JAC'S MIDI PLAYER (Version 1.1 July 1996)

This little programme is pretty much like the run of MIDI players to be
found in the shareware forums, but it differs from the latter in four
main ways-

-the program is in the Public Domain 
-it comes with the Visual Basic Code so that you can make improvements
 and additions of your own if you own Visual Basic 3 for Windows or above
-it will show the words of the songs while they are being played and you 
 can select different lyrics to go with with the same tunes. The words
 must be available in text files to accompany the MIDI files
-it enables you to do some basic management of your MIDI files from 
 within the program (copying, renamimg, grouping in albums etc.)

The MENU commands should be self-explanatory. Use the command SELECT LYRIC
to chose a set of words to go with a particular tune which you have
selected.If a song has only one possible lyric the program will load the
words automatically provided it has an identical name to the MIDI file.

I cannot guarantee a bug-free product, but it works OK for me both in
Windows 3.1 and in Windows95. It is assumed that you have a sound card 
installed and properly configured for MIDI output. The program does not
provide a facility for setting up MIDI ins and outs, though one could be
added. See 'Visual Basic How-To' by Thomas, Arnson and Waite
(Waite Group Press) for helpful guidance on programming with the Windows
API. I am indebted to this book for a number of programming hints
and in particular for the MessageHook custom control which is supplied
on the  disk which accompanies the book.

Make sure you have a copy of VBRUN300 in your Windows/System directory.
You should also copy the MsgHook.VBX file to the same directory.

Comments and copies of improved versions, and of MIDI files with lyrics
are always welcome!


I have hordes of albums of tin-pan-alley songs, and folksongs but I am
unwilling to distribute these till I am sure regarding the legal implications
of producing for the benefit of others arrangememts and performances of songs
protected by copyright,even there is no financial gain involved. If anyone 
can provide me with up to date and accurate information on this issue I shall
be most grateful 

J.A. Campbell 100117.1573@compuserve.com
  

