Question: What is the Key of D?
Answer: The tunes on this site use the diatonic scale. The diatonic scale consists of two whole steps, a half step, three whole steps and another half step. It is the familiar do re mi scale from grade school.
If you begin the scale on C, the scale is spelled CDEFGABC. This is the key of C. On a piano when you begin on C the white keys follow the diatonic scale pattern as written with no sharps or flats.
If you begin on D, the scale is spelled DEFGABCD. However, this does not follow the diatonic scale pattern on a piano unless you sharp the F and C. The D scale is DEF#GABC#D. You can work out the other keys using the same reasoning. The key of G is GABCDEF#G. The key of A is ABC#DEF#G#A.
Question: Why don't you provide a ZIP file for Users so that they can download all of the tunes at once?
Answer: I call this site Hetzler's Fakebook rather than Ed's MIDI Heaven because it is intended as a learning resource. You can only learn a limited number of tunes at a time. Hence the site is set up for easy download of specific tunes rather than as a bulk download site for MIDI.
Question: Why are the tunes so slow compared to what I hear on CD or at concerts?
Answer: The MIDI files on this site are intended for instructional purposes. They should be used with an adjustable tempo MIDI player such as Notation Musician. The default tempo for American and Scottish reels (4/4) in this collection is a quarter note equals 224. The default tempo for Irish reels is 240. Celtic hornpipes default to a quarter note. equals 180. American hornpipes are played like reels. Strathspeys default to a quarter note equals 115. Performers often play faster than this, but for learning purposes these are reasonable.
The best approach for learning is to focus on intonation, phrasing and rhythm. Speed will come naturally as you master these. Inexperienced players often focus on speed because they are trying to mimic a recording. Dexterity without musicianship leads to poor playing.
Question: Why are the arrangements so boring?
Answer: I try to keep the arrangements simple and consistent for teaching purposes. My hope is that once you learn the basic tune you will improvise and elaborate on it. I frequently update tunes and tweak the arrangements as I become better at creating and working with MIDI files, but I have no plans to change the focus of this site.
Hetzler's Fakebook
Hetzler's Fakebook
