The Rosegarden Codicil
Microtonal music is a term generally used to describe music which uses tuning systems other than the twelve-tone equal tempered system which prevails in Western music. Microtonal compositions present a huge challenge to performers, requiring them to re-train their ears to new intervals and learn new notation systems. Due to the inherent difficulty in playing microtonal music, it is usually performed/produced using specialist software, or specially built instruments. The Rosegarden Codicil is a practice tool which helps musicians rehearse microtonal music. It follows a performance providing real-time feedback in the form of a graph of 'pitch-error'. It should be possible to adapt it to any musical system including 12-tone equal temperament.
The Rosegarden Codicil is an extension to the popular Rosegarden sequencer. This sequencer was chosen particularly because it is open source software, but also for its beautiful rendering of notation on screen. The Codicil provides graphical support for microtonal music, and a real-time pitch tracker which displays a graph of pitch error on screen.
The Codicil was presented at the Microfest Conference at the Riverhouse Arts Venue on the 14th & 15th October. It is also the subject of a paper published at the Scottish Music Review and is mentioned as a significant training aid by Celia Duffy, Director of Research at the RSAMD.
Download
* To be completed *
Current Version:
The source code for Linux can be found here.
The Knoppix CD allows the application to be run on any IBM-compatible PC without the need to install any software.
Instructions
Using the Knoppix CD:
Insert the CD into the drive and reboot your computer. You will be presented with a screen and a command prompt. Most users should begin Knoppix by typing the command knoppix lang=uk this should fix keyboard mapping issues for UK keyboards. Otherwise just press return and Knoppix will begin to load with US keyboard layout. Instructions on using the pitch tracker can be found on the desktop once the window manager has loaded.
The tunings file, which can be found on the Knoppix desktop, defines the different tunings used by the pitch tracker. This file can be edited using a text editor (just click on the icon to open the file in a text editor), the tunings file should be self-explanatory.
Knoppix runs in the system memory (and swap space, if any exists). Thus no files will be saved on your hard disk. Partitions on your hard drive will be available, however, should you wish to save/load documents. Alternatively, you can use a USB memory stick to load/save files.
Further instructions regarding Knoppix can be found at the Knoppix wiki site.
Detailed instructions on using the Rosegarden sequencer can be found here.
Version History
Version 0.2 Integrates pitchtracker with Rosegarden. Support for hot/cold notes added. Tunings file and algorithms improved.
Version 0.1 This version prototypes microtonal features in Rosegarden and tests pitch tracking in an external application.
Full instructions will be added shortly, Until then, for further details email: <d.mcgilvray AT SPAMFREE elec DOT gla DOT ac DOT uk>