
type of filter
(see below).

A low pass filter only allows A high pass filter allows A band pass filter allows a
the frequencies below the only those above the cut-off band of frequencies either
cut-off point to pass. It gives point to pass. It makes a side of the cut-off point to
a mellow sound for tinny sound used for strings. pass. This is used for piano
woodwind and brass. or guitar sounds.
More filter Resonating harmonics
controls When most instruments play a note, the
timbre changes while the note is sounding.
Imagine the sound of a gong, for instance.
Computers and keyboards have a control
called the envelope generator (EG) which
can vary the timbre as the note is playing. It
shapes the waves as they pass through the
filters.
You can change the timbre even further by
using resonance. This makes a ringing
sound. Resonance increases the amplitude,
or height, of the harmonic waves around
the cut-off point. The higher the setting, the
more harmonics are affected and the more
resonance there is.
 AMPLIFIER DEPARTMENT!
Volume
The volume of the sound in a synthesizer you play on your keyboard to make it
factory is determined by the Voltage sound more realistic.
Controlled Amplifier, or VGA. The part that does this is the volume
When you hear a note played on, say, a envelope generator or EG, (not to be
piano, the volume changes as the note confused with the filter EG described on
sounds. You can vary the volume of the note the previous page).
What the volume envelope generator does
The volume envelope Attack: how Decay: how Sustain: Release: how
generator works by quickly note quickly note volume level quickly note
sounds i.e. dies away of note whilst dies away
shaping the wave as it how long it after reaching key is being after key is
passes through the VGA. takes to reach full volume. pressed. released.
It does this in four stages full
called Attack, Decay, volume.
Sustain and Release.

Settings
foiLgnvelope
Timbre and pitch
remain the same. chai»9es-

The shape
made by the
envelope
generator is
usually
written like
this. The four
stages are
known
collectively
asADSR.
Piano and flute envelopes Key released

Setting a longer
Key pressed release stage
would be like
using the "loud" Flute has slower attack
Note dies while and little decay.
finger remains on pedal.
the key, so no sustain.
These are the volume envelopes of a piano note continues until the key is released (the
and a flute preset. If you keep your finger equivalent of when a flute player stops
on the key, the piano note dies away slowly blowing).
because there is no sustain stage. The flute
More ways to vary the timbre
If your keyboard or computer has more two colours and mixing them together to
than one oscillator, you can use the wave make a new one. There are several ways in
from one to affect that of another. This is which you can modulate sound, as you can
called modulation. It is rather like having see below.
DEPARTMEr
Using a wave from an LFO This has a
to modulate another haunting quality,
like bells.
One oscillator is selected for
use as an LFO. It produces a
/ wave with a very low
( frequency.
'*m Triangular wave from
LFO mixed with a wav
from another oscillator
produces a note which
slides between two This modulation
You usually produces a
choose a pitches, called vibrato.
metallic, beating
triangular or Square LFO wave sound, like a
square wave, causes the pitch distorted electric
to switch rapidly
w^/m/wm
Lower pitch Higher pitch
between two
notes, called a trill.
guitar.

High volume
a®-
DETUNING
Low volume Two oscillators produce waves
at different pitches. Combining
Here, an LFO wave them gives a fatter sound as the
is mixed with the number of harmonics is
wave from the increased
amplifier. The note
rapidly varies in
volume, called
tremolo.
You can vary the width\ L,^£PD£
of a square wave so it
becomes rectangular,
called pulse width
modulation. This
alters the sound.

This raises or
lowers the
pitch of all the ,
notes.

The digital signal is now made

into a different type of signal,
called an analogue signal. This is
Square wave
produces Rectangular sent to the speaker, which turns it
clarinet-type wave sounds like into a sound wave that you can
sound. an oboe. hear. 17
Keyboard Programmable synthesizers
synthesizers These are the most common type of synthesizer. They
can have as many as 128 preset sounds. New sounds can
On these two pages you be made either by changing these, or starting from
can find out about the scratch. They can then be stored and called up when
kind of keyboards that needed. All this is done using the programming unit.
are called keyboard You can usually play up to eight notes at once on
synthesizers, or just programmable synthesizers (i.e. they are polyphonic).
synthesizers. These are In the picture you can see a programmable synthesizer.
the kind of instruments The labels explain some of the things it can do.
you see pop groups and Each parameter, or control, has a number. To
bands using. They cost alter the value of a parameter, you type in its
number on the programming unit.
about three or four times
as much as the average Programming unit is
The value of the used to select presets
portable keyboard. parameter is altered and make new sounds.
Synthesizers have using the ADJUST buttons. You type in the
their own built-in "sound number of the preset
factories" similar to those Window displays preset sound you want
on the previous pages. number. using these buttons.
They can do a lot more,
though, and have many Parameter windows
extra controls. display the number of the
parameter being changed
There are three main and its value.
types of synthesizer:
preset, variable and Some synthesizers show
the parameter values by
programmable. fluorescent displays.
Preset synthesizers Tuning wheel can be
adjusted so that the
These are like portable synthesizer can play in
keyboards, only they can tune with other
produce a much better instruments.
sound quality. They have up
to 128 preset (stored) This dial makes the notes
slide from one to another.
sounds which cannot be This is called portamento.
changed. The dial also varies the
speed of the slide. The bottom left button in
Variable synthesizers the programming unit is
Performance controls called the WRITE button.
Each sound control, or It stores the values of
(joystick and dials) affect
parameter, on these the sound while it is being parameters to form a new
keyboards can be change made. preset.
using the dials and knobs
on the synthesizer. Sounds \ Joystick makes the pitch rise or fall
cannot be stored and you if moved side to side. If moved up it
cannot change easily from gives a tremolo (wavering volume)
effect and if moved down, vibrato
one to another, f/7 (wavering pitch). Some
synthesizers use two wheels
instead of a joystick (see next
page).

Some keyboards can be

played like this. The
performance controls are on
a detachable handgrip.
Envelope generator
Some synthesizers have Slope. This stage controls Decay•
special envelope Decay how quickly the volume
changes between the break
generators, for both the point and
timbre and the volume, J sustain
levels. Slope gives secoi
which enable them to
imitate instruments . Sustain decay like on
a real piano.
even better. They
Break point. When the This kind of envelope is
have two more volume has fallen to a
stages than the Attack certain level in the decay N Release known as ADBSSR. In the
ADSR type stage, called the break point, picture you can see how it
(see page 16). it enters another stage, can be used to produce a
called the slope stage. piano envelope._____
Some synthesizers have a
slot for cartridges containing A foot pedal can be plugged in here. It
more presets. The player can I enables the player to change the preset
also store music on them. without having to stop playing. It can also be
used to make the notes sound for longer,
I Sockets to link to other called sustain.
equipment. This is
explained on page 24. Headphones can be
plugged in here to
enable the player to
practise without
being heard.
Sockets for tape machine
on which can be stored
presets or music.

If you keep your fingers

on the keys after the
note has sounded, and
then press harder, you
get a vibrato (varying
volume) effect while
the note is sounding.
This is called after-
touch.

Envelope generators,
Many synthesizers have a sequencer which explained above.
can store a number of musical parts. The
music can be played back by pressing a Split keyboard. The
button. Another part can be played on top synthesizer allows the
of it "live". player to use a different
preset with different
sections of the keyboard
(how many depends on the
Touch sensitivity. The keys synthesizer). The split points
are sensitive to how they are are usually set by the player.
pressed. Pressing hard
produces a louder sound,
called pressure sensitivity. You may see a keyboard
Pressing quickly can player with two synthesizers
produce a sharp sound. This arranged like this. The top
is velocity sensitivity. These one is monophonic and is
enable more "feeling" to be extremely good at synthesis,
put into the music. so it is used to play
melody lines.
 Digital synthesizers
Digital synthesizers are a type of programmable Pictures here help the player
synthesizer. They use additive synthesis, choose from different basic sounds
which can be changed to make
where sound waves are added together others. The diagrams are called
to make new sounds. This gives the algorithms. There are 32 of them.
player a great deal of control Slot for cartridge containing
over the sounds being Preset display extra presets, or for storing
made. They can produce window shows sounds. ____ ....
excellent imitations of number of
preset
musical instruments. selected.

Buttons for
choosing
presets.

Buttons
to select
algorithms

These wheels
are
performance Keyboard has 61
controls (see keys. 16 notes
page 18). can be played at
These controls are used to once. It is also
change the basic sounds to touch sensitive
make new ones. (see page 18).

In the picture above you can see a Yamaha volume and timbre of a note to be changed
DX7. This uses a new type of additive all the time it is sounding, making it sound
synthesis called Frequency Modulated just like a musical instrument playing a note.
(FM) digital synthesis. This enables the

Music computers * Single finger

Some home computers are specially ^chords and
bass..
designed for digital music synthesis. They
(Cartridge
have very powerful synthesizer chips.
8 notes can be
SO presets played at once.

• preset
rhythms ^
Split keyboard / Stores up to ./
at any point. 2,000 notes. You can buy software cartridges for the
CX5M. One cartridge enables you to store
The Yamaha CX5M is an MSX machine (or sequence) up to eight musical parts in
costing about twice as much as the average step time. The music appears on the screen
home computer. It has a similar synthesizer as you write it. Another allows you to create
chip to the Yamaha DX9. You can buy a your own sounds. Yet another lets you
keyboard which plugs into the side so you connect it to a Yamaha DX7 and use all its
20 can use it as a synthesizer. functions.
 Non-keyboard synthesiz Tuning pegs to tune
the strings.
The guitarist
Not all synthesizers are in the form of changes the
keyboards. There are drum synthesizers, pitch by
plucking
guitar synthesizers and others, too. You can different
find out about these on the next three pages. strings and
placing
Guitar synthesizers fingers in line
You can play with these
A guitar synthesizer works up to six notes ks, called
like a keyboard at once on a frets.
synthesizer, except that guitar
synthesizer. This bar helps
notes are played by This is the guitar to
plucking guitar strings. because the produce purer
Signals from the strings are guitar has six notes.
then sent to the floor strings. Each string
synthesizer unit where the Dials which can be set to
change play with a
sounds are made. certain
synthesizer different
Pick-ups. These eters. preset.
convert the vibrations
of the strings into Display for
digital signals parameter
which are fed
to the
synthesizer
unit.

This lever makes the pitch of Volume and tone controls for Pedals to Display for
a note rise while it is when it is used as an change preset
sounding. ordinary electric guitar. presets. number.
The floor synthesizer unit is placed just in front of The synthesizer has 64 presets which
the guitarist. Different sounds can be made in a are selected using the foot pedals.
similar way to on a programmable keyboard These can be any sound, not just a
synthesizer. guitar.
This part converts
Wind synthesizer the vibrations in the
air caused by you
This is a metal tube which you blow down. blowing down the
It has buttons rather like the keys on a tube into a digital
signal. This is sent
saxophone. It is connected to a floor to the synthesizer
synthesizer unit similar to the guitar unit.
synthesizer above.
The wind synthesizer is especially Sound can be varied
good at making the sounds of by how you blow
down the tube.
different wind instruments,
although it can make other
sounds, too.
Pressing these keys
produces notes of
different pitch.
 Electronic drums
Electronic drums are played in the same way as ordinary drums. They can produce
all sorts of different sounds, though, as they are connected to a drum synthesizer.
You can tell if a drummer is playing electronic drums as they are much
flatter than ordinary ones. They are also usually six-sided instead of
round and the tops of the drums, called pads, are black.
When the drum is struck, signals are sent to a
synthesizer unit. In the picture you can see an
electronic drum kit and synthesizer..
Pads are hit with
ordinary drum sticks.)]
This slot is for a
special chip Headphones let a
which contains drummer practise
the prerecorded without anyone else to make
sound of a real being able to hear. cymbal
drum*. The sound
is played when
one of the drums
is hit. \ made from very
tough rubber. They
are touch sensitive.
The synthesizer
unit is usually on
the floor next
to the drummer. Bass drum. Drummer uses
a foot pedal to hit this.

The drum synthesizer

unit contains a number
of preset drum sounds,
The drummer can
either use these or Foot switch to change the
program different ones. presets on the drum pads.

Each drum can make a different kind of use different "drum kits" for different
drum sound. The synthesizer can store up musical styles (e.g. reggae, rock and so
to 20 sets of sounds. Each set contains the on). A foot switch enables the drummer to
sounds for all the drums. Drummers can change from one kit to another.
Single drums are Chip on which prerecorded drum sound
Single drums sometimes played on is stored*. A drummer can have a
their own. number of these.
This single drum pad can
play one type of drum
.d at a time. The sound
is stored on a chip which
slots into the control panel These buttons
below the pad. You can use can vary the
different chips to get pitch, length
and volume of
[erent sounds. the sound.
'he synthesizer unit is
built into the drum. It is
iful for drummers with Slot for chip on which Plastic cover
;-electronic (acoustic) is stored a real drum protects
sound. This is either controls while
its who want one drum that prerecorded or recorded drum is being
can make different sounds. by the drummer*. played.
22

*There is more about recording real sounds to use with synthesizers on pages 26-27.
 Rhythm machines
Many pop groups and bands use rhythm machines to play the drum
part for their songs. Rhythm machines can imitate the sounds
of different percussion instruments (i.e. those that make
sound when something is struck such as drums, A rhythm
tambourines or maracas). The most expensive machine can Controls to alter the
machines use prerecorded* sounds. These cost as store the volume of each
percussion sound.
much as a keyboard synthesizer. parts to 99
The sounds they produce are so realistic different
that it is often hard to tell if the songs
This dial sets
drum beat in a song is the tempo, or
a rhythm speed, of the
machine or a Window displays rhythms in rhythm.
real drummer. sections called bars. You can
use preset (stored) rhythms or
record your own in step or
Slot for cartridge real time. This is Some
to record rhythm explained below. machines
patterns on. have a tuning
dial to vary
the pitch of a
sound.

Setting
rhythms in
step
time Button for^each different
percussion sound. These
Each section of "hand
p".
rhythm, or bar,
is divided into Pad programmers
16 steps. The
drummer tells There is another kind of
the machine rhythm machine called a
which pad programmer. You
instrument can store rhythms by
should sound on tapping on its pads with
each your fingers or drum
Each of the 16 sticks.
step. steps is
This dot shows that indicated in The instrument The stored rhythm for one
the bass drum will turn by a buttons are pressed bar is called a pattern. Preset (
sound on step one. light. to set a sound for the and programmed patterns
step can be repeated to make up
Setting rhythms in real time indicated. the drum part for a whole
Patterns song.
The drummer taps out the rhythm on the
buttons. The machine helps him to keep in Rhythm machines and
time by providing a regular beat called a synthesizers can be used
click track, the speed of which can be to control other
varied. The machine corrects the rhythm to electronic instruments.
the nearest sixteenth part of a bar if it is not You can find out about
quite on the beat. this on the next page. 23

V
Connecting electronic instruments
A musician can connect together can be understood by the other. This is
various electronic instruments, e.g. like saying that MIDI allows electronic
synthesizer and rhythm machine, and instruments to speak the same
control them all from one place. This is language.
done by using MIDI (Musical MIDI can either be built into an
Instrument Digital Interface). instrument, or bought as a separate
An interface is a piece of electronic unit*. MIDI can also link home
circuitry which enables one piece of computers to electronic instruments,
equipment to be connected to, and enabling them to control powerful
work with, another. It takes the signal synthesizers.
from one and changes it into a form that
How MIDI works

There are two types

of information that
MIDI sends from one
piece of equipment to
another. They are
shown on the right.

_ CHANNEL 7
IN
hannel code

Information is transferred The IN and OUT sockets If the information is not for a
from one piece of are like the earpiece and particular instrument, the
ecmipment to another by mouthpiece on a telephone. THRU socket allows the
means of three sockets. The IN receives the information to pass through
These are labelled "IN", information, and the OUT without affecting it.
"OUT" and "THRU". sends it.
Connecting synthesizers Information being
Information being received sent to the
The synthesizers in this from the other ,_other synthesizer.,
picture have built-in MIDI. synthesizer
They are connected so that
by playing on either one,
the musician can also
control the other. One
synthesizer might be
playing a string sound and
the other a brass sound. If
each has eight note If one synthesizer is replaced with a rhythm
polyphony, then sixteen machine with built-in MIDI, each of the
notesjsan be played at once. different drum sounds can be played by
pressing a key on the synthesizer. This
means a keyboard player can program and
play drum accompaniments from the
synthesizer. ____________
*See Buyer's Guide on page 45.
More MIDI connections
If you see a musician on the television or in concert using Part of the system codes
a number of different electronic instruments, they are signals to start the
will all be connected with MIDI. Up to 16 instruments in the
arrangement, called
electronic instruments, in many triggers. These are sent
combinations can be connected with MIDI. from the computer or
This picture shows MIDI Rhythm machine synthesizer.
linking a computer
to various Information
for rhythm
instruments. machine.
__^
This is called an expander. It MIDI In
is a synthesizer without a
keyboard, so it cannot be
played on its own. It produces Expander and rhythm machine can be / • MIDI Thru
the same sounds as a controlled from the synthesizer/ . MIDI In
synthesizer, but it is cheaper or the home
and takes up less room. computer. When the system
is playing music
Some portable keyboards that has been
have MIDI so you can stored in the
control them from a computer, a
computer with a MIDI unit. "live" part can be
f played over the
top.
THRU channel passes
on information not for This lead carries
the synthesizer. the information
MIDI Out MIDI In for all the
instruments.
MIDI software gives a
screen display to help you to,
control the other
instruments..

You can buy a MIDI

unit for many home
computers. It comes
with software.

In this arrangement, the MIDI \\\

software
computer is used to control
the other instruments and MIDI In
store music. You could use
a machine called a MIDI Out///
sequencer instead. A
sequencer stores music
then plays it back through
other instruments.
You can either store the Expanding MIDI
notes in the computer's
memory from the MIDI can be used to make very powerful machines.
synthesizer (easier if For instance, the Yamaha QX1 can be used with a
storing in real time), or type rack of eight expanders (synthesizers without the
them straight in on the keyboards), each one connected by MIDI. As each
keyboard. expander can produce 16 notes at once, the QX1 can 25
play 128 sounds at the same time.
 Sampling
Real, live sounds can be stored in a Sampling on a
computer's or synthesizer's memory home computer
using a method called sampling.
Instead of the computer creating sound
waves to imitate real sounds as in
synthesis, sampling lets you use
actual sounds.
All sounds are made up of waves,
whether they come from a musical
instrument, a door slamming or you
talking. Once the sound is stored inside Sampling
Sampled sounds are replayed hardware
the computer, the wave can be altered through loudspeaker.
in a number of ways. For instance, you
can change the pitch of the sound so You can buy a sampling system for most
that you can play tunes with it. home computers. It usually consists of a
piece of hardware and some software.
On the next two pages you can find The computer "hears" the sound through
out about sampling on home a microphone. Sampling takes up a lot of
computers, special sampling memory space, so you can usually only
keyboards and large, very expensive record up to four seconds of sound. This is
machines called computer musical long enough for most sounds that you
instruments. would want to sample, though.
Using sampled sounds Below, you can see some of the things you can do with a
sampled sound once it is in the computer's memory.

You can play tunes using You can store up to four

the sound you have short sounds. The software
sampled. The software You can get some lets you play them back on
enables you to type in the interesting sounds by different keys. You might
notes in the same way as reversing samples, that is, use this to make a drum kit,
step time sequencing playing them back to front. each key being a different
(see page 9). drum.
Lengthening and
shortening

You can choose any part of

the sound to replay in a This replays the sound in a
loop, so it is constantly loop with rising pitch.
repeated.
The sound can be replayed
over a longer or shorter
period of time. You can use
this to turn a sample of a
match being struck into a The computer can make This makes a single sound
sizzling thunderbolt. If it is the sounds echo. The into a multiple one.
replayed in a shorter time, it software lets you vary the
26 sounds like a gun shot. amount of echo.
 Sampling keyboards
Sampling keyboards can use sampled Many pop groups use Fairlights to write,
sounds to play music. In the picture below play and record their songs. It is such a
is a Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical powerful machine that it can be used to
Instrument). It costs more than a hundred create and store the soundtrack for a whole
home computers. As well as sampling, it film. Other sampling keyboard systems you
allows players to create amazing sounds by may find on record sleeves are the
drawing waves on the screen with a special Emulator II and the Synclavier.
pen, called a light pen. This disk drive is for
disks which store the
The player can build up sounds using the 32 The light pen can also information for all the
harmonics (waves which make up all sounds) be used to give different things the
stored in the machine. The envelope, or instructions to the Fairlight can <
variation of volume, of each one can be computer. Options
drawn with the light pen on the screen. appear on the screen in The Fairlight has
the form of a menu. The two built-in
player can select one computers
by touching it with the
tip of the light pen,

keyboard is for
Screen shows menu. typing instructions
and writing music.

Some groups use the

keyboard on stage This disk drive
to play music with stores sounds
sounds created The Fairlight can sample (20 on each disk).
beforehand. up to two seconds of
sound. It is being The Fairlight CMI has the
improved by its equivalent of eight independent
Eight notes can be played at once. manufacturers so that it sequencers. These can operate
can sample much more. in step time or real time.

Drawing waves and creating In the picture below, the drawn wave of an
sounds electronic whistling sound can be added to
that of someone talking. The Fairlight will
smoothly join the waves together, and the
result might be a ghostly voice. If the wave
of the ring of a bell dying away is added at
the end, the sound will have a haunting
echo.
Voice Drawn
sample wave
The player can draw a sound wave on the
screen using the light pen, then replay it to
hear the sound. Part or all of the sound can End of
be redrawn to improve it. This sound can a bell
then be mixed and merged with sampled ample.
or created waves to make unique, complex
sounds and effects. Fairlight smooths waves together. 27
 How to compose your own music
There are many different ways to you, there is information on music
compose music without necessarily keyboards and writing music down.
being able to play a musical instrument. If you have a portable keyboard,
On the next six pages are some computer or a piano, you can use it to
guidelines as to how to go about play the music in this section.
composing your own music, starting Finally, you can find out how to add
with the tune, then building up the words, or lyrics, to make the music into
rhythm, bass part and harmony. To help a song.
Making up tunes in real time
The simplest way
to compose music When you are pleased with what you have
is to make up a made up, you can either record it (on tape,
tune in your head computer or keyboard), or write it down.*
and tape yourself
humming it.

If you have a tune in your Alternatively, you can start Try playing a few notes at a
head, or on tape, you can to write the tune by playing time until you play
try to pick it out on your different notes on your something that you like.
keyboard. keyboard. You can then build on this.

Making up tunes in step time

You can only make up tunes in step time if
you have a computer and sequencing
software, like that on page 38. If portable
keyboards let you store tunes, it is usually
in real time (i.e. by playing it live).
You can either store a tune that you have The notes have to be entered one at a time
previously composed and written down*, on either a music or computer keyboard.
or you can try different things to hear what With most software you have to write down
they sound like. a pitch, length and octave (see page 9).
These black notes
take their names
How to find notes from the white notes
they are next to.
on a music keyboard Letter names of This one can be
notes repeat after G called G# (G sharp) 1
Notes each have a
or Rb (A flat).
name, which is a
letter from A to G.
In this picture, you
can see where the
different notes
appear on a music
keyboard.
28
*You can find out how to write music down on the next page.
Musical parts
Most music is made up of more than one music.
part. For instance, a pop group may have a To compose music, you can start with
guitar, synthesizer, drums and bass guitar any part, then build up the others. Most
all playing different parts. When they are composers begin with the tune.
all played together, they make one piece of
There is no "right"
This is the part that you will or "wrong" music. A
lot depends on your
probably sing to represent
the whole of a piece of JJ taste. Don't be
afraid to keep the
music. It is also called the tune simple. The
melody. It is quite important best music is often
that the tune is "catchy". based on the
simplest patterns of
notes.

Writing down your tune

If yoi All the notes riling tffl
your tune, you can write the have the same easy as each one is in the
names of the notes (see length. same octave and has the
previous page). For same length. Tunes made
tance, the note names for up of notes of different
! first two lines of the lengths, in different octaves
|ench folk song "Frere and with lots of sharps and
are: flats, are more complicated.
There is a special way of writing music Notes can be added
down, which tells you what notes to play to the top and bottom
and how to play them. Music is written on of the staves by
drawing in lines,
lines called staves. You can see these in the like the one on
picture below. which middle C is
Stave. Each line and drawn. These are
space represents a called ledger lines.
Notice that the lines and
different key on the spaces on the two clefs
music keyboard. represent different note This note is
names. called middle C.
These are the note names It is the nearest C
which each line and to the centre of
space represents. most music
keyboards.
Treble clef. This
indicates that the notes
on this stave are on the Sharps and flats (usually
upper part of the black notes) are indicated on
keyboard. Notes the stave by their sign being
written on this stave put before the note. This is
are usually played C#.
with the right hand.
-^~^—v^~V—
Bass clef. This
indicates that the
notes on the stave
are on the lower
part of the
keyboard. Notes When you are writing a
written on this stave tune, you usually only use
are usually played the top stave. The bottom
with the left hand. one is for bass notes.
 Writing music on staves
On this page you can find out how to write Jacques". The note names of this tune are
music on staves. On the stave below is the written on the previous page.
music'for the first two lines of "Frere
The shape of the note tells you its
This is called the time length. This note has a length of one
signature. The top number beat, and is called a crotchet (quarter
tells you how many beats note*). There is a table of some of the
are in a bar, or section. note lengths below.
The bottom number tells
you what length beat they
are. There is more about
time signatures on the
next page.

These are the note names

to remind you. This line divides the
music into bars. It is
m
called a bar line. You can use a rest when
you want to leave a gap in
Table showing some note lengths the music..

Length Rest Length Rest

Symbol Name (Number symbol Symbol Name (Number symbol
of beats) of beats)
Semibreve " Crotchet
(Whole Four (Quarter One 1
G
note) J note)
Quaver
Minim =^= 7
J (Half note) Two } (Eighth
note)
Half

Below is the tune of a song that has been You can also practise playing it "live".
specially composed for this book. If you There are numbers under the music which
have a computer, you can store the tune a will help you count the beats. The beats are
note at a time by using the program on regular, like a clock ticking.
page 38.
1 lus dot means tnat tne note is made
count these This dotted minim (half note*) is three beats long. This rest is
numbers out loud to \ one beat long.
start with, to help
you play the right
note lengths. Later,
you can count -—
silently in your - 2
JjjUJJi'iJ
- , J4 , 2 + , z. ^ (^
head.
The "tails" of the
notes point down
when the notes are 2 3 4//2
above the middle
of the stave. Dotted crotchet' / Double bar line
(quarter note) is one / is put at the
and a half beats / end of the music.
On the next four pages are other Ion9- This quaver (eighth
red boxes which show you how to note*) is half a beat
^add the rhythm, bass, harmony and long. Count an "and"
words to this tune. between beats 2 and 3
to keep it in time.

*In the US and Canada, the notes are known by the names in brackets.
 Rhythm provides a regular percussion instruments, i.e.
beat for music. It is the part those where sound is made
you will probably tap your by something being either
foot or fingers in time to. struck (e.g. a drum) or
Rhythm is usually played on strummed (e.g. a guitar).

Tapping and
writing rhythms Usually the first beat of the bar is The time signature for
stronger than the others. This may be this rhythm is 3/4.
You can tap out a indicated by this sign, called an accent.
rhythm on anything
using your fingers.
Rhythms can be .
written down in the
same way as other Qne beat TAP TAP TAP TAP - TAP TAP
music except that /
rhythm symbols / When two quavers (half
These ' It is very important that the beat notes) are used
are used. rhythm part keeps a regular together, their tails are
On the right are words tell beat. joined.
some rhythms for to you when
you to try. To help tap.
you, notes of When you are writing
different lengths hythms to tap out, you do not
have to use a clef as the notes
are written in have no pitc
different colours,
and they also have
the word "tap"
written underneath
them. This jg one of the rhythms
in the program on page 38.
Rhythms for more than one instrument
You can use the third space up on the stave ID ID
to write a rhythm for a second rhythm 4———
instrument. Try the rhythms below with two 0] 4 *.
>c >c —i*- "^^

"drums". The music tells you with which ^ x: ——*vr ———II ——

hand to tap each note.
Try tapping a table top with your '
right hand and a tray with your left.) This note is not on the regular beat. It is
called an off-beat. Rhythms which have
Right Left off-beats are called syncopated rhythms.
hand hand -\Phis is a half beat rest.
This
tap tap
\ ® ® \ D ®
4 4———
—F-
k
+-T*
F——
A
^^
f
*4
I
x
X. 1 >C -^- 1 ^S
TAP TAP TAP TAP T/t= (RfiST)-TAP TAfl

A rhythm for the tune

There are many rhythms which can be
used for the tune on the previous page.
Here is one of them.
31
 BA55 The bass part is the lowest
in pitch. It is the part played
by a bass guitar or the left
play the melody and bass
parts together, you need a
keyboard which lets you
hand on a piano. In order to play at least two notes at
once.
igie-note bass Usually the bass note will
with a bar containing mostly
have more
than one note per bar in
Dme bass parts notes from its chord (see below), the part. ,
bass pan.
me oass
onsist of only one
note at a time. On the m^^
E3
fright is a simple bass
fpart for the tune. The
aass notes are written
on the bottom stave.
There is one note for
every]
s—*/
If you find it hard to
play with two
hands, try
p
recording the

\
melody and
working out bass
notes when you
play it back.
The bass notes have been chosen because they Bass note
sound right with the melody. name

Working out chords The distance The chord

of C major
You can play more between two
adjacent notes is is written
than one note at a time called a semitone. like this.
in the bass part.
All major chords
Multiple notes are can be worked
called chords. In the out this
picture on the right way.
you can see how to The note at
work out the simplest the bottom The middle note is
three-note chord. isC. worked out by counting You can just
This is the chord of C up four notes The top note is write the letter
major. (including black ones) three notes name of the
from the bass note. above that. chord.
Scales Tone Semitone
The first, third and fifth notes of a
major scale make a major chord.
A scale is eight notes
covering one octave,
with a set pattern of
semitones and tones
(two semitones)
between them.
In the picture on the Pattern of tones .--**'' This pattern of tones and
right you can see the and [ semitones is the same for major
simplest scale which semitones. scales starting on any note. This
All music is based on means that some will include
is C major. It consists the set of notes in a black notes.
of all the white notes scale. The tune above Try working out the scale of G
between two C notes. is based on those in C major. Which black notes does
major.__________ it contain? Answer on the next
32
.page.
The harmony is the part which fits These are This interval sounds
in with the melody and makes it the names a bit like bagpipes.
sound more interesting; for of the
instance, it can make your tune intervals.
sound happy or sad.
Trying different harmonies
Harmony occurs when at
least two notes are played
at the same time. The
harmony part often uses the
same sequence of note
lengths as the melody, but
the pitches are different.
Two notes played at the
same time can sound Play the note C with
each of the others
pleasant or harsh, shown so you can hear
depending on the number each harmony. Try
of notes, called the interval, playing the black
between them. When you notes, too.
When two notes
are working out a harmony, you can clash, the sound is
choose notes which suit the style of called a discord.
the music you are writing. The picture on
the right shows you which intervals sound
good and which do not.
Writing a harmony
As with all music
composition, the best Harmony shown in green
way to learn to write
harmonies is to
experiment. The
simplest kind of
harmony, which Melody shown To a could also
works with many in black. use a C here.
tunes, is to play the
melody line a third
higher. On the right is
one possible harmony
to the tune on the
previous page. _

C Bounds si Use an F instead_

of anE
Answer to the question on page 32 This tells you to play T#
instead of F throughout the
There is an F sharp in G major. whole tune.
-/~^-~~
If you want to write a tune
based on the notes in the Each scale has a
4- different number
scale of G major, you put a of sharps or flats.
# sign on the F line of the You can tell from
stave at the beginning of the the key signature 1
music. This is called the key Sharp sign on the what scale the,
signature. The music is said line representing F. music is based
on.
to be "in the key of G major".
 Writing your own songs
You can add words, called lyrics, to your tune to
make a song. There are no rules for writing songs.
Sometimes you might get an idea for the lyrics first,
and other times the music.
Song patterns INSTRUMENTAL
Songs can include any or all of the sections shown on the This is just music
right. without any words.
It is used between
Adding lyrics to music verses and at the
Below you can see three examples of how lyrics can be beginning and end
added to the tune on the opposite page. of a song. ^_^___
The lyrics are written so they

i.
/ fit in w th the notes. 1
Jf Q
ff\\ <\
\(l i ' '
El

M
2
\

4 —— ^
—— Fl

-9~*t -
=£ T fpl

!^
1

M
|
1
*= -&*————————f-
1 Q

~w~ ^ _
Ra- chel Ro- bot's fav- ourite food I lakes her lick Ups.
tfV 4—-\———
v'
/

,j | J
>i
"^
"^*
^

1=
^
^ B
^v

1
M ——•

^
±^~ 1 • ^^ ^
Q ^ ^^
1 1 F
9 +• +
^^
1 | ]
~\
A. r —•—-•
«!) =J
J t
•J——"——1——9- 1 * N ^
4T —-,
\
\
*-7 1 1 9 » -& Chords

m
That's be- cause it is a bag Of syn- the- si- zer chips. _ .
Bass part
/
#V——————— /
^=F s
^^-4 -4pL 0 -^ 9
0 ——J s~*

^
*

You can put in extra

notes to match the
lyrics. This
particular note is
called an upbeat as
it is just before the
first beat of a new
bar.
Songs sound
better if they Each of these three songs could
rhyme. You can be a verse, chorus or a whole song. Try
buy a rhyming writing your own lyrics to the tune. You
dictionary to could write them about your family or
-heteLjrou. friends.

Types of songs Quick

You can write tempo and
songs to express a catchy
melody. Quite slow
mood. In the with gentle
picture below you rhythm.
can see some
different types of
songs with features
that they might
34 have.
A music program for you to run You do not
need to press
In this section of the book there is a RETURN after
Playing music typing in a
music program which you can run on Here are the commands music
your computer. It is both a synthesis you need to play music command.
and a sequencing program. on your computer.
The program will run on the
Commodore 64, Spectrum, BBC, VIC -)$ PRESET SOUND
20, Electron and MSX. It is listed on SELECT PRESET (1-5)
page 38. Conversions for the different You can choose from five presets.
computers are listed after the main Type in the number of the one you
program. want (and press RETURN).
With it, you can play your computer
like a musical instrument using five Tempo is a
musical term
preset sounds. You can record tunes by
either playing notes, or typing in their
names, You can also add a rhythm 1 is very slow and 15 is very fast. If
to your tune, and edit it. you do not set a tempo, the
^~^~^ computer will automatically set it
to 5.
The synthesizer chips
in the Spectrum and the
VIC 20 mean there can be no ^ •« K
' presets. There are no rhythms >
on the Electron or MSX. The \ KEYBOARD) Press 0 (and RETURN)
Spectrum cannot provide RECORD? to play on the keyboard
rhythms or presets. 1 * ON without recording. You
••^_^~-—•*>——" can find out what
How to use the program 1 * OFF happens if you press 1
on the next page.
Type in the program (taking care to include L/

all the relevant conversions for your

computer). When you run it, you will see: Below is a picture showing which keys play
which musical notes. The computer will
Type 1 or 2 to select
display each note as you play it.
time signature and
press
RETURN. 5 f6 7

i uu musi cu way & press <, ... rr*=*n np-i

RETURN after typing in an J „ CT, ,D K,
answer to a question, i.e. \ | t>t ' UKJNJ

Q W E R T Y U I
Keys for one Change octave -
You will see an arrow in the top octave
left-hand corner of the screen. This
means you are in Music Command The program has a range of two octaves but
Mode. There are a number of music the keyboard only has the keys for one.
commands, which are explained When you start, the keyboard will play the
below. You can use any of them when lower octave, octave 1. You press P to
you see an arrow. There is a table of
them on page 40. switch between them. When you have
finished playing, press RETURN to get
back to music command mode. 35
Recording tunes by playing notes Recording tunes by typing in note
names
To begin with you press K, then type in 1 You have to type in the pitch and duration of
(and press RETURN) to record what you each note. To do this, you press N (see
play on the keyboard. You will be asked: below). Before you do, though, you may
like to see a menu of the notes by pressing
START FROM?
M.
You now type in the number of the note
from which you wish to begin. If you are
starting at the beginning, type 1 (and press PITCHES: If you want to include a
RETURN). resst in your tune, you
C-l C#l D-l D»l E-l
8-1 C-l D-2 C-l Fll RST F-2 C-3 F-! Fll G-l 6#1 ft-1 na rpe in RST in place of
pitch.
You can now play notes as before, only this A#l B-l
time the computer will remember them. If C-2 C*2 D-2 DI2 E-2 /
you press the space bar, you record a rest F-2 F#2 6-2 6#2 A-2. / DURATIONS:
(i.e. a note with a length, or duration, but no A*2 B-2 C-3 ./ 4* 4 2* 2
RST -—^"""^
pitch). Press RETURN when you have 1* 1
finished. T/2* 1/2 1/4* 1/4
You can leave as long as The stars (*) are for
you like between playing dotted notes (see page
notes as the computer k 31), e.g. 1* = 1 Cheats
gives them all a duration ->C CLEAR
of 1 beat.
If you have already recorded a tune, you
Below are some other commands which can clear the computer's memory by
you can use. typing C. _____
ARE YOU SURE (Y/N)? Type Y to clear the
memory and reset
Lists all the notes the rhythm, time,
you have played in preset and tempo.
numbered order.
Lists up to 11 notes ->N NEW NOTE
on one page in If you are
whole bars, which beginning your
are also numbered. tune, type 1. (If
Press any key to list not, type in the
bars on the next page. number of the
— > If you press RETURN on any page, you The computer is waiting note from which
get back to music command mode and for you to type in your first you wish to
the page remains displayed. This is note. resume.)
useful for editing.____________ Pitch Press RETURN after each
note and when you have
->R RHYTHM —finished.
This turns the rhythm
on or off. If you have
chosen 4/4 time, you •Full stop
can also choose The notes should be
between two different Note that with typed in the form in
rhythms.________ sharps (#), there is which they appear in
no hyphen (-). the menu.
->P PLAY
Plays whatever is stored in the ERRORS
computer's memory and the rhythm, if
you have turned it on. Press RETURN to If you make a mistake,
stop play. the computer will print
PITCH ERROR or
You can find out how to edit DURATION ERROR. You
your tune on the next page. then re-type the note.
 Bars Editing your tune

The computer puts in bar lines every three Once your tune is stored in the computer,
or four beats, depending on whether the you can edit it using the commands below.
time signature is 3/4 or 4/4. If you list the part of the tune which you
want to edit and press RETURN, you can
.If the You can get • see the notes you are editing.
^ durations of rid of a BAR
'the notes in a ERROR by
* bar add up to changing ^ This is a way of changing notes. You type
. more than the the durations in the number of the note you want to
right number until they add change, press RETURN, and then the
of beats, the up to the pitch and duration of the new note. Press
computer will first number RETURN when you have finished.
print BAR in the time - —— — - — 1 This shows note 4
ERROR. It will signature. * 1 C-l 1 •*- —— being changed.
. still play the
. tune, though. 2 D-2 1 Old note 4
3 E-2 1*
The computer numbers the notes as you 4 F-2 1 *-- ^1-BAR ERROR win
type them in. You can use a maximum of BAR ERROR •—-""' disappear after note
1,000 notes. Press RETURN when you have -————-2 is changed.
finished and the computer will list what you ->N New note 4
have written.
START FROM'4 You can then go on
Repeats 4:?F-2.1/2 •*-- ^^
___--and change more if
You can repeat all or part of your tune by
you want to. .
pressing Z. ^
^•••1 -'/I rvtrt/ilO H^^^HHHH^^^^^^^

—-———2 You will be asked NOTE

You have three options. You have to tell the NUMBER? Yon should
the bars 8 A-l 1
l.ADD REPEAT °°™iputer
rhich you want 9 C-l 1
type in the higher of the
numbers of the two notes
FROM BAR NUMBER? 1 the repeat to begin 10 D-l 1 between which you are
TO BAR NUMBER72 end. You can
and up -————3 inserting.
to three The numbers of all
TIME 4/4 repisats. the notes after it
-————-1 The computer will NOTE NUMBER?? "*~—-one.will be increased by
RPB^_-— ——-— plair the notes: 9:?D-1.1 ^ \^ ..
CD CDE
1 C-22"-^
2 D-2 2
*- Repeat betrin
To remove I
\ "
Note to be
inserted.
--This means new
note will be inserted
between 8 and 9
RPE *-———— —Repeat enc 1 both repeat
signs, you ->D DELETE
———--— 2 14 A-l 1
tell the The numbers of the notes
3 E-2 2 computer after it will be i 15 6-1 1
2. REMOVE REPEAT the bar at by one. Ji B-l 1
jwhich the
STARTING AT BAR NUMBER71 —-•""^ repeat You can only insert or 17 C-l 1
begins. delete one note at a time.
3. REPEAT FROM BEGINNING) ..... ——— ..j You type in the number of
the note you want to NOTE NUMBER715
Repeat From Beginning RPB
(RFB) makes the computer 1 C-2 2
play your tune again from TABLE OF COMMANDS
the beginning. It will only 2 D-2 2 S - Preset sound. Choose from five.
do this once. Here it will RPE T - Tempo. 1 = slow; 15 = fast.
^PlaY .............. 2 K - Keyboard record ON or OFF.
ICDCDEFCDCDEF^ ^ 3 E-2 2 L - Lists the music.
R - Rhythm ON or OFF and select.
4 F-2 2 P - Play music and rhythm.
RFB M - Menu of pitches and durations.
To remove the RFB, select) C - Clear memory.
1 option 3 and type a 0. f -———-— 3 N - New note, stores notes in memory. 37
5 6-2 2 Z - Repeats.
I - Insert a note.
D - Delete a note.
 Program listing 318 NEXT J:LET T=B(I,1):LET B(I,1)=B(N,1):
This is the listing for the program LET B(N,1)=T
described on page 36. Some lines need 328 NEXT I:RETURN
changing or adding for different 338 SOSUB 175B:PRINT:PRINT 'PITCHES:'
computers. Find the box for your 348 LET C=1:FOR 1=1 TO 26
computer on the next page. Mark the 358 PRINT N$(I)j" ";:IF C=5 THEN PRINT:LET C=8
lines in the mam listing that need 368 IF 1=12 OR 1=25 THEN PRINT:LET C=B
changing to remind you to look at the 378 LET C=Ctl:NEXT I
box when you get to these lines. 388 PRINT:PRINT:PRINT "DURATIONS:"
398 PRINT "4* 4 2* 2"
10 60SUB 1758:GOSUB 1768:GOSUB 1138 4BB PRINT "1* 1":PRINT "l/2» 1/2 l/4» 1/4"
28 PRINT:PRINT '->";:60SUB 1728:PRINT 1$: 418 RETURN
LET C=B 428 IF TN=MN THEN 6DSUB 1718:RETURN
38 FOR 1=1 TO 12:IF I$=MID*("ZLIDNPRCMKST", 438 PRINT "NOTE NUMBER";:INPUT NP
1,1) THEN LET C»I 448 IF NP=B OR NP>TN THEN RETURN
48 NEXT I:IF C=B THEN GOTO 28 45B FOR I=TN+1 TO NP STEP -1
58 ON C 60SUB 188,568,428,498,1838,1228,868, 468 LET M(1+1,1)=H(I,1):LET M(I+1,2)=H(I,2)
1188,338,1488,1678,78 478 NEXT I:GOSUB 938
68 GOTO 28 488 LET TN=TNH:LET B=NP:60SUB 578:RETURN
78 PRINT "SET TEMPO: (1 - 151" 498 IF TN=8 THEN RETURN
98 INPUT TP:IF TP<1 OR TP>15 THEN GOTO 88 588 PRINT "NOTE NUMBER";:INPUT NP
98 LET TP=(8.5+TP/1B)/7.5:RETURN 518 IF NP>TN OR NP=B THEN RETURN
188 SOSUB 17S8:PRINT "i.ADD REPEAT": 528 FOR I=NP TO TN
PRINT "2.REMOVE REPEAT" 538 LET M(I,1)=M(I+1,1):LET M(I,2)=M(I+1,2)
118 PRINT '3.REPEAT FROM BEGINNIN6":PRINT 548 NEXT I
128 INPUT C:IF CO OR C>3 THEN GOTO 128 558 LET TN=TN-1:LET B=NP:GOSUB 578:RETURN
138 ON C 60SUB 158,228,278 568 LET 8=1:GOSUB 578:RETURN
148 RETURN 578 GOSUB 1758:LET LB=B:1F BO THEN LET B=l
158 IF BX=7 THEN RETURN 588 IF TN=8 THEN PRINT 'NO NOTES":RETURN
168 PRINT "FROM BAR NUMBER';:INPUT B:IF BO 598 LET NB=1:LET BP=1:LET RP=1
THEN LET B=l 688 FOR 1=1 TO B:LET LB=LB+D(M(I,2))
178 LET N=B:FOR 1=1 TO 5 STEP 2:IF B(!,1)=B 618 IF LB>=TB AND KB THEN LET LB=8:
THEN LET N=l LET NB=NB+1:LET BP=I+1
188 NEXT I:IF NOB THEN RETURN 628 IF LB=B AND B(RP,1)=NB THEN LET RP=RP+1:
198 LET B(BX,1)=B:LET BX=BX+1 GOTO 628
288 PRINT "TO BAR NUMBER";:INPUT B: 638 NEXT I:LET B=BP:LET LB=fl:GOSUB 768
IF B<=B(BX-1,1> THEN GOTO 288 648 LET 1=8
218 LET B(BX,1)=B:LET BX=BX+1:60SUB 29B:RETURN 658 IF M(I+B,1K=B THEN RETURN
228 PRINT "STARTING AT BAR NUMBER";:INPUT B 668 PRINT TAB(1);I+B;TAB(5);N$(H(I+B,1»;
238 LET N=8:FOR 1=1 TO BX-liIF B(I,1)=B TAB(1B);D*(N(I+B,2)>
THEN LET N=I 678 LET LB=LB+D(H(I+B,2)):IF LB>TB
248 NEXT I:IF N=B THEN RETURN THEN PRINT "BAR ERROR-
258 LET B(N,1)=188B:LET B(N+1,11=1888 688 IF LB>=TB THEN GOSUB 798
268 GOSUB 298:RETURN 698 IF LB=B AND 1)6 AND
278 PRINT 'AT BAR NUMBER';:INPUT RB:IF RB<8 I+B<TN THEN GOSUB 74B
THEN LET RB=B 788 IF I+B<TN AND I$OCHR$(13) THEN LET 1=1+1:
288 RETURN GOTO 658
298 FOR 1=1 TO 6: LET L=280B 718 LET NB=NB+1
388 FOR 1*1 TO 7:IF B(J,1XL THEN LET L=B(J,1): 728 IF LBOB THEN PRINT "BAR ERROR':GOSUB 858
38 LET N=J 738 RETURN
748 GOSUB 1728:IF I*=CHR*(13> THEN RETURN 115B FOR 1=1 TO 7:LET B(I,1)=1BB8
758 60SUB 1758:60SUB 768:LET B-B+I:LET 1=8: 1168 LET B(I,2)=I-2*INT(I/2):NEXT I
RETURN 1178 LET CM:GOSUB 1698
768 PRINT "TIME "i5-Ri"/4":60SUB 858 1188 PRINT "SELECT TIME:"
778 IF B(RP,1)=NB THEN PRINT "RPB":LET RP=RP+1 1198 PRINT "1 = 4/4":PRINT "2 = 3/4"
788 RETURN 1288 INPUT R:IF RO1 AND RO2 THEN GOTO 1288
798 LET NB=NB+1:LET LB=8 1218 LET TB=D(1+R):LET DR=D(5-R):LET RS=8:
888 IF B(RP,1)=NB AND B(RP,2)=B THEN GOSUB 1758:RETURN
PRINT "RPE":LET RP=RP+1 1228 LET NR=RS:LET NM=8:LET BB=RB:GOSUB 1458
818 IF NB»RB THEN PRINT "RFB" 1238 TIME=B
828 GOSUB 858:IF 1)6 THEN RETURN 1248 LET T=TIME*TP
838 IF B(RP,1)=NB AND B(RP,2)-1 THEN 1258 IF NM<T THEN GOSUB 1318
PRINT "RPB":LET RP*RP+1 1268 IF NR<T AND RF=1 THEN GOSUB 1298
848 RETURN 1278 IF INKEY$="" THEN GOTO 1248
858 PRINT " --";NB:RETURN 1288 RETURN
868 GOSUB 1758:PRINT 'SELECT RHYTHM: 1 1298 rhythi sound
878 PRINT:PRINT "8 = OFF" 1388 LET NR=NR+DR:RETURN
888 IF R=l THEN PRINT "1 = RHYTHM 1": 1318 IF M(PM,1)=B THEN RETURN
PRINT "2 = RHYTHM 2" 1328 IF M(PM,11=26 THEN GOTO 1348
898 IF R=2 THEN PRINT "1 = ON" 1338 Kiddy sound
988 INPUT C:LET C=INT(ABS(C)):IF (CM AND 1348 LET NM=NN+DIN(PN,2»
R=2) OR (C>2 AND R=l) THEN 80TO 988 1358 LET L8=LB+D(M(PM,2»
918 LET RS=B:IF R=l AND C=2 THEN LET RS=D(6) 1368 LET PN=PM+1
928 LET RF=SGN(C):GOSUB 1750:RETURN 1378 IF LB>=TB THEN GOSUB 1488
938 LET L$="":PRINT TAB(l);NPj":";:INPUT L$ 1388 IF NB=BB THEN GOSUB 1458:LET BB-8
948 IF L$="" THEN RETURN 1398 RETURN
958 LET «=LEFT$(L*,3):LET N=B 1488 LET LB=8:LET NB=NB+1
968 FOR 1=1 TO 26:IF N*(I)=K* THEN LET N=I 1418 IF B(RP,1)ONB THEN RETURN
978 NEXT I:IF N=B THEN PRINT "PITCH ERROR": 1428 IF B(RP,2)=B THEN LET PM=PP:LET NB=ZB
GOTO 938 1438 IF B(RP,2)=1 THEN LET PP=PM:LET 2B=NB
988 LET H(NP,1)=N 1448 LET RP=RP+1:RETURN
998 LET K**RI6HT*(L$,LEN(L*)-4):LET N=8 1458 LET PM=1:LET NB=1:LET PP=1:LET LB=B:
1888 FOR 1=1 TO 11:IF D$(I)=K* THEN LET N=I LET ZB=1:LET RP=1
1818 NEXT I:IF N=8 THEN PRINT "DURATION ERROR": 1468 IF B(l,l)=l THEN LET RP=2
GOTO 938 1478 RETURN
1828 LET N(NP,2)=N:RETURN 1488 LET OC=8:GOSUB 1758:PRINT:
1838 PRINT "START FROM";:INPUT NP:LET PM=NP PRINT "KEYBOARD:"
1848 IF NP>TN+1 OR NP=8 OR NP)MN THEN RETURN 1498 PRINT "RECORD?":PRINT "1 = ON":
1858 GOSUB 938 PRINT "8 = OFF"
1868 IF L$="" THEN LET B=PM:60SUB 57liRETURN 1588 INPUT C:LET C=ABS(SGN(O)
1878 IF NP>TN THEN LET TN=NP:LET M(TN*1,1)=8 1518 IF C=B THEN LET PM=8:60TO 1548
1888 LET NP=NP+1:IF NP<=HN THEN GOTO 1858 1528 PRINT "START FROM ";:INPUT PM:IF PH<1 OR
1898 GOSUB 1710:RETURN PM>TN+1 OR PM>MN THEN GOTO 1528
11B8 PRINT "CLEAR - SURE (Y/N)?" 1538 LET PM=PM-1
1118 60SUB 1728:IF I$="Y" THEN GOSUB 1138 1548 LET N=8:GOSUB 1728
1128 RETURN 1558 FOR 1=1 TO 14:IF I*=X$(I) THEN LET N=I:
1138 FOR 1=1 TO UN:LET H(I,1)=B:NEXT I LET 1=14 , _ .
There is more program
1148 LET TP=1/7.5:LET RF=8:LET TN*B:LET BX=1: over the page.
LET RB=B
 Program conversions
1560 NEXT I: IF N=0 THEN GOTO 1620 Here are boxes with conversions for
1570 IF N=14 THEN LET N=26:GOTQ 1600 each type of computer on which the
1580 LET N=N+12*DC program will run. Substitute the lines in
1590 keyboard sound the boxes for those in the main listing.
1600 PRINT N$(N);" "5 Do not forget to add or leave out lines
1610 IF Ol THEN LET PM=PN+1:LET M(PM,1)=N: where indicated, too.
LET H(PH,2)=6
1620 IF I$="P" THEN LET OC=1-OC
Commodore 64
1630 IF IIOCHRK13) AND PIKMN THEN GOTO 1540 1 155 POKE S+ll.H
1640 IF PM>TN THEN LET TN=PM 11230 TI$="000000"
1650 IF PM=«N THEN PRINTiGOSUE 1710 1240 LET T«TI*TP»1,7
1660 PRINT:RETURN 1270 GET II: IF I$=" THEN GOTO 1240
1670 GOSUB 1750:PRINT:PRINT "SELECT PRESET 1290 POKE S+4,128:POKE S+4,129
(1-5)" 1310 IF H(PM,1)=0 THEN POKE S+11,W:RETURN
1680 INPUT C:IF C<1 OR C>5 THEN GOTO 1670 1320 IF M(PM,1)=26 THEN POKE S+ll,H:60TO 1340
1690 ON C GOSUB 1860,1870,1880,1890,1900 |1330 POKE S*7,P(M(PM,1),2):POKE S+8,
1700 RETURN P(M(PM,1),1):POKE S+11,W:POKE S+ll,H+l
1710 PRINT "OUT OF SPACE": RETURN [1590 POKE S+7,P(N,2):POKE S+8,P(N,1):
1720 LET I$=INKEY* POKE S+11,W:POKE SH1,H+1
1730 IF 1$="" THEN GOTO 1720 11720 GET 1$
1740 RETURN 1750 PRINT CHRI(147):RETURN
1750 CLS: RETURN 1770 DIM N*(26),P(25,2),Dt(10),D(10)
1760 LET MN=100 11830 FOR 1=1 TO 25:F=2025*2'MI/12):P(I,1) =
1770 DIN N*(26),P(25),D$(10),D(10) INT(F/256):P(I,2)=F-256*P(I,1):NEXT I
1780 DIM M(NN+1,2),X*(14),B(7,2) 11840 S=54272:FOR 1=0 TO 24:POKE S+I,0:NEXT I
1790 FOR 1=1 TO 26:READ N$(I):NEXT I |1850 POKE S+24,15:POKE S+1,168:POKE S+5,24:
1800 FOR 1=1 TO 10:READ Dt(II:NEXT I RETURN
1810 FOR 1=1 TO 10:READ D(I):NEXT I 11860 «=32:POKE S+12,9:POKE S+13,0:RETURN
1820 FOR 1=1 TO 13:READ XI(I):NEXT I: 1870 W=32:POKE S+12,88:POKE SM3,89:RETURN
1880 W=16:POKE S+12,9:POKE S+13,9:RETURN
1830 set pitch values space here. |1890 W=64iPQKE S+10,8:PQKE S+12,9:
1840 sound set up POKE S+13,0:RETURN
1850 RETURN |1900 W=64:PQKE S+18,1:POKE S+12,92:
1860 preset 1 POKE S+13,160!RETURN_______
1870 preset 2
1880 preset 3 MSX
1890 preset 4 Leave out lines 1860 to 1900
1900 preset 5 1240 LET T=TI«E»TP*2
1910 DATA "c-r,"c#r,"D-r,"D#i","E-r, 1245 SOUND 9,0
"F-r,"Fll","6-l","6ll","A-r,"All" 1290 SOUND 9,15
1920 DATA "B-r,"C-2","CI2","D-2","DI2", 1330 SOUND 0,PiM(PH,l),2i:SOUND 1,P(H(PM,1),
"E-2 ","F-2" , "F#2" , "G-2 YG#2"," A-2" IhSOUND 13,«:SOUND 12,40/(M(PM,2))/TP
1930 DATA "AI2","B-2","C-3","RST" 1590 SOUND 0,P(N,2):SOUND 1,P(N,1): * *
1940 DATA "4*',"4',"2*","2","1*","1", SOUND 13,W:SQUND 12,20
1690 RETURN
1950 DATA 48,32,24,16,12,8,6,4,3,2 1770 DIM N$(26),P(25,2i,D$(10),D(10)
1960 DATA "Q","2","W","3","E","R","5","T", 1830 FOR 1=1 TO 25:X=450/(2A (I/12)):P!I,1>=
INT(X/256):P(I,2)=X-256*P(I,l)sNEXT I
40 1840 SOUND 8,16;SOUND 7,42:SOUND 6,15:N=1
 BBC Electron
1270 IF INKEY*(0)= B " THEN GOTO 1240
1290 SOUND &0010,2,5,10 Use the conversion lines for the BBC, in the
1330 SOUND 8(0011,1,P(M(PM,1», box on the left, plus those below.
D(H(PN,2»/TP/5 1290 REH
1590 SOUND 8,0011,1,PIN),10 1330 SOUND iBBn,l,P(H(PH,l)),D<INPH,2))/TP/5
1720 I*=INKEYf(0) 1830 FOR 1=1 TO 25:P(I)=4*I:NEXT I
1830 FOR 1=1 TO 25:P(I)=H-4*I:NEXT I 1840 REH
1840 ENVELOPE 2,1,0,0,0,8,8,0,126,-8,0,-I, 1860 ENVELOPE 1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,8,8,8:RETURN
126,0 1870 ENVELOPE 1,1,-1,1,-1,1,2,1,8,0,0,0,0,0:RETURN
1860 ENVELOPE l,l,0,0,0,0,0,0,126,-8,0,-l, 1880 ENVELOPE 1,3,-1,1,-1,1,2,1,0,0,0,0,0,0:RETURN
126,0:RETURN 1890 ENVELOPE l,l,-4,8,-4,l,l,l,0,0,0,B,B,B:RETURN
1870 ENVELOPE 1,1,8,0,0,0,0,0,126,-2,0,-l, 1900 ENVELOPE l,4,-4,8,-4,l,l,l,0,0,B,0,0,0:RETURN
126,0:RETURN There are no
1880 ENVELOPE 1,1,0,8,0,0,0,8,32,0,-4,-1, You cannot use 1 rhythms or
rhythms on the ] ' presets on the 1
126,126:RETURN Electron.
1890 ENVELOPE 1,2,-1,1,-1,1,2,1,32,8,-4,-1 Spectrum.
12A,126:RETURN
1900 ENVELOPE 1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,63,-4,-2,-t,
126,100:RETURN

VIC 20 Spectrum
Use the conversion lines for the Remember to press CAPS LOCK before
Commodore 64 (on the previous page), typing in or running the program.
plus those below. If a line appears in both
boxes, use the conversion in this one. You Leave out lines 1230, 1240, 1260, 1298, 1308,
need a memory expansion of at least 8K to 1348, 1690, 1840 and 1860 to 1908
run this program. 25 POKE 23692,255
30 FOR 1=1 TO 12:IF "ZLIDNPRCMKST"(I)=I$ THEN
Leave out lines 1860, 1878, 1880, 1890 and 1900 LET C=I
55 POKE 36878,0:POKE 36877,0:POKE 36875,0 50 GOSUB 100»(C=l)+560*(C=2m20»(C=3)+490MC=4)
1235 C=0:POKE 36878,0 +1030*(C=5)+1220*(C=6)+860*(C=7)+1100*<C=8>
1255 V=ABS(V-DV):POKE 36878,V +330*(C=9)+148B»(C=1B)+1670*(C=11K7B*(C=12>
1265 C=01:IF CM THEN C=0:POKE 36877,0 138 GOSUB 158*(C=1)+22B*(C=2)+270KC=3)
1290 POKE 36877,231:POKE 36878,15:C=8 165 PRINT B
1318 IF «(PM,1)=0 THEN POKE 36875,0:RETURN 285 PRINT B
1320 IF !1<PM,1)=26 THEN POKE 36875,8:60TO 1340 225 PRINT B
1338 POKE 36875,P(l1v,i1,l)):V=15 935 POKE 23692,255
1355 DV=84/D(M(PM,2I)»TP 950 PRINT L*:LET K$=L$( TO 3):LET N=0
1590 POKE 36875,P(N):POKE 36878,15 99B LET K$=L*(5 TO )+" ";LET K$=KI( TO 4):
1690 RETURN LET N=0 ^___ Leave four
1725 POKE 36878,PEEK(36878)-SGN(PEEK(36878)> 1258 GOSUB 1318 spaces here.|
1770 DIN N$(26),P(25),D$(10),D(10) 1320 IF M(PM,1)=26 THEN FOR T=l TO
1838 FOR 1=1 TO 25:P(I)=INT(255.5-127.23/ D(M(PM,2))».6/TP:NEXT T:GOTO 1350
(2A (I/12))):NEXT I 1330 BEEP D(M(PH,2))/1B0/TP,P(M(PM,1»
1840 POKE 36878,8 1525 PRINT PM:PflUSE 20
1850 RETURN • 1590 BEEP B.2,P(N)
1770 DIM N$(26,3):DIM P(25):DI« D$(10,4):
You cannot use presets DIM D(18)
with the VIC 20 or MSX. 1780 Did H(NN+1,2):DII1 X*(14):DIN B(7,2)
1838 FOR 1=1 TO 25:LET P(I)=I-1:NEXT I
 Buyer's guide
On the next four pages you can find out at the bottom of the page to explain the
about things that you can buy to enable symbols used in the chart. Over the
you to write, play or store electronic page are music software and hardware
music. for different computers.
On these two pages there is a chart All the sections begin with the
with a list of portable keyboards. It tells cheapest item and finish with the most
you what features they have, as expensive, costing about three times as
described in this book. There is a key much as the average home computer.

Keyboards Keys Presets Rhythms Features

Casio PT-1 29 mk 4 10 sfc, aut

Casio PT-80 32 mk 8 12 sfc, aut, car

Casio MT-36 44 mk 6 4 sfc, aut

Yamaha PS200 37 mk 7 8 sfc, aut, sus, vib

BontempiHT313 25 mk 6 6 sfc, aut, sus, vib, 5 music games

Bontempi HB404 40 mk 6 6 sfc, aut, sus, vib

Casio MT 100 49 mk 20 12 sfc, aut, sus, vib, rev

sfc, aut, playcard system
Yamaha PCS30 32 mk 6 6
3 demonstration songs
Yamaha PSS450 49 mk 12 12 sfc, aut, sus, st
sfc, aut, sus, MIDI
SIELMK370 37 fk 8 8 demonstration song
Bontempi HB4 14 40 fk 6 8 sfc, aut, sus, vib
Yamaha PS400 44 mk 10 10 sfc, aut, sus

Bontempi HB424 49 fk 6 8 sfc, aut, sus, vib

EKOEM10 49 fk 10 12 sfc, aut, sus, tr

SIELMK490 49 fk 10 10 sfc, aut, sus, tr, seq, MIDI

Casio MT-400V 49 mk 20 12 sfc, aut, sus, st, filter

Casio MT-85 49 fk 12 12 sfc, aut, sus, car

Casio MT-800 49 fk 12 12 sfc, aut, sus, vib, st, car

EKOEM12 61 fk 10 12 sfc, aut, sus, tr, st

Bontempi HB444 49 fk 6 6 sfc, aut, sus, vib

42
Keyboards Keys Presets Rhythms Features
SIELMK610 61 fk 12 12 sfc, aut, sus, tr, seq, st, PCM, MIDI

Casio CT-430 49 fk 20 12 sfc, aut, sus, vib, rev, st, PCM

sfc, aut, sus, vib, rev
Casio CK-500 49 mk 12 12 tape/radio socket
Yamaha PCS500 49 fk 10 10 sfc, aut, sus, st, playcard

HohnerP120N 49fk , 16 12 sfc, aut, sus, vib, spc

BontempiHB535 49 fk 10 8 sfc, aut, sus, vib

Yamaha MK100 49 mk 12 19 sfc, aut, sus, tr, ch, programmable

LowreyV-60 49 fk 8 8 sfc, aut, sus, ch, AOC

Casio CT-6 10 61 fk 20 12 sfc, aut, sus, st
Casio CT-8 10 49 fk 12 12 sfc, aut, sus, st, car

Viscount VS220 61 mk 12 10 sfc, aut, sus, vib

Technics K- 150 49 fk 8 8 sfc, aut, sus, ch, spc, car

JVCKB500B 49 fk 10 10 sfc, aut, sus, st, spc

sfc, aut, sus, tr, seq, st, MIDI
SIELMK900 61 fk 20 10 programmable (manual) rhythms
BontempiHPSSS 49 fk 16 16 sfc, aut, sus, vib
LowreyV-101 sfc, aut, sus, st, ch, AOC
49 fk 10 10 tremolo
Yamaha PS35 49 fk 12 16 sfc, aut, sus, st, ch, tr, seq

Technics K-250 49 fk 16 12 sfc, aut, sus, st, spc, PCM

Key to symbols
mk = mini keys st = stereo
fk = full size keys ch = chorus, similar to detune
sfc = single finger chords spc = special chord playing facility
aut = autorhythm/bass car = cartridge to store music
sus = sustain PCM = Pulse Code Modulation
vib = vibrato MIDI = MIDI either built in or containing
rev = reverb (echo effect) sockets for separate unit
tr = transpose AOC = Automatic organ sounds
seq = sequencer (music store) 43
 Music hardware and software
packages
Here is a selection of music packages listed SIEL: Sound Buggy. Sound box which can
in order of cost, with the cheapest first. New be used with overlay keyboard or CMK49
packages are becoming available all the (above). Auto-accompaniment rhythms,
time. Look in computer and music bass, arpeggios and chords, plus
magazines and shops to find out the latest sequencer.
ones.
The packages may have other features AUTOGRAPHICS: Micro-sound. 49 note
not covered by this book. keyboard. Two sliding controls can be
added to make it easier to edit sounds.
COMMODORE 64 Stores three parts, maximum of 200 notes in
each.
Music software AUTOGRAPHICS: Digital Music System.
Samples maximum of ten seconds.
ACTIVISION: Music Maker. 16 presets Waveform of sample appears on screen.
which can be edited and stored. Step time Sections can be reversed, deleted, looped
sequencer can store three parts with a and mixed with others. Number of software
maximum of 800 notes. All music can be packages. Can be linked through MIDI.
easily edited. Rhythms and repeats can be
added. Menu is in the form of pictures
(called icons), cursor is controlled by a
joystick. Music can be printed on staves. ZX SPECTRUM

ISLAND LOGIC: The Music System. (The Music software

same as the version for the BBC, with the
features below.) 30 presets which can be SINCLAIR RESEARCH: Music Master.
edited. Sequencer can store three parts (Sequencing only). Stores up to 1,000 notes
with up to 1,000 notes. Each note can make in step and real time. Comes with 17 key
the sound of a different preset. A MIDI unit paper keyboard overlay. Prints music.
can be added which can store 3,000 sets of
information (e.g. pitch, length, preset and Music add-on units
so on), called events.
SUPERSOFT: Music Masters. 10 presets DK'TRONICS: 3 Channel Sound Synthesizer
which can be edited and stored. 18 preset (synthesizer chip called AY-3-8912). Comes
bass/rhythm accompaniments. Stores three with software called Music Designer.
parts in real time. Notes are stored by name Stores three tunes, each one with three
(i.e. A to G). parts. Each part can have up to 256 notes.
Notes entered using a joystick. Easy
Add-on keyboards with software editing.
RICOLL: Action Replay. Samples up to 7.8
COMMODORE: Music Maker. Two octave seconds. Reverse, echo, loop, chorus,
plastic keyboard overlay. Ten presets music. Software allows it to draw sound
which can be edited. Stores 256 notes in waves on the screen.
one part over seven octaves. Rhythm, bass
and tempo can be programmed. Music DATEL: Digital Sound Sampler. Samples up
displayed on a stave. to 4 seconds. Effects similar to Action
Replay (above) with software. Stores up to
LVL: Organ master (synthesis only). Three 1,000 notes.
octave keyboard. 15 presets of which four
are changeable. MSX
SIEL: CMK49 (synthesis only). Five octave
keyboard. 40 presets, can store 99 Music Computer
polyphonic and monophonic sounds. Good
44 editing facilities. YAHAMA: CX5M. See page 20 for details.
BBC Music add-on units

Music software ACORN/HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: Music

500. Sound box uses special language to
MUSICSOFT: TheSynth. 11 presets. Stores Sequence 16 different tunes and control
four different parts in real time with a synthesis. Separate keyboard can be
maximum of 3,000 notes. connected, made by ATPL.
ISLAND LOGIC: The Music System. 30 CLEF MUSIC: Digital CMS. Five octave,
presets which can be edited. Stores four touch sensitive keyboard. 32 presets.
parts, which cannot be edited, in step or Stores eight parts in real time, which cannot
real time over four octaves. Prints out music. be edited, with a maximum of 375 notes.

MIDI unit/software packages

These are listed with the hardware first and Software (Commodore 64): 1. Step Time
the software second. Some MIDI units have Sequencer. 2. 12 Track Recording Studio.
more than one OUT socket. This enables Sequences twelve different parts in real
them to link together more than one time.
instrument which does not have a THRU Software (ZX Spectrum): 1. Live
socket. Sequencer. Stores in real time. 2. 8 Track
The computers with which they work are Composer. Stores 8,000 events (notes and
shown in brackets. The packages may information about them).
have other features not covered in this
book.
EMR: MIDI Track System (Commodore 64,
XRI SYSTEMS: Micon Interface (ZX BBC, ZX Spectrum, MSX). IN, OUTX2,
Spectrum). IN, OUTX2, sync*. sync*.
Software: 1. Step Time Sequencer. Eight Software (all machines): Performer. Eight
parts, full editing and programmable parts recorded in real time. Composer.
rhythms. 2. Real Time Sequencer. Stores Step time sequencer. Notator. Prints out
eight different parts. music from Composer program. Music
Editor. Allows editing of Performer and
SIEL: MCI (Commodore 64, BBC, ZX access to Composer tracks. Voice Editor.
Spectrum). IN, OUTX2, THRU. Allows control over voices in synthesizers.
Software (Commodore 64): 1. Composer/
Arranger. Six separate step time JORETH: AL25 (Commodore 64). IN,
sequencing channels with 1,533 steps in OUTX3, sync*.
each one. Full editing. 2. 16 Track Software: Sequencer. Stores eight parts
Sequencer. 16 polyphonic, real time with maximum of 6,000 events.
channels. Stores touch sensitive
information. 3. Keyboard Multitracking. PASSPORT: 64 MIDI Interface (Commodore
Allows any combination of MIDI 64). IN, OUT, drum sync*.
keyboards to be controlled from computer. Software: MIDI/4. Four different parts
Software (BBC): Composer/Arranger. Step stored in real time.
time sequencer. 6 monophonic channels
with 1,018 steps in each. Full editing. U-MUSIC (London Rockshop): UMI-2B/
Software (ZX Spectrum): Live Sequencer. UMI-1B (BBC). IN, OUTX4, sync*.
Stores one track of monophonic music with Software: 3,500 note real/step time
touch sensitive dynamics. sequencer. Full editing, good screen
JMS: MIDI interface (Commodore 64, ZX display. Stores 127 short sequences of 64
Spectrum). Same sockets as SIEL MCI. notes.

*sync = trigger to start instruments.

 Electronic music words
Additive synthesis: Way of making sound Filter: Part of a synthesizer chip which
by combining waves called harmonics. lets certain frequencies pass and not
ADSR: Abbreviation for a four-stage others.
envelope generator: Attack, Decay, Flat: Usually a black note named after the
Sustain, Release. white note on its right.
After-touch: Ability of a keyboard to Frequency: How many times a wave
produce vibrato when, after pressing, the vibrates in one second (indicates pitch).
finger is kept on the key and more pressure Half note: See minim.
applied. Harmonics: Sine waves of various
Amplifier: Part of sound system which frequencies which combine to make
strengthens sound signal before it is sent to sounds.
the speaker. Harmony: A line of music which fits in with
Amplitude: The height of a wave (indicates the tune.
volume). Hertz (Hz): Measurement of frequency
Analogue: Continuously varying signal. (i.e. how many times a wave vibrates in one
Attack: First stage of envelope; time second).
volume or timbre takes to reach maximum Interval: Distance between two notes.
level. Key: Scale on which a piece of music is
Bar: Section of music containing number of based.
beats indicated by the time signature. Low frequency oscillator: Oscillator
Bass-clef: Sign put at the beginning of a producing low frequency waves which are
stave for bass parts. combined with other waves to produce
Bass part: Lowest part, played by vibrato, trill and tremolo effects.
instruments like the double bass. Lyrics: The words to a song.
Chord: More than one note (often three) Melody: See tune.
played at the same time. MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
Clef: Sign put at the beginning of a stave to Links up to 16 electronic instruments and
show which notes each line and space computers, allowing one to control all the
represent (see bass clef and treble clef). others.
Click track: A regular beat used to keep Minim: (Half note) Note with length of two
time when recording in real time. beats.
Crotchet: (Quarter note) Note with length Modulation: Mixing waves together to
of one beat. produce different effects.
Cut-off frequency: The frequency at Monophony: Being able to play only one
which a filter removes harmonics. note at a time on a keyboard.
DCO: Digitally Controlled Oscillator (see Note: Musical sound with a set pitch and
oscillator). length.
Decay: Second stage of envelope; time it Octave: Distance between one note and
takes for volume or timbre to drop from the next with the same letter name.
maximum to a set level. Oscillator: Part of a synthesizer chip
Detuning: Making sound "fatter" by which produces basic waves.
altering the pitch of one of a pair of Parameter: Adjustable synthesizer setting.
oscillators. Performance control: Synthesizer control
Digital: In the form of numbers. (e.g. joystick) which can alter sound while it
Digitizing: Converting a continuously is being played.
varying (i.e. analogue) signal into a series Pitch: How high or low a note is.
of numbers. Polyphony: Being able to play more than
Eighth note: see quaver. one note at a time on a keyboard.
Envelope: Description of how the volume Portable keyboard: Small keyboard,
or timbre of a sound changes while it is usually with built-in speakers and
sounding. auto-accompaniment.
Envelope generator: Part of synthesizer Portamento: Sliding from one note to
chip making volume or timbre envelopes. another, instead of them sounding separately.
46
Preset: A type of sound stored in a Step time: Storing music one note at a time,
synthesizer. telling the synthesizer or computer its pitch
Program: Instructions which tell a and length.
computer what to do. Usually stored on Subtractive synthesis: Making sound by
tape or disk. removing harmonics from basic waves.
Programmable synthesizer: One on Sustain: Last but one stage of an envelope
which presets can be altered and stored. - level at which note remains until the key
Pulse width modulation: A type of is released.
modulation where a square wave is made Synchronization: Modulation producing
rectangular. a harsh metallic sound.
Quarter note: See crotchet. Synthesis: Making sounds using electronic
Quaver: (Eighth note) Note with length of circuitry.
half a beat. Synthesizer chip: Main part of the
Real time: Way of storing music by playing electronic circuitry which produces sound
it "live". signals.
Release: Final stage of envelope; time it Tempo: Speed of music measured in beats
takes for the volume or timbre to die away. per second.
Resonance: Ringing effect caused by Timbre: Quality of a sound which makes it
increasing the amplitude of harmonics different from others.
around the cut-off frequency in a filter. Time signature: Numbers at the beginning
Rest: A beat, part of a beat or number of of written music which indicate how many
beats where no note is being played. beats in a bar.
Rhythm part: Part of music played by Tone: Distance of two semitones (e.g.
percussion instruments. between C and D).
Ring modulation: Modulation producing Touch sensitivity: Keyboard which
a bell-like sound. responds to how hard or quickly each key
Sampling: Recording a sound and storing it is pressed.
as a set of numbers. Transposing: Raising or lowering the pitch
Sawtooth wave: Basic wave used to make of a note or key of a piece of music.
brass sounds. Treble clef: Sign at the beginning of the
Scale: Sequence of eight notes with fixed music for upper half of the keyboard.
pattern of tones and semitones between Tremolo: Rapid alternating of the volume
them. of a note between two levels.
Semibreve: (Whole note) Note of four Triangular wave: Basic wave used for
beats duration. flute-like sounds.
Semitone: Name for the distance between Trigger: An electrical signal which can be
two adjacent notes, usually one white, one sent through MIDI to start an electronic
black (e.g. C and C#). instrument, such as a rhythm machine.
Sequencer: A machine on which music can Trill: Rapid switching between two notes.
be stored and played. Tune: (Melody) The main musical part to
Sharp: Usually a black note named after the which the lyrics are sung.
white note on its left. VGA: Voltage Controlled Amplifier. (See
Sine wave: Wave which represents a pure amplifier.)
note; shape of a VCF: Voltage ControUed Filter. (See filter.)
harmonic. VCO: Voltage ControUed Oscillator. (See
Software: See program. oscillator).
Split keyboard: Keyboard on which Vibrato: Sound which slides rapidly and
different groups or sections of notes can repeatedly between two pitches.
produce different types of sounds. Wavelength: Distance between two peaks
Square wave: Basic wave used to make of a wave.
clarinet-type sounds. White noise: Random wave which
Stave: Set of five lines on which music is produces a hiss.
written. Whole note: See semibrave.
47
 Index
after-touch, 19, 46 memory slope, 19
amplitude, 12, 15, 16, 46 computer, 11,25,26 software, 10, 47
analogue signal, 17, 46 keyboard, 6, 8, 26-27 buyer's guide, 44-45
attack, 16, 19, 46 menu, 10, 27, 35 MIDI, 25
automatic rhythms, 4 MIDI, 24-25, 42, 46 sequencing, 9, 10, 28
accompaniments, 7, 20 minim, 30-34, 46 synthesis, 9, 10, 14
arpeggio, 7 modulation, 17, 46 song, 4, 23, 28, 34
bar, 23, 30, 32, 34, 37, 46 monophonic, 7, 9, 19, 46 writing, 34
basic sound waves, 13, 14 MSX computer, 3, 20, 35, 40, 44, sound effects, 5, 10, 26, 27
45 soundwave, 12-13, 17
bass, 8, 28, 29, 32, 46 music drawing, 27
clef, 29, 46 equipment, 5, 10-11 speakers
line, 7, 29, 32, 34 graphics, 9, 10, 14 add-on, 11, 26
BBC computer, 3, 35, 41, 45 to play, 30-34 built-in, 4, 11
beats, 30-31 written or printed, 8, 11 Spectrum computer, 3, 35, 41,
black notes, 28, 29, 32, 33 music computer, 20, 27 44,45
breakpoint, 19 split keyboard, 19, 47
cartridge, 19, 20, 42 note length, 9, 28, 29, 46 square wave, 13, 47
chord, 7, 8,32-34, 46 note names, 10, 35, 46 stave, 10, 29-34, 47
chorus, 34 on a music keyboard, 28-29 step time, 9, 47
click track, 23, 46 note symbols, 30 composing, 28
Commodore 64 computer, 3,35, octave, 10, 28, 29, 32, 35, 46 rhythms, 23
40, 44, 45 oscillator, 14, 17, 46 sequencing, 9, 10, 14, 26, 27
composing music, 10, 27, 28-33 pad programmer, 23 sustain, 16, 19, 42, 47
connecting electronic parameters, 14, 18, 21, 24, 46 synchronization, 17, 47
equipment, 19, 23, 24-25 parts, 10, 29 Synclavier, 5, 27
crotchet, 30-34, 46 percussion instruments, 23, 31 synthesis, 47
cut-off frequency, 15, 46 performance controls, 18,20,46 additive, 13, 20, 46
DCO, 14, 46 piano, 12, 14, 16, 19, 28 FM digital, 20
decay, 16, 19, 46 pitch, 12,14, 16,17,21,22,24,28, subtractive, 13, 15, 47
detuning, 14, 17, 42, 46 46 syncopated rhythm, 31
digital signal, 17, 21, 46 polyphonic, 7, 9, 18, 24, 46 synthesizer, 4, 18-19, 20, 23,
digitization, 13, 46 portable keyboards, 4, 6-7,8, 9, 24-25, 29
drum synthesizers, 21, 22 14, 18, 25, 28, 46 digital, 20
discord, 33, 34 buyer's guide, 42-43 programmable, 18-19, 20, 21,
portamento, 18, 46 47
editing music, 9, 10 preset, 6,10,11,12,14,18,19,20, synthesizer chip, 9, 11, 12, 13,
Electron computer, 3, 35, 41 21,22,23,35,47 14-17,20,47
electronic drums, 5, 22 rhythms, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20 tempo, 9, 23, 34, 35, 47
envelope generator, 46 pulse code modulation, 17, 42 timbre, 12-13,14-15, 16,17, 20,47
filter, 15, 19 time signature, 30, 31, 35, 47
volume, 16, 19, 27 quaver, 30-34, 47
expander, 25 tone, 32, 47
real time, 9, 47 touch sensitivity, 19, 20, 24, 47
Fairlight CMI, 5, 27 composing, 28 transposer dial, 6, 42
filter, 14, 15, 46 rhythms, 23 transposing, 17, 47
floor synthesizer unit, 21, 22 sequencing, 9, 25, 27 treble clef, 29, 47
frequency, 12, 15, 17, 46 records, 5, 27 tremolo, 17, 18, 47
guitar synthesizer, 21 rectangular wave, 17 triangular wave, 13, 17, 47
release, 16, 19, 47 trigger, 25, 47
harmonics, 13, 15, 17, 27, 46 resonance, 15, 47 trill, 17, 47
harmony, 8, 28, 33, 34, 46 rest, 30, 31, 47 tune, 8, 19, 26, 28-30, 32, 33, 47
headphones socket, 7, 19, 22 rhyming, 34 tuning wheel/dial, 18, 23
Hertz, 12, 46 rhythm, 7, 8, 23, 28, 31, 34, 47
hi-fi amplifier, 7, 11 upbeat, 34
rhythm machine, 4, 23, 24-25
home computer, 5, 7, 9, 10-11, ring modulation, 17, 47 VGA, 14, 16, 17, 47
14, VCF, 14, 15, 47
20, 24, 25, 26, 30 sampling, 22, 26-27, 47 VCO, 14, 47
hardware, 26 vibrato, 17, 18, 42, 47
interval, 33, 46 keyboards, 26, 27 VIC 20 computer, 3, 35, 41
key signature, 33, 46 sawtooth wave, 13, 47 volume, 12, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22
keyboard overlay, 11 scales, 32-33, 47 wavelength, 12, 47
keyboard synthesizer, see semibreve, 30, 32, 47 white noise, 13
synthesizer semitone, 32, 47 white notes, 28, 47
LFO, 14, 17, 46 sequencer, 19, 25, 27, 42, 47 wind synthesizer, 21
lyrics, 28, 34, 46 sharps and flats, 10, 28, 29, 33,
46,47 Yamaha CX5M, 20
melody, see tune sine wave, 13, 47 Yamaha DX7, 20

First published in 1985 by Usbome Publishing Ltd., 20 Garrick Street, London, WC2E 9BJ, England.
© 1985 Usbome Publishing
The name Usbome and the device •£• are Trade Marks of Usbome Publishing Ltd.
48 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed in Belgium
Usborne Books New Technology
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or in our current catalogue, please add the
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BFPO and Eire customers - 55p for the first Physics £2.25
book, 22p for the second book, 14p each for the Biology £2.25
next seven books and 8p for each subsequent
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 USBORNE
INTRODUCTION TO
f

&cc:.
The Usborne Introduction to Keyboards and Computer Music
is a practical guide to how electronic music is made and played.
Using full colour illustrations, the book explains everything from home
portable keyboards to sophisticated professional synthesizers. Ittells
you how to make music on a home computer and describes the
computer musical instruments used in recording studios. There is a
section which explains clearly how to write songs and compose music
with melody, harmony, rhythm and bass parts. There is also a program
listing for home computers which allows you to compose, play and
record music on them. The book includes an extensive Buyer's Guide to
help you when buying music software, hardware and portable
keyboards to suit your needs and pocket.

Usborne Introductions are an exciting new approach to a whole range

of traditional subjects. The emphasis is on learning through
experiments, puzzles and games, combined with a solid theoretical
framework. The.books are full of clear, colourful diagrams and
illustrations. They will motivate and entertain the reader, while
providing a stimulating back-up to course-work.

Titles include: Introduction to Biology, Introduction to

Physics, Introduction to Chemistry, Introduction to Maths,
Introduction to Electronics, Introduction to Business,
Introduction to Word Processing and Typing and
Introduction to Keyboards and Computer Music.

ISBN D-flbOeQ-IEfl-fl ISBN 086020 928 8

780860"209287" £2.50