Author Topic: MicroSoft Access - Data Base for Hundreds of guitar Mags!! (Read 1727 times)

Gizmo · « **on:** February 04, 2008, 04:17:16 PM »

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Microsoft Access in particular creating a database for music?

Since 2002, I have been buying guitar magazines. Over the last 5 years I have averaged about 80%+ of the Guitars Techniques and Guitarist Magazine issues, about 40-50% of Total guitar and some random other ones. I had to buy a work type filing cabinet to keep them all!!

I moved out of my parents house and due to space in my new room decided to rip out all the interesting demos, lessons and particularly all the song music/tabs + kept the front covers and other important parts and put them into folders.

However, If I want to play something or practice a new technique, such as sweep picking I have no idea which magazine to look through. My new project idea is to create a data base which will tell me which magazine issue a particular artist, or technique or theory is located.

The next step would be to scan in all the sheets and front covers and have it all stored electronically and link the data base to the scanned docs. I’m not sure if I could put the cd’s onto the computer. (not sure if they are copy resistant?) + there are hundreds of cd’s, so it will probably take up a lot of storage space!?

I don’t really make any effort to learn songs off by heart so if I want to play something I have to look it up so this would be really useful.

Any ideas would be appreciated? This would be my first MS Access project.

Thanks

ailean · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2008, 09:58:14 PM »

Hi

I'm not that familier with Access I'm afraid I mostly work with SQL but the principles are the same.

First off, if all you need is a table of data then consider using a spreadsheet, Excel has very nice features for simple data manipulation, the simplest and most useful is the autofilter.

Not being familier with access i don't know what facilities it has to produce the front end interface, both for data input and retrival. I know it will handle the database side very well, but if you are looking to link to external sources (files / folders etc) you may need to use something a bit more dynamic, which means either a web or application based program to do your in/out stuff.

I'll be happy to help you, but have a good think about what data you want to store, and what data you want to be able to filter / search on. Then PM me and I'll supply my email address so you can let me know of your ideas.

Jonny · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2008, 11:25:49 PM »

If you can wait out, I'm doing an ECDL course in school on various Microsoft Office Applications. I haven't done Access yet but will in due course (or if I have, I can do a little touch up)

Bare with me?

goddamn electric · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:44:28 PM »

an oracle database with a front end would perfect but if you dont have any sql experience then its not really feasible. it may be an idea to use access and produce a front end with Visual basic, pretty easy to learn if you have time and it'll give you a decent interface.

Jonny · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:23:20 PM »

Hey Gizmo. I had my first lesson on Access today and learnt how to do Tables, forms and queries.

If you're interested, PM me so I can see what I can tell you. PDT_003

Gizmo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:24:13 PM »

had a quick look at access this evening. i started a create a few tables and forms. very basic. think, im going to try this one myself. i think its a gd idea to learn access anyway. if i get stuck i'll pm you. if anyone
has done somthing like this though it would be gd to have a look.