Music software

Hugh Newbury · External Since: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 35

I'm looking for an app that will allow me to play tunes on the keyboard
of a laptop: ie, to play tunes instantly, not laboriously write them
out, then play them back.

I've googled a bit, but can't find anything like this. Any ideas welcome.

TIA

Hugh

--

Hugh Newbury

www.evershot-weather.org

Will Kemp · External Since: Jan 13, 2009 Posts: 16

Hugh Newbury wrote:
> I'm looking for an app that will allow me to play tunes on the keyboard
> of a laptop: ie, to play tunes instantly, not laboriously write them
> out, then play them back.
>
> I've googled a bit, but can't find anything like this. Any ideas welcome.

What you need is a midi keyboard and a synthesizer. You can pick up
reasonably cheap usb midi keyboards if you want the proper piano keys.
But to use the computer keyboard, have a look at vkeybd. According to
its ubuntu package description:

This program allows you to use the Linux AWE32 driver, OSS MIDI
sequencer, or ALSA MIDI sequencer and provides "virtual" keyboard (the
musical type), which can be "played" using the keyboard or mouse under X11.

--
http://NovemberEchoRomeoDelta.com

Hugh Newbury · External Since: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 35

Will Kemp wrote:

....

> What you need is a midi keyboard and a synthesizer. You can pick up
> reasonably cheap usb midi keyboards if you want the proper piano keys.
> But to use the computer keyboard, have a look at vkeybd. According to
> its ubuntu package description:
>
> This program allows you to use the Linux AWE32 driver, OSS MIDI
> sequencer, or ALSA MIDI sequencer and provides "virtual" keyboard (the
> musical type), which can be "played" using the keyboard or mouse under X11.
>
>

Will, thanks for this. I actually have a keyboard, but it's elsewhere in
my small house. So the vkeybd thing looks ideal: I nearly always have a
computer on somewhere! I'll search it out.

Thanks again for your help.

Hugh

--

Hugh Newbury

www.evershot-weather.org