Database Program?

[aelliscomposer]

Hi All,

I am beginning to rack up a number of compositions in different genres and styles as I continue to score for films, etc., as well as samples and clips. I'm beginning to see the use of these as a library to use for liscencing, as well as for my own future use, but I need a database program that I could search under different queries - ie: scary, happy, sad, OR instrumental, rock, orchestral, OR guitars, flutes, voice, OR 120 bpm, 80 bpm, 160 bpm, etc ... where different compositions may fit in any number of categories, thus making it cumbersome to create a number of file folders...

Any suggestions? What do you use?

Thanks!!

Adrian

[Tony Monaghan]

A database sounds like an interesting idea! Part of my job is designing databases (Windows or web), and I would be happy to devlelop such a program.

Can you give me a detailed spec on what would be needed? Exactly what information do you want to record? How detailed do you want the searching to be - the queries you suggest would be easy to implement.

I'd like to hear from any others who might find such an application useful.

[Richard N.]

Tony,

An Access database I am developing is aimed at music ensemble librarians - focussed on my own big band library at the moment.

Out of 700+ charts I want to be able to search on Composer, arranger, soloist(s), tempo, style, pitch ranges, total length, last time performed, etc., Obviously designing the database isn't too tricky - extracting all the detail from the scores to create the database in the first place is the most onerous task :).

When it comes to programming a concert (in the sense of choosing the pieces to play) it will make it easier to find, say, a mid-tempo tenor sax feature that doesn't tax the trumpets too much (so they can cope with the Maynard Ferguson chart which is coming up next!) that the band hasn;t performed in the last 6 months.

[Tony Monaghan]

Richard, that sounds very interesting. How far have you got with the project? Would you be willing to share such an application?

I have been looking recently at a web based search engine which can parse the meta data associated with MP3's but I'm not sure if enough useful information could be included to be as concise as you would require.

Any other thoughts?

[rwayland]

Hi All,

I am beginning to rack up a number of compositions in different genres and styles as I continue to score for films, etc., as well as samples and clips. I'm beginning to see the use of these as a library to use for liscencing, as well as for my own future use, but I need a database program that I could search under different queries - ie: scary, happy, sad, OR instrumental, rock, orchestral, OR guitars, flutes, voice, OR 120 bpm, 80 bpm, 160 bpm, etc ... where different compositions may fit in any number of categories, thus making it cumbersome to create a number of file folders...

Any suggestions? What do you use?

Thanks!!

Adrian


Well, I have been using the same data base program since about 1986, and I can design a file that will do all that you have asked. The only problem is that the screen size is a bit small on my XP machine but is okay on my Win 98. The software is Q&A, version 2, I think. It is still available, in a version 8 or later. I use it mostly to keep tabs on my 2000 + books and 5000 + recordings. Seems to me that the data base included in MS Works would also do the job. The reason I don't use it for my music compositions is that it is a demanding task to keep it current. The idea of it is good, and some day I will probably work up a good file. But not today.

Richard

[aelliscomposer]

A database sounds like an interesting idea! Part of my job is designing databases (Windows or web), and I would be happy to devlelop such a program.

Can you give me a detailed spec on what would be needed? Exactly what information do you want to record? How detailed do you want the searching to be - the queries you suggest would be easy to implement.

I'd like to hear from any others who might find such an application useful.

Wow, Tony, this is quite unexpected!

Well, I would imagine that many with more experience than I would want to have some input on this as well! I have just begun thinking about this, so my input may be limited. Perhaps there is a way to make categories flexible - ie: perhaps you can create your own, with tags being associated with new music files as you create them?

Categories I would imagine helpful:

1. Tempo
2. Instrumentation
3. Lead Instrument
4. Style
5. Genre
6. Mood/Feel
7. Vocals/Lyric content
8. Key

There is a non-music centered database I have heard of called 'Filemaker Pro 8' - which offers a 'Creatives' option for us left-brainers. It looks great, and is very integrative - it is a business oriented program which includes contact databases, project management, and other useful apps. The one thing making me hesitate is the hefty $499.00 US pricetag. Yikers!

Richard, thanks for the suggestions - I'll look into those!

Adrian

[rwayland]

Richard, that sounds very interesting. How far have you got with the project? Would you be willing to share such an application?

I have been looking recently at a web based search engine which can parse the meta data associated with MP3's but I'm not sure if enough useful information could be included to be as concise as you would require.

Any other thoughts?

Well, the program does not generate stand alone data base. It requires the Q & A software. I will try to find a way to give you a better picture of it. I do have a link to the current mfr of the product, and the price is around $200.00.

The software also has a word processor built in, but I have not used it for many years.


Q&A Software
http://www.pcta-usa.com/qa.htm

Check it out, and I will also try to give a better, concise description.

Richard

ADDENDUM:
It just occurred to me that I can generate a DBIV file and send it to you, if you want, and if you can read DBIV (or DBIII) files. That would give you a good idea.

[Tony Monaghan]

It just occurred to me that I can generate a DBIV file and send it to you, if you want, and if you can read DBIV (or DBIII) files. That would give you a good idea.

A DBIV file would give me an very good idea of how your application works. If you can send me the file minus any data that would be helpful.

If I was to create an application it would have to be stand-alone. There's little point in creating an Access or Filemaker app since you would need the parent software. Unfortunately I can only develop software for Windows.

I'm off to start tinkering...

[rwayland]

A DBIV file would give me an very good idea of how your application works. If you can send me the file minus any data that would be helpful.

If I was to create an application it would have to be stand-alone. There's little point in creating an Access or Filemaker app since you would need the parent software. Unfortunately I can only develop software for Windows.

I'm off to start tinkering...

Okay, if this flu shot reaction lets me think clearly a little longer, I will try to get it off to you in an hour or so.

Richard

[rwayland]

A DBIV file would give me an very good idea of how your application works. If you can send me the file minus any data that would be helpful.

If I was to create an application it would have to be stand-alone. There's little point in creating an Access or Filemaker app since you would need the parent software. Unfortunately I can only develop software for Windows.

I'm off to start tinkering...

Well, the flu shot must have addled my thinking. I can export my data as DBIII, but that is is. I don't know what good an empty data file would be, but tell me what you think.

Richard

[Tony Monaghan]

Richard, a DBIII file is fine. I only need the structure and not the data because I just need to see how you've organised the fields that you're using. I have some ideas myself that maybe I would find useful but not to others.

Instead of emailing a file you could also just post the list of fields that you use and and a list of which fields you like to search on.

Tony

[Richard N.]

Richard, that sounds very interesting. How far have you got with the project? Would you be willing to share such an application?



Tony - sorry for not getting back quicker....

I am still in the "chossing the fields" stage and collecting initial data - as I go through the charts, I find additional fields that need populating and then have to go back over the stuff I have already been through.

I am currently working in Excel, but once the number and nature of the fields becomes stable, I will then migrate to Access to complete the data inputting exercise.

Once I have the database up and running, I'll gladly share it with you. Mind you I am running this exercise concurrently with my "get the whole library scanned into .pdf format" exercise, so I'm looking at at least christmas before I get to the tarting up stage in Access and creating reports, forms etc.,

[Skysaw]

I recently started to set up an excel file for this as well, and toyed with the idea of a custom application, but so far don't want to put any resources into that.

My main desire was to have a catalog of music-related files in order to help me file and locate them on my hard drive.

[Tony Monaghan]

It shouldn't be too difficult to come up with a dedicated application however, the database would be fixed with not much in the way of customisation. If I have a list of essential fields (indexed for searching), and some other general purpose fields, I migh be able to come up with something useful.

I'll try and get a test app available for download if anyone would like to review it and provide suggestions, maybe early next week.

[aelliscomposer]

Right on, Tony, that sounds awesome!

Adrian

[rwayland]

Richard, a DBIII file is fine. I only need the structure and not the data because I just need to see how you've organised the fields that you're using. I have some ideas myself that maybe I would find useful but not to others.

Instead of emailing a file you could also just post the list of fields that you use and and a list of which fields you like to search on.

Tony

Okay, that will be easy enough to do between the surges of misery from this flu induced by that flu shot on Tuesday.

Richard

[rwayland]

Richard, a DBIII file is fine. I only need the structure and not the data because I just need to see how you've organised the fields that you're using. I have some ideas myself that maybe I would find useful but not to others.

Instead of emailing a file you could also just post the list of fields that you use and and a list of which fields you like to search on.

Tony


Sorry for the delay. That was a long lasting flu shot! Still lingering effects.

Stumbled across this today. Might give you some ideas.


http://www.midnightsuncomputing.com/duchess_easy_sheet_music_library.htm


Here are the fields I used on Q&A. More fields can easily be added at any time.

Title
Sub-title
Major work
Previous title
Catalog Nr. (or index nr or opus nr)
Instruments
Cakewalk Folder
Sib Folder
SCORE IV folder
Copyright Nr.
Completed Date
Revision Date
Length
Form
First Performance
Remarks

[fastlane]

Okay, that will be easy enough to do between the surges of misery from this flu induced by that flu shot on Tuesday.

Richard

You can't get the flu from a flu shot. The flu vaccine is a dead virus. It takes about two weeks to become immunized after receiving the vaccine. Some people may get the flu during that period and mistakenly connect it to the vaccination.

[Tony Monaghan]

Many thanks Richard! I can work with that.

More later....

[rwayland]

You can't get the flu from a flu shot. The flu vaccine is a dead virus. It takes about two weeks to become immunized after receiving the vaccine. Some people may get the flu during that period and mistakenly connect it to the vaccination.

What you say makes very good sense. But, every year, get the flu shot, flu symptons appear within about 12 hours. Every year for at least 12 years!

Richard

[Tony Monaghan]

Just a head's up. I've been inundated with work this week so I haven't had much time to work on the application. I hope to have a beta version ready for monday or tuesday.

Thanks for your patience!