PLAY                                 Michael J. Mefford
Plays tones and tunes on the PC's speaker   Version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Provides many of the music-producing functions of the
BASIC PLAY statement without the need to work in
BASIC.

Format
------

    PLAY[/K]              (Option I)

    PLAY string[/K]       (Option II)

    PLAY filespec/F[/K]   (Option III)

Remarks
-------
Entered at the DOS prompt with no arguments on the
command line (Option I), PLAY looks in the current
directory for a file named PLAY.DAT and executes the
commands in that file. The PLAY.DAT file included on
this disk is "Greensleeves."  The file can be
examined, and similar files created, with a regular
ASCII word processor.

Alternatively, PLAY can use either a command-line
string (Option II) or any legal DOS filename (Option
III) to supply the music command arguments. Filenames
may include a path designation, but must include the
/F terminator. A sample file "score," STING.DAT is
contained on this disk.

Pressing any key while PLAY is executing will
terminate operation unless the /K switch has been
added.

The command set used with PLAY is shown on the
following page and is exemplified in the PLAY.DAT and
STING.DAT files.

The PLAY Command Set
--------------------
K   Keyboard. K will cause PLAY not to poll the
    keyboard during play. If K is not found, any
    keystroke will exit.

On  Octave. n is a decimal number between 0 and 6.
    Middle C starts 03. The default is 04.

Ln  Length of time the notes will be played until the
    next L command is encountered. n is a decimal
    number between 1 and 64. For example, L4 =
    quarter-note and L8 = eighth note.

Tn  Tempo is the pace at which the music is played.
    n is a decimal number between 32 and 255. The
    larger the number, the faster the pace. The default
    is T120.

A-G Letter names corresponding to the notes of the
    scale. The letter name may be followed by
    either a # or + for a sharp, or a - for a flat.
    O3C = middle C.

Nn  Note to be played. n is a decimal number between
    1 and 84. Each increment is 1/12 of an octave. N
    can be used as an alternative to defining a note
    by a letter and an octave. For example, N37 =
    middle C.

Pn  Pause, or rest, for a length defined by n. P works
    in the same way as the L command above. For
    example, P2 = a half rest.

MN  Music Normal. The note is played 7/8 of its
    specified time, and 1/8 is a rest between notes.
    This is the default.

ML  Music Legato. The note is played the full length of
    time specified.

MS  Music Staccato. The note is played 3/4 of the time
    specified, and 1/4 is a rest between notes.

.   Dot. A dot can follow a letter note or a pause. A
    dotted note increases play time by half the duration
    of the note or pause. More than one dot may be used.
