tookatooka
105 posts
Feb 04, 2009
10:45 AM
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Hi there, here are the notes I promised. It looks a bit difficult but it’s not once you’ve done it a couple of times.
And here is a Summertime trial which I played just for demonstration purposes. Suzuki BluesMaster Key of "A".
With so many computers which have so many differing variations of software and hardware, I don’t think for a minute that these notes will be suitable for everyone.
However, I’ll explain how I got my sound file into the forum and that may give sufficient information to allow you to do the same with some minor modifications.
First of all, I am using a desktop PC running Windows Vista. I have the built in sound card which comes with most PC’s and laptops today.
Most systems today also come with a sound recorder which is what I use to record the sound. If I click my Start button (bottom left hand corner of your screen) and enter “recorder”, your system will display it in the programs list. Double click it, and it will open on your desktop.
I’ll leave the mic connection and use of the recorder up to you, but it becomes quite clear how it all works after playing with it for a bit.
Record your sound and save it as a .wma file. (Windows Media Audio).
In order to share this file with other people, you need to get it hosted on a server. I have my own hosted website where I send my file. If you have free webspace via your internet provider you can use that but if you don’t you can use a free file hosting service such as http://www.mediafire.com/ or http://www.fileden.com/. I haven’t used these myself but they are just repositories for your files when you can store photo images etc that you want to share with friends. When you upload a file to them you will get an address which will tell you where your file is on their system.
Once you have created a sound file and got it hosted, you will want to share it with other forum members. All you need to do is provide a link to your sound file which is similar to the links we used a couple of weeks ago when posting images.
It would look something like this;
Attention. Where I am using the brackets ( and ) you need to use < and > instead. I need to display the text in this way otherwise the forum software would convert it into an HTML command and you wouldn’t see it.
(a href="http://the address of your soundfile/soundfilename.wma")Click to hear soundfile.(/a)
As I said earlier, I can’t cover all the bases here due to so many differing setups but it really is quite easy in the great scheme of things.
I know there a number of computer savvy members out there who may be able to suggest an easier or better option. If so, please feel free to join in. I’ve already heard that some mac users don’t get anything. It would be nice to think we could cater for all users but remember KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) We don’t want to waste precious harp playing time.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Feb 04, 2009 10:47 AM
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Jaybird
39 posts
Feb 04, 2009
9:09 PM
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This is very cool. I'd like to add a few comments...
Instead of using the simplistic and nearly useless Windows sound recorder, may I suggest that forum members download the excellent freeware sound editor called "Audacity". It's available for Windows and Mac users and is a great way to "record yourself often", as Adam would say. You can save your sound files in a variety of formats, including wma. Get it here... http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
I opened a free account at Fileden. You have to be careful when signing up, they try to trick you into buying a ringtone service when they ask you to provide your cell phone number.
Mediafire is easier to sign up with, but they don't allow hotlinking for free, Which means the user is re-directed to the Mediafire site to play the file (and see lots of advertising popups).
This will work for other file types besides .wma, but the user must have the right player program (or codec) for it to work. (probably why Mac users have trouble with .wma's)
I predict this file posting method will become popular among users of this forum!
THANKS!
Hear Jaybird play harp (mp3)
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2009 7:40 AM
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gorignak
11 posts
Feb 04, 2009
9:42 PM
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To Mac Users: You must download wma Codec to play wma files. If you have not done this then your Mac does not have the rights to play wma. I believe the Codec is free, but might require some installing/setup.
other possible methods-- "http://www.mireth.com/artsaud/about-wma-mac.html"
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a Mac user, but I've come across this problem before, so if I'm dead wrong about this whole thing... well now you know why.
Last Edited by on Feb 04, 2009 9:43 PM
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tookatooka
107 posts
Feb 05, 2009
2:05 AM
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That was a brilliant piece Jaybird. Be interested to know what harp, key etc etc.
Your piece deserves a post heading of it's own, don't let it get lost in just this thread.
There's bound to be teething difficulties with us using soundfiles but we can build up a useful knowledge bank to help each other. Have noted comments ref. Fileden, Mediafire.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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tookatooka
108 posts
Feb 05, 2009
3:20 AM
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Audacity looks interesting Jaybird. I'll take a look at that. You are right, the Windows recorder is very very basic. The only reason I suggested that was because it is on our machines already. I don't mind poking about in my computer but I was concerned that a lot of harp players are not necessarily inclined to get too bogged down with the technical stuff.
This is great feedback though. Hopefully with more suggestions coming in, we can come up with an easy neat solution for all forum members.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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tookatooka
109 posts
Feb 05, 2009
6:54 AM
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Not sure I fully understand what you mean by "file embedding code"? Can you give me any more info please? Maybe if you can tell me what you want to achieve?
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2009 6:55 AM
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Jaybird
42 posts
Feb 05, 2009
6:58 AM
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"File embedding code" is what you gave us for posting our sound files.
(a href="http://the address of your soundfile/soundfilename.wma")Click to hear soundfile.(/a)
How do you modify this so that the sound file opens up in a new window, not the current one. I think it's called the "target".
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2009 7:25 AM
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tookatooka
110 posts
Feb 05, 2009
7:26 AM
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OK.
(a href="http://the address of your soundfile/soundfilename.wma"TARGET=_blank)Click to hear soundfile.(/a)
Should open the link in a new window.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2009 7:28 AM
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Jaybird
43 posts
Feb 05, 2009
7:40 AM
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That's it! Thanks
(The little tune I played is called "Doublecrossed and Blue", on Suzuki Bluesmaster key of A, third position.)
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2009 7:54 AM
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Preston
117 posts
Feb 05, 2009
9:22 AM
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I think this sounds like a cool idea posting sound clips on the forumn. On a related note, what happened to the harpfriends channel on youtube? I mean wasn't there something like 3 pages on the thread of people asking to sign up and get a password? There are only a couple of us that put videos up. Where did everybody go?
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RyanMortos
67 posts
Feb 05, 2009
9:48 AM
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Im one of those who signed up and has not posted on harpfriends. I dont have a webcam or video camera. I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone else's videos and continue to check back for new ones.
Ive been doing some thinking on this. I came up with a cool way, I think, to post a video that contains my harmonica playing on youtube and Im hoping to have something up within a few weeks.
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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tookatooka
111 posts
Feb 05, 2009
10:06 AM
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Same here Preston. I go and see the videos but don't have the kit to create one. Whatsmore I think making a video would be intimidating for me and I wouldn't be able to play. I think the odd sound file would be OK for me.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Preston
118 posts
Feb 05, 2009
10:45 AM
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Makeing a video IS intimidating. I get nervous when I hit record on the camera, even when I'm all by myself in the room. It's kinda like getting on stage. But sometimes you gotta just jump in and do it. You can always do multiple takes before you post it if you don't like what your first try sounds like. There's nothing but constructive critisicm on there. It's like a jam camp for those of us who don't have the time (or money) to go to a jam camp.
So for those of you guys that do have a webcam, I encourage you to join in, even if you haven't been playing very long. I have a very cheap webcam, but I prefer to do videos with my digital camera in video mode. It is alot better quality.
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