Key-Finding Algorithm

This page provides a link to the Quattro Pro based Key-Finding Algorithm (kfa) we have developed and a MIDI to text conversion file necessary to run it. Instructions for use follow.

KFA - Instructions for use

The key finding algorithm (kfa) is an implementation of Carol Krumhansl's kfa. The first few steps refer to the conversion of MIDI to text, which uses UNIX-based software. The software to perform this conversion was created by Temperley and Sleator and can by downloaded from them. One note about this MIDI-to-text program is that it does not recognize MIDI files that were last edited in Cakewalk (and possibly other programs). However, if you open the file and save it using Finale, your MIDI-to-text problems will disappear.

MIDI-to-text:
1. Run mftext on your MIDI file.
2. Run "Convert" on the ".notes" file that you acquired from mftext.

Key-finding:
1. Open Quattro Pro.
2. Open the downloaded file called "Keyfinder.wb3.
3. Ensure that the cell A1 on the sheet Data Input is the selected cell.
4. Go to Data Tools ==> Quick Columns and then click on the folder button.
5. In the Open File window, choose File Type: All files.
6. Double click on the ".notes" file you want to analyze.
7. Choose Parse.
8. Save the file under a name other than "Keyfinder.wb3."

The "Correlations" sheet will give you the numeric correlations with all of the keys. The "Graphs 1" sheet produces graphs of these correlations. The "In Fifths" sheet will give you the numeric correlations arranged in the circle of fifths. The "Graphs 2" sheet will give you circular graphs of all the correlations arranged in fifths. The "Duration" sheet has some useful information, but is mostly used as an intermediate step for the program. Sheets labeled "Major" and "Minor" are constants and should never be altered by the user.