c++ program for a virtual piano.

[takando12]

I started with c++ 6 months back in school and have a grasp over the basics,selection statements,iterations,arrays,functions.
I have no knowledge of graphics,structures.
My desire is to create a virtual piano using c++.I don't want the whole code or anything, but I would like some help to start.I don't exactly know the areas where i should be familiar with to create this.I am willing to learn but need guidance as to what to learn.
I've tried to use the help section in c++ to learn a little graphics.

The main objectives and problems as per my conclusion are:
1) drawing the piano using graphics.h and coloring it.
2) connecting the keyboard to the program.
3) playing the required frequencies when the keys are pressed.(I think the sound() function will help?)
4) naming the keys( A,B,C)as pert he notes and also turning them a different shade of color when the respective key is pressed.
5)To make the duration of each sound for as long as the user is pressing the key. The sound must stop when the user removes his finger from the key.
6) What happens when you press more than one key ie. multiple sounds(I think this is not required as my piano will be quite primitive anyway)

I have absolutely no idea how to proceed.I think drawing the piano and naming the keys are relatively easier,but the rest I am blank.
Our teachers will not help us and have asked us to learn ourselves and we have about 2 weeks as the time limit.Because of the limited time and my approaching exams, I just want to know what functions to use so I can go read up about them and what is the extent of things c++can do, which is turning out to be very hard to find out myself. It doesn't have to be a perfect piano as there are better programming languages to do that, but since this is our syllabus,I am expected to produce the best c++ can do.
I am using the Turboc3 version for windows 7.
I desperately need help. And excuse me for the seemingly stupidity but my knowledge is poor although I am eager to learn.Please give me guidance and some sort of direction.

[GReaper]

I am using the Turboc3 version for windows 7.

OMG, please don't! Choose a real IDE such as CodeBlocks, Netbeans, Eclipse or even Orwell Dev-C++.

[takando12]

Well, the problem is the school lab uses Turboc3 and that's what all the students are asked to use. Nevertheless, I will try to convince my teacher somehow and use dev c++(Never used it before,I hope it's the same).
Can I get some help as to the program now? Please?

[takando12]

OMG, please don't! Choose a real IDE such as CodeBlocks, Netbeans, Eclipse or even Orwell Dev-C++.

Well, the problem is the school lab uses Turboc3 and that's what all the students are asked to use. Nevertheless, I will try to convince my teacher somehow and use dev c++(Never used it before,I hope it's the same).
Can I get some help as to the program now? Please?

[GReaper]

[COLOR=#333333]Well, the problem is the school lab uses Turboc3 and that's what all the students are asked to use.

Then dump your school and go somewhere else. It has proven itself worthless. I'm sorry, but I'm not even joking...

[takando12]

Then dump your school and go somewhere else. It has proven itself worthless. I'm sorry, but I'm not even joking...

Oh it proved itself worthless ages ago. My only comfort is that I'll be out in a year.
I will get Dev c++ installed soon and will work with it. But I still need help.
I've been experimenting with the sound() today and have tried to play what sounds like "happy birthday". What I just don't understand how to do is play a sound till the user has got his fingers on a key.

 
#include<iostream.h>
#include<dos.h>
#include<conio.h>


#define Key_a 97


int main()
{ clrscr();
  int ch=0;
  while(ch!=65)
  { ch=getch();
    if(kbhit())
       { switch(ch)
          { case Key_a:  {sound(356);
                                  delay(500);
                               }
          }
       }
    else
    nosound();

  }
  return(0);
}

I found that there is something called the kbhit() and am trying to use it. This program is supposed to play that frequency as long as the user presses 'a' and exit if the user presses 'A', but it's wrong and it's not working at all.It does exit when 'A' is pressed but doesn't play the frequency when 'a' is pressed. I'm a beginner so please bear with me.
What am I doing wrong and how can I perfect it to achieve this?
Thank you for your consideration.

[takando12]

Please do help. I just want to know how to play a specified frequency as long as the user presses the specified key.Should i use kbhit() and how? Or perhaps there is a better way to do it?

[Matticus]

Have you looked into using a C++ midi library?

[Hodor]

You probably want to look into the non-standard function called getch() that will work only in turbo-c and MS-DOS (but since that's true of all turbo C program I guess it doesn't matter)

See: conio.h - Digital Mars

For example, something like the snippet below might work...

int ch;
while ((ch = getch()) != ' ') /* Loop until use presses space key */
{
    switch (ch)
    {
    case 'a'
        sound(356);
        delay(500);
        break;
    default:
        nosound();
        break;
}

Edit: If you want the sound to play continuously until the user lifts their finger off the key you'll need some other method... this might help, http://www.digitalmars.com/rtl/bios.html#_bios_keybrd but I think you'll be on your own after you start using that Edit 2: That probably won't work actually. You might have to write your own keyboard interrupt handler