Using Midi

[MaryR]

I do hope John Ainslie's still reading this. Some time ago he phoned to ask why I was leaving the SSG – this thread explains far better than I could ever hope to.

Nick Baty, sometimes I could shake you!

Firstly, not all members of the forum are SSG members! None of the views expressed here are expressed in the name of the Society - that is unless one of its trustees posts expressly in the name of the Society (and I'm not, just for the avoidance of doubt!).

There's a lot of work to do out there – I'm *beep* if I'm willing to waste time with this pointless debate.

What makes you think this is a pointless debate? I think it's interesting and, with each post I read, I swing from agreeing with you to agreeing with the next poster. I'll make my mind up eventually. I don't necessarily agree with the view that if there is no-one to accompany, the singing should be unaccompanied; leading unaccompanied singing is hard work and requires a competent cantor or choir. Nor do I agree with Gwyn, who wrote:

I'd rather hear one individual sawing away badly on a violin

I have no problem with live musicians making the occasional mistake, but poor accompanying week in, week out, would be painful and unhelpful in my view.

You are interpreting SC's questions as a criticism of what you do, whereas it seems to me that he's just trying to get to the bottom of how you are using MIDI.

As I've said, I expect I'll make my mind up about the merits of it eventually. What I know now is just how hard you work in your parish to achieve good liturgy which is both accessible and possible, given the limitations of your choir. I've sung with your choir and I think what you do works brilliantly! And your congregation sings its heart out! With that in mind, I have to believe you are getting something right, even if it's not the most traditional way of making music, and may not be everyone's cup of tea.

No-one is knocking you, Nick. Folk are just expressing opinions, to which they're entitled. You have a lot of friends and supporters on this forum and your regular contributions are much valued.

[musicus]

No-one is knocking you, Nick. Folk are just expressing opinions, to which they're entitled. You have a lot of friends and supporters on this forum and your regular contributions are much valued.

Absolutely!
On his own blog, Nick describes this forum as "fairly harmless", so we can't be that awful.

[musicus]

Southern Comfort (and others) may find the following link useful for explanation of the MIDI interface, what it is and its uses:

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/midi1.htm

I have had a look at this link, and I think it answers a good many of the questions about MIDI (not its use in the liturgy) that SC and others have raised. The analogy is often drawn between MIDI and mechanical piano rolls, but the fact is that MIDI is capable of controlling (and responding to) so much more than just pitch and duration, including in real time. It is not as limited as some people seem to think.

[oopsorganist]

No don't go Nick!
I am just realising that I am sat next to an electric piano thing that says "general midi" on it, and it is not the brand name................I wonder what options that gives me?
I might look at the instruction book, if I can find it..................

[gwyn]

No-one is knocking you, Nick. Folk are just expressing opinions

Abso, we simply disagree on one rather minor issue, you don't have to scroll too far to another thread where I and any number of other regular posters agree wholheartedly with you.

I rather liken this forum to a few individuals who have a pint or two together, heatedly debate one anothers' football team attributes/strategies, rant and fume as the temperature rises, then walk home together only to do it all again the following week.

Your round next Saturday Nick.

Oops, if you're going to read the instruction manual before you begin then that just confirms that you are, as we suspected, female.

[musicus]

Oops, if you're going to read the instruction manual before you begin then that just confirms that you are, as we suspected, female.

Actually, Gwyn, blokes read the manual too - but only when they are really desperate and have tried absolutely everything else (including random button pressing)

[Dot]

We once had a couple of contributions by midi input into the organ at our church – the Agincourt Acclamations (used in anger) and Widor’s Toccata after Mass was over for no particular reason (we don’t have voluntaries). I was told off for playing along with Widor on piano (which I’ve played ever since Princess Anne had it at her wedding in 1973). Since then, Agincourt has been played live with two hands, and sometimes a foot, though it is possible to incorporate the pedal line into the manuals.

We’ve never had midi again to my knowledge. The more commonly used flute/clarinet/clarinet/bass guitar four-part harmony version is preferable in my opinion. However, if you actually need to use midi because you’re short of live musicians, so be it.

I read manuals, and I don't do technology very well.

[Hare]

(we don’t have voluntaries).

Why?

[Nick Baty]

Having taken advice, I have removed all my comments about midi from this thread. I realise that those who believe it is a recording or a backing track always will so the debate will become futile.

[gwyn]

I've binned mine too.

[musicus]

I've binned mine too.

I have locked this thread: [1] to preserve at least something of the historical record and [2] out of respect for all those who have invested time and thought in responding. As usual, I have tidied up after posters by deleting any posts that they have 'removed'.

This could have been a practical and useful topic. What a pity.