For those of you that missed it, I built an ABC tune search engine that does "fuzzy" matching, and searches numerous databases.
I just noticed that 3 of the last 8 discussions were for Tune IDs where the people actually posted snippets of ABC. And my tune search would have identified the correct tune every time.
To use it, put anywhere from 2 to 8 bars of ABC in the search box, select the tune type from the dropdown, and then select Start ABC Search. If you only put 2 bars in, you're likely to get lots of sketchy results. If you put in more than one part, you're likely to not get ANY results. Putting in 4 bars seems to be about the optimal search. And the 4 bars can be from any part of the tune.
If it isn't one of the top few results, you can select Show More Results to see other partial matches. Or you can try putting in more (or less) ABC to search for.
If you STILL don't find the tune, you can try a contour search, by selecting Contour Search, and entering the root note of the key your transcription is in.
Anyway, just thought I'd mention it again, because people are going to the trouble of writing out some ABC, so it would answer your questions for you in most cases!
I just finished using Rev's site to find names for the "mystery tunes" (i.e., ones I couldn't put a name to) from Clare FM's recent Kitchen Session in Boston. It worked like a champ. I find it much easier than the exact note-sequence matches required by the mustard board's Advanced Search function (or even Google). A good example was was "Darby's Farewell to London." I'd have been all night finding that one without "fuzzy" matching.
Thanks Reverend - that's magic. Just tried it with 6 notes of a jig I'd been searching for and it came up third on a list of 10. It's actually on the database here at http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/809. Your URL is definitely one we should all bookmark.
It hasn't been working for me today. Usually it's great, but today every search I've tried just keeps flashing the animated "Searching" message until I eventually give up and shut it down. I've waited as much as 10 minutes with no results.
Yeah, I haven't quite figured that one out. I think what may be happening is that the server is getting busy, and the PHP script that is doing all the work is timing out - so it will never return.
I've been trying to stomp that one for a while, but haven't figured it out yet.
I actually considered making it a subscription service ($1/month or something), so that I could afford to put it on a robust hosting service, instead of on my personal server. But charging a subscription fee flies in the face of what trad music means to me...
Tune search help - give it a try
Tune search help - give it a try
For those of you that missed it, I built an ABC tune search engine that does "fuzzy" matching, and searches numerous databases.
I just noticed that 3 of the last 8 discussions were for Tune IDs where the people actually posted snippets of ABC. And my tune search would have identified the correct tune every time.
To use it, put anywhere from 2 to 8 bars of ABC in the search box, select the tune type from the dropdown, and then select Start ABC Search. If you only put 2 bars in, you're likely to get lots of sketchy results. If you put in more than one part, you're likely to not get ANY results. Putting in 4 bars seems to be about the optimal search. And the 4 bars can be from any part of the tune.
If it isn't one of the top few results, you can select Show More Results to see other partial matches. Or you can try putting in more (or less) ABC to search for.
If you STILL don't find the tune, you can try a contour search, by selecting Contour Search, and entering the root note of the key your transcription is in.
http://abctunesearch.com
Anyway, just thought I'd mention it again, because people are going to the trouble of writing out some ABC, so it would answer your questions for you in most cases!
(It does require a recent Flash Player, btw)
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Reverend
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
So far, it's batting 1000 for me! Thanks Rev!
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Gzeg
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
I just finished using Rev's site to find names for the "mystery tunes" (i.e., ones I couldn't put a name to) from Clare FM's recent Kitchen Session in Boston. It worked like a champ. I find it much easier than the exact note-sequence matches required by the mustard board's Advanced Search function (or even Google). A good example was was "Darby's Farewell to London." I'd have been all night finding that one without "fuzzy" matching.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by alec b
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
Thanks Reverend - that's magic. Just tried it with 6 notes of a jig I'd been searching for and it came up third on a list of 10. It's actually on the database here at http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/809. Your URL is definitely one we should all bookmark.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Bannerman
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
Thanks Rev it's a great resource!----esp when the players can't remember the names any way!!
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by banjoian
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
Have been using your site for a bit now... Very, very handy tool.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by davydd
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
It hasn't been working for me today. Usually it's great, but today every search I've tried just keeps flashing the animated "Searching" message until I eventually give up and shut it down. I've waited as much as 10 minutes with no results.
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
That was on my office machine. At home last night it worked fine. Maybe a reboot is all that's needed.
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Tune search help - give it a try
Yeah, I haven't quite figured that one out. I think what may be happening is that the server is getting busy, and the PHP script that is doing all the work is timing out - so it will never return.
I've been trying to stomp that one for a while, but haven't figured it out yet.
I actually considered making it a subscription service ($1/month or something), so that I could afford to put it on a robust hosting service, instead of on my personal server. But charging a subscription fee flies in the face of what trad music means to me...
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by Reverend