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2.15 Listening to output

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard for connecting and controlling digital instruments. A MIDI file is like a tape recording of a MIDI instrument.

To create a MIDI from a music piece of music, add a \midi block causes LilyPond to create a MIDI file, so you can listen to the music you entered. It is great for checking the music: octaves that are off or accidentals that were mistyped stand out very much when listening to the musical transcription.

The \midi block is added to \score, for example,

     \score {
         ..music..
         \midi  { \tempo 4=72 }
     }

Here, the tempo is specified using the \tempo command. In this case the tempo of quarter notes is set to 72 beats per minute. More information on auditory output in the notation manual, Sound.

If there is a \midi command in a \score, only MIDI will be produced. If notation is needed too, a \paper block must be added too

     \score {
         ..music..
         \midi  { \tempo 4=72 }
         \paper { }
     }

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