### 2.15 Listening to output

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard for connecting and controlling digital instruments. A MIDI file is like a tape recording of a MIDI instrument.

To create a MIDI from a music piece of music, add a `\midi` block causes LilyPond to create a MIDI file, so you can listen to the music you entered. It is great for checking the music: octaves that are off or accidentals that were mistyped stand out very much when listening to the musical transcription.

The `\midi` block is added to `\score`, for example,

         \score {
             ..music..
             \midi  { \tempo 4=72 }
         }

Here, the tempo is specified using the `\tempo` command. In this case the tempo of quarter notes is set to 72 beats per minute. More information on auditory output in the notation manual, Sound.

If there is a `\midi` command in a `\score`, only MIDI will be produced. If notation is needed too, a `\paper` block must be added too

         \score {
             ..music..
             \midi  { \tempo 4=72 }
             \paper { }
         }

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