EarTest for Windows 1.12

This is the first release of EarTest for Windows, now with 
several bugfixes and minor and major improvements.


What EarTest Is
---------------
EarTest is a computerized ear-training program. It is designed 
to put into effect two of the most basic ear training exercises 
suggested by David L. Burge in his course for acquiring perfect 
pitch (sometimes known as absolute pitch). 

EarTest is very flexible, so it can do Burges exercises, but also 
a lot more. EarTest can test you on any group of notes in any octave(s), 
with any sound your midi instrument (or midi-capable soundcard) can 
produce. EarTest can select notes in a totally random way or it can be 
set to move melodically, with the same proportion of large and small 
intervals as typical musical melodies. The selection of notes can be 
weighted, so that you can, for instance, concentrate your practice on 
a few particularly difficult notes or make melodies that have the 
right distribution of notes for F major or C# minor.

You can respond instantly to the question notes, by either clicking your 
mouse on the correct answer, or responding with a midi keyboard. EarTest 
gives you instantaneous visual (and, optionally, aural) feedback that 
tells you whether you have responded correctly. This immediate 
reinforcement of both right and wrong answers is very powerful 
in helping you build your musical reflexes.

EarTest has powerful statistical features that tell you how well you 
are learning each note and can help you pinpoint which notes you are 
getting confused with which. 

For detailed instructions and help with setting EarTest, start EarTest 
and click on the "Help" menu.  In most cases, however, this won't
be necessary. Just start EarTest, follow the on-screen instructions,
and you're off and running.


EarTest System Requirements
---------------------------
EarTest for Windows should work on Win95 and better. You will need 
a soundcard (or an external midi device) attached to your computer.
EarTest requires a minimum graphics mode of 640x480 and 16 colors.


Latest Version of Eartest
-------------------------
You can always find the latest version of EarTest at

   http://oz.sunflower.org/~bhugh/eartest.spm


Registering EarTest
-------------------
EarTest is shareware; the unregistered version is limited to practicing
5 notes at a time (this is not as restrictive as it sounds, because
you can practice ANY 5 notes you want).  If you use EarTest, you
are encouraged to register. Details are in the EarTest.hlp file and
in register.txt.


Distributing EarTest
--------------------
The unregistered version of EarTest may be freely distributed as 
long as all files from the original zip file are included.  You 
may give the unregistered version of EarTest to friends, upload 
it to BBSs or shareware archives, etc.  You may not sell EarTest, 
although charging a nominal fee when distributing EarTest as part 
of an archive of similar programs (say, as part of a shareware 
CDRom) is permitted.


What's New in This Version
--------------------------
1.03, Sep 1999
   Added option "Wrong Note Reps = -1".  This setting causes EarTest 
    to repeat the same question until you finally get the correct answer. 
   Fixed a few bugs 
   Updated help file a bit

1.04
   Fixed problem: "chord" radio button malfunctioning
   Added "MidiPatchDelay" to the "eartest.ini" file, so you 
    can set a delay loop to run between sending patch and actual 
    midi note on/off.  Some midi devices freak out with no delay 
    because it takes them a few milliseconds to change the patch.  
    Change this "MidiPatchDelay" value by editing the EarTest.ini 
    file. See the FAQ for more details.

1.05, Dec 1999
   Winiconhandle was an "integer"; in some cases this caused a 
    crash. Changed to "atom", which fixed the problem.
   Removed a bunch of dead code.

1.1, Dec 1999
   You can now answer with computer keyboard as well as with mouse 
    and midi keyboard.
   You can adjust the volume of the sounds played on right answer/
    wrong answer.
   Made the "option/option" screen smaller. Now EarTest is 
    completely compatible with 640x480 graphics mode.
   Updated the Help File extensively. Added "Research Reports" 
    section. Added further FAQs. Found a way to reduce help file 
    size dramatically (by about 85%).
   Added further "tips" that appear when items on the main 
    screen are clicked.
   Added context sensitive help to many main screen items (press 
    F1 while entering values to see the relevant section of the 
    help file).
   Added "hints" for some main screen items.  These appear when 
    you move the mouse above some items.

1.11, Feb 2000
   Removed "hints" because they cause fatal errors in some 
    situations.  Hints will be restored in a future version--without
    the fatal errors.

1.12, Feb 2000
   Fixed problem with note/chord radio buttons.
   Fixed problem in "Test Mode" (inadvertant signaling of 
    correct/incorrect answer).
   Added "Reset Scores" button.
   Made improvements to Options menu.
   Changed text in "Test Mode" to better explain how it works.
   Uses Win32lib ver 0.45i (ver 1.11 was bound with the 
    wrong Win32Lib version).



--Brent Hugh
bhugh@oz.sunflower.org
http://oz.sunflower.org/~bhugh/eartest.spm
February 2000