Song Process

For each song in our system, there are several steps to accomplish. Here we discuss the five major stages a song goes through. There are variations for each step, depending on the software used. But these basics never change.

Find Sheet Music

First we must choose a song that has sheet music. This might be found in a thrift store, a library, a music store, or online. Once images are made of the pages, these are put into a pdf for convenience. Now a webpage can be created and the pdf added.

Type the Lyrics

Once we have a good song, someone can type the lyrics. These can also be found by searching online. This is more and more the case. However, there are often variations encountered that are very off-putting. So, editing is required. The lyrics need to be the same as the ones in our sheet music.

Typed lyrics are handy for making sure we have the song we are looking for. For simpler, familiar songs, a singer can sing right from the lyrics. Lyrics are used by some MIDI makers. Providing lyrics helps the search engines to find us. We become the single source for the lyrics of many rare songs. Now the lyrics are added to the song page.

Make an Accompaniment

We need to hear the musical accompaniment. This is what we will sing to in the singing stage. The accompaniment is usually in the form of a MIDI, although it can be a mp3 or other form of audio such as a live recording. Sometimes these can be found online. The earliest player piano rolls are straightforward enough for our purpose. But the rendition must match our sheet music closely. The accompaniment is put into the song page.

Record a Vocal

An audio recording needs to be made of the vocal. This can be done with many different software and hardware combinations. Tempo can be changed at this point. For comfortable singing and to get the best song effect tempo should usually be moderate or medium speed. The recording may or may not include the sounds of the accompaniment. In either case, it must be sung to the accompaniment and is best when sung directly from the sheet music.

Make a Video

For full demonstration we put all of the above into a video. Screenshots are made of the sheet music cover and music pages. The accompaniment and vocal are put together. Then a video editor is used to put the sheet music and vocal together. The video is uploaded to YouTube for many to enjoy.

These steps would take one person about four hours to produce a song. But, we usually pass the parts on from person to person as they become available. This causes there to be many songs in the pipeline in different stages of completion. The net result is the same productivity or more. As you can see, there are several places in the process that provide you with an opportunity to get involved. Many hands make light work.

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If you have read this far, you must really be interested. Let me say this: sheet music singing is a fun project. It will hold your interest. There are so many songs in sheet music that we are always just getting started. After the first eight years there are still plenty of songs and even quite a few great ones left to be uncovered. Its love to work on a very good song that you enjoy.

We feel a real sense of purpose in this. You might call it a mission to bring a little fame back to older music. There is enduring value in song. And art in general is important for civilization. You see so much hopeless desperation lived out in lives of crime today. Part of the answer needed is good music. We all need connection to the good things in life like art, culture, history, and the generosity of others. Sheet Music Singer is right there to help out.