Document recognition of printed scores and transformation into MIDI

Abstract

The processing of printed music pieces on paper images is an interesting application to analyze printed information by a computer. The music notation presented on paper should be recognized and reproduced. Numerous methods of image processing and knowledge-based procedures are necessary. The DOREMIDI System allows the processing of simple piano music pieces for two hands characterized by the following steps: - Scanning paper images - Processing of binary image data into basic components - Knowledge-based analysis and symbolic representation of a musical score - Visual and acoustic reproduction of the results. DOREMIDI has been realized on a Macintosh II, using Common-Lisp (Clos) programming language. The user interface is equivalent to the common Macintosh-interface, which enables in an uncomplicated way to use windows and menus. A keyboard presents the results of the acoustical reproduction.