Just a quick announcement that my iPhone app "Tunebook" is available for free on the iPhone app store. It maintains a database of tunes in ABC format and lets you display them on the screen. You can download ABC files from the Web to add them to the database. You can search for tunes by time signature, key and words in the title. When I can be bothered, I'll be adding more features such as playback of the tunes in a tinny MIDI voice, advanced search, and allowing you to edit new tunes and so on.
I just grabbed it and checked it out. I was able to import an abc file OK, and everything works great! Good job on the beginnings of a good app!
I have written several iPhone apps, and I was toying with the idea of writing a "little black book" iPhone app, that lets you jot down ABC snippets while you're out at a session, and also look at the ABC of tunes, just to remember how they start. Since I know a number of people that carry around an analog one of those
But you beat me to it! So maybe the easiest feature for you to add would be an ABC display for each of the tunes. And then editing features and a player would be fantastic!
As a completely unbiassed individual with no axe to grind or financial involvement in this fine (and free) product, I can vouch for the efficacy and beautiful coolity of the JH Tunebook(TM). The glow from the massed ranks of Iphones as everyone gasps "So THAT's how the 3 Scones Of Boxty is meant to go!" makes a humdrum session look like an outtake from Close Encounters of the 4/4 Kind.
Having suffered from a brainial disfunction for the past few months that has rendered the act of playing one tune at a time nie on impossible, I can confidently state that the JH Tunebook(TM) has been a perfect substitute for the auld grey matter, if not an improvement on what was previously there ....
If someone starts a tune, surely the onus on everyone else in the session is to respect their version? It doesn't make a difference whether there is a consensus from all the other players that they would play it different from their memories or a electronic gizmo. You listen to the bloke who started it.
The Zippo lighter app is quite good too - a realistic lighter and flame, which moves around when you wave your iPhone / iPod over your head. A must for sessions, I'd have thought - and no fire risk!
I downloaded this app a couple of days ago and was glad to see it. I think the concept is great, and I will probably eventually abandon the Air Sharing/Word Doc approach I have been taking with tune lists. Well done, congrats etc. The midi idea is great.
On the more critical side I have not yet managed to download any abcs successfully (I was trying from this site). They arrived with part of the tune only. I can find no backup support anywhere on the net, hence my buttonholing you here...
Also I would like the ability to edit the list. At the moment the only delete offered is "delete everything".
Personally I would be happy to pay for an app with more features. (Edit lists, edit names, view and edit ABC, write tunes from scratch, keep playlist style lists, separate tune types, a simpler download method, wifi maybe, or perhaps the ability to download lists of abcs at a time.
Thanks for the feedback guys (the cheque's in the post, Ottery). This was just a spare time project, so there's a lot of stuff I'd like to do to it, but it depends on my finding the time to do it. I'm definitely adding an ABC text editor and a tinny MIDI player and I'd like to add more ways to edit the tune lists - perhaps a playlist-style organisation etc.
cag: If you email me a URL which fails for you, I'll take a look. Note that the app only works with real ABC files, not the pages of thesession.org which display tunes because they're HTML with embedded ABC (I'm working on that).
Also, to delete a single tune, swipe your finger from left to right over its entry in the list and the delete button will magically appear.
I might add that we were playing with this in the pub last night, testing out the MIDI player. We had a bunch of iPhones around the table and I suddenly realized that if we all started plying a tune, we could have a totally electronic iPhone session. The prospect was so horrifying that I vowed to stop development forthwith. The world is not ready for this.
To search by key, just type the key into the search field. The app doesn't bother searching for single letters in the title and assumes they're keys. You can also type time signatures such as 4/4.
I've found and fixed the bug. An update will arrive just as soon as it's got through the App Store review process. You'll have to re-import your tunes, I'm afraid.
Thanks for the delete tip. Am i missing some written instructions somewhere that might mean i can avoid asking questions which reveal my state of incompetence?
I was trying to download from this site so the html prob would be the reason it was not working. Can you suggest a source of abc that does not suffer this issue? Or are you using a wifi link to your own computer, and if so how do you do this..?
No, you're not missing any written instructions - I just haven;t got round to writing any due to the fact that I have to work for a living
I've been importing by creating a massive ABC file on my computer and downloading it via Wifi. I'm using a Mac, so it's a matter of putting the file into my "Sites" folder and turning on Web sharing. I don't know the equivalent for Windows, I'm afraid.
The way of using thesession.org for this is to add tunes to your Tunebook and then download the tunebook from your profile page.
if you can get some reasonable speakers, you should be able to fit this device into the instrument of your choice& with some deft icon work get it to play back abc files as the tune is played in any given session and won't have to bother learning to play. Think of the time saved!
Better still, if you agreed in advance what the tunes were going to be you could all more easily synchronise your phone files.
"I've been importing by creating a massive ABC file on my computer and downloading it via Wifi. I'm using a Mac, so it's a matter of putting the file into my "Sites" folder and turning on Web sharing. I don't know the equivalent for Windows, I'm afraid."
Thanks JerryH...
Anyone know how to do this with windows..? I have a couple of apps (air sharing, Fire (a great quality sound recording program)) that work through Wifi but they both allow themselves to be used as if they were a hard drive with a IP address. I don't know how to make a place on my computer act as if it has an address.
Again, thanks Michael, I now have about 600 tunes on my phone, all of Norbecks reels and jigs in fact...
Dealing with so many tunes underlines the need for organisational structures. Headings for tune type and personal set lists, ability to access and edit ABC, and tunes displayed in alphabetical order come to mind.
Not carping, know the deal with it being a sideline, but can see the potential and am very keen to see it fulfilled. So one more round of ...well done... Buy that man a beer someone closer than me...
I can promise that there will be a tinny MIDI player in the near future, an ABC editor and possibly organizational things similar to playlists. I'd also like to make it easier to get tunes into the app and allow sharing of tunes with Bluetooth and Wifi.
The bad news is that I'm thinking of charging (a small amount) for it in order to try and cover the costs of keeping the iPhone developer subscription going ($99 per year). The way I'd work it, it would be a free update to anyone who already has the app - only latecomers would get scre^H^H^H^Hto pay.
ABC software for the iPhone
ABC software for the iPhone
Just a quick announcement that my iPhone app "Tunebook" is available for free on the iPhone app store. It maintains a database of tunes in ABC format and lets you display them on the screen. You can download ABC files from the Web to add them to the database. You can search for tunes by time signature, key and words in the title. When I can be bothered, I'll be adding more features such as playback of the tunes in a tinny MIDI voice, advanced search, and allowing you to edit new tunes and so on.
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
That's a great resources. Its on my phone
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by I_Fel
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I just grabbed it and checked it out. I was able to import an abc file OK, and everything works great! Good job on the beginnings of a good app!
I have written several iPhone apps, and I was toying with the idea of writing a "little black book" iPhone app, that lets you jot down ABC snippets while you're out at a session, and also look at the ABC of tunes, just to remember how they start. Since I know a number of people that carry around an analog one of those
But you beat me to it! So maybe the easiest feature for you to add would be an ABC display for each of the tunes. And then editing features and a player would be fantastic!
Thanks!
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by Reverend
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
As a completely unbiassed individual with no axe to grind or financial involvement in this fine (and free) product, I can vouch for the efficacy and beautiful coolity of the JH Tunebook(TM). The glow from the massed ranks of Iphones as everyone gasps "So THAT's how the 3 Scones Of Boxty is meant to go!" makes a humdrum session look like an outtake from Close Encounters of the 4/4 Kind.
Having suffered from a brainial disfunction for the past few months that has rendered the act of playing one tune at a time nie on impossible, I can confidently state that the JH Tunebook(TM) has been a perfect substitute for the auld grey matter, if not an improvement on what was previously there ....
(Is that enough, Jerry?)
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by Ottery
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
If someone starts a tune, surely the onus on everyone else in the session is to respect their version? It doesn't make a difference whether there is a consensus from all the other players that they would play it different from their memories or a electronic gizmo. You listen to the bloke who started it.
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Think you're suffering a bit of of a 'sense of Humour Bypass' there Monsieur Gill(!)
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by Ottery
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I hope so
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
# Posted on July 20th 2009 by Ottery
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
The Zippo lighter app is quite good too - a realistic lighter and flame, which moves around when you wave your iPhone / iPod over your head. A must for sessions, I'd have thought - and no fire risk!
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I downloaded this app a couple of days ago and was glad to see it. I think the concept is great, and I will probably eventually abandon the Air Sharing/Word Doc approach I have been taking with tune lists. Well done, congrats etc. The midi idea is great.
On the more critical side I have not yet managed to download any abcs successfully (I was trying from this site). They arrived with part of the tune only. I can find no backup support anywhere on the net, hence my buttonholing you here...
Also I would like the ability to edit the list. At the moment the only delete offered is "delete everything".
Personally I would be happy to pay for an app with more features. (Edit lists, edit names, view and edit ABC, write tunes from scratch, keep playlist style lists, separate tune types, a simpler download method, wifi maybe, or perhaps the ability to download lists of abcs at a time.
Again, good start, I will stay with it...
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by cag
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Thanks for the feedback guys (the cheque's in the post, Ottery). This was just a spare time project, so there's a lot of stuff I'd like to do to it, but it depends on my finding the time to do it. I'm definitely adding an ABC text editor and a tinny MIDI player and I'd like to add more ways to edit the tune lists - perhaps a playlist-style organisation etc.
cag: If you email me a URL which fails for you, I'll take a look. Note that the app only works with real ABC files, not the pages of thesession.org which display tunes because they're HTML with embedded ABC (I'm working on that).
Also, to delete a single tune, swipe your finger from left to right over its entry in the list and the delete button will magically appear.
I might add that we were playing with this in the pub last night, testing out the MIDI player. We had a bunch of iPhones around the table and I suddenly realized that if we all started plying a tune, we could have a totally electronic iPhone session. The prospect was so horrifying that I vowed to stop development forthwith. The world is not ready for this.
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Thanks for making this available and including the ability to load my own tunes!
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by Michael Eskin
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Jerry,
In the app, how do you search by key?
Cheers and thanks,
Michael
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by Michael Eskin
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
To search by key, just type the key into the search field. The app doesn't bother searching for single letters in the title and assumes they're keys. You can also type time signatures such as 4/4.
# Posted on July 21st 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Jerry,
it doesn't seem to work... Tried various combinations of single letters, key/mode names, no joy...
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Michael
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by Michael Eskin
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I've found and fixed the bug. An update will arrive just as soon as it's got through the App Store review process. You'll have to re-import your tunes, I'm afraid.
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Excellent! Thanks!
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by Michael Eskin
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
The world is more than ready for a MIDI - Irish session.
;)
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Thanks for the delete tip. Am i missing some written instructions somewhere that might mean i can avoid asking questions which reveal my state of incompetence?
I was trying to download from this site so the html prob would be the reason it was not working. Can you suggest a source of abc that does not suffer this issue? Or are you using a wifi link to your own computer, and if so how do you do this..?
Keep up the good work, love the principle...
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by cag
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
No, you're not missing any written instructions - I just haven;t got round to writing any due to the fact that I have to work for a living
I've been importing by creating a massive ABC file on my computer and downloading it via Wifi. I'm using a Mac, so it's a matter of putting the file into my "Sites" folder and turning on Web sharing. I don't know the equivalent for Windows, I'm afraid.
The way of using thesession.org for this is to add tunes to your Tunebook and then download the tunebook from your profile page.
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
You, sir (or madam?), are amazing. Amazing!
# Posted on July 22nd 2009 by treecipitation
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
if you can get some reasonable speakers, you should be able to fit this device into the instrument of your choice& with some deft icon work get it to play back abc files as the tune is played in any given session and won't have to bother learning to play. Think of the time saved!
Better still, if you agreed in advance what the tunes were going to be you could all more easily synchronise your phone files.
# Posted on July 23rd 2009 by pavlf
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
"I've been importing by creating a massive ABC file on my computer and downloading it via Wifi. I'm using a Mac, so it's a matter of putting the file into my "Sites" folder and turning on Web sharing. I don't know the equivalent for Windows, I'm afraid."
Thanks JerryH...
Anyone know how to do this with windows..? I have a couple of apps (air sharing, Fire (a great quality sound recording program)) that work through Wifi but they both allow themselves to be used as if they were a hard drive with a IP address. I don't know how to make a place on my computer act as if it has an address.
Any knowhow out there..?
# Posted on July 23rd 2009 by cag
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I FTP my .abc files to my ISPs personal webspace, then download it from there.
# Posted on July 23rd 2009 by Michael Eskin
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Thanks Michael
# Posted on July 23rd 2009 by cag
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Posted later...
Again, thanks Michael, I now have about 600 tunes on my phone, all of Norbecks reels and jigs in fact...
Dealing with so many tunes underlines the need for organisational structures. Headings for tune type and personal set lists, ability to access and edit ABC, and tunes displayed in alphabetical order come to mind.
Not carping, know the deal with it being a sideline, but can see the potential and am very keen to see it fulfilled. So one more round of ...well done... Buy that man a beer someone closer than me...
# Posted on July 24th 2009 by cag
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
You heard him!
I can promise that there will be a tinny MIDI player in the near future, an ABC editor and possibly organizational things similar to playlists. I'd also like to make it easier to get tunes into the app and allow sharing of tunes with Bluetooth and Wifi.
The bad news is that I'm thinking of charging (a small amount) for it in order to try and cover the costs of keeping the iPhone developer subscription going ($99 per year). The way I'd work it, it would be a free update to anyone who already has the app - only latecomers would get scre^H^H^H^Hto pay.
# Posted on August 9th 2009 by JerryH
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
I've tried unsuccessfuly to load this file:
http://www.iwilson.co.uk/abc/Jigs.abc
Is the formatting correct, or am I doing something wrong ... ?
Thanks,
Ian
# Posted on August 28th 2009 by iwilson
Re: ABC software for the iPhone
Hi JerryH, whats the difference between the paid and the free version?
# Posted on October 20th 2010 by piobagusfidil