OT: Need help finding a music-notation computer program.
- Doc Jones
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OT: Need help finding a music-notation computer program.
Hi Gang,
I have a daughter who is something of a musical genius (honestly) and is doing a lot of composing.
Currently she is "drawing" all her musical scores using Adobe illustrator
Anyway, there must surely be a better way. Does anyone know of a computer program that makes it easy to "write" musical notation?
Better yet, is there a program that can transcribe a midi file into written music?
Thanks much,
Doc
I have a daughter who is something of a musical genius (honestly) and is doing a lot of composing.
Currently she is "drawing" all her musical scores using Adobe illustrator
Anyway, there must surely be a better way. Does anyone know of a computer program that makes it easy to "write" musical notation?
Better yet, is there a program that can transcribe a midi file into written music?
Thanks much,
Doc
- Flyingcursor
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Hi Doc
www.codamusic.com has Finale Notepad. It's very easy to work with and there's a free version. You do have to register before downloading. Also when you use it you have to put up with "UPGRADE NOW" messages but otherwise it's very nice.
Some others are Cakewalk. I don't particularly like it's staff editing features. I still haven't found out how to make it do repeats, slurs or ties.
There are others. Try searching for music notation software on the web.
www.codamusic.com has Finale Notepad. It's very easy to work with and there's a free version. You do have to register before downloading. Also when you use it you have to put up with "UPGRADE NOW" messages but otherwise it's very nice.
Some others are Cakewalk. I don't particularly like it's staff editing features. I still haven't found out how to make it do repeats, slurs or ties.
There are others. Try searching for music notation software on the web.
I'm no longer trying a new posting paradigm
- pthouron
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Doc,
Codamusic also offers Finale, which seems to be a standard. It is not cheap and might be a bit of an overkill for your daughter's needs, but who knows what a musical genius may need next week?
Here is a link: http://www.codamusic.com/finale/
Good Luck!
Patrick
Codamusic also offers Finale, which seems to be a standard. It is not cheap and might be a bit of an overkill for your daughter's needs, but who knows what a musical genius may need next week?
Here is a link: http://www.codamusic.com/finale/
Good Luck!
Patrick
- StewySmoot
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www.AnvilStudio.com
Has a FREE Midi program that lets a user work with MIDIs. The price is right for getting a feel for it.
The "Print sheet" option costs $29.
Has a FREE Midi program that lets a user work with MIDIs. The price is right for getting a feel for it.
The "Print sheet" option costs $29.
<a href="http://www.whistletotheworld.com/" target="_blank"> Whistle to the World</a>
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
- antstastegood
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- NicoMoreno
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Sibelius and Fianle are both exceptional programs...
I don't have either, but a couple I know who are professional musicians, composers, and teachers use Finale, and I have used Notepad. I have also used Sibelius, and I really like it.
Pros of Sibelius and Finale:
You can play music into it (single tones in a microphone or keyboard hooked direct to computer)
Time Sig's and Key Sig's can change in middle of song
Both can do 10s of parts at once (I think around 100)
Cons:
Notepad doesn't allow different time or key in one song
Both can be hard to enter notes, until you get the hang of it. Point and click isn't all that easy. Especially of you aren't too steady. (ie unlike playing, drinking does not improve the composition)
But I believe both full versions allow for keyboard entry...
I still think that if neatness isn't important writing by hand is easiest, but you can't beat the programs for neatness and FAST EASY transposition. (and if you play french horn this is nice... It is good too, if you have music in Bb and want it in D... like for a whistle)
If your daughter is just doing simple music (like no more than 8 parts, no key and time changes, and no perc... long story) than Notepad is the best, with a price that can't be beat ($0)
Nico Moreno
PS I just finished my last year of high school last year, in which I used Notepad for a transcription of a SATB choir piece called In Remembrance.
I had something like 12 parts. I used Notepad for a lot of it, but I had to write out everything to hand it in...
I don't have either, but a couple I know who are professional musicians, composers, and teachers use Finale, and I have used Notepad. I have also used Sibelius, and I really like it.
Pros of Sibelius and Finale:
You can play music into it (single tones in a microphone or keyboard hooked direct to computer)
Time Sig's and Key Sig's can change in middle of song
Both can do 10s of parts at once (I think around 100)
Cons:
Notepad doesn't allow different time or key in one song
Both can be hard to enter notes, until you get the hang of it. Point and click isn't all that easy. Especially of you aren't too steady. (ie unlike playing, drinking does not improve the composition)
But I believe both full versions allow for keyboard entry...
I still think that if neatness isn't important writing by hand is easiest, but you can't beat the programs for neatness and FAST EASY transposition. (and if you play french horn this is nice... It is good too, if you have music in Bb and want it in D... like for a whistle)
If your daughter is just doing simple music (like no more than 8 parts, no key and time changes, and no perc... long story) than Notepad is the best, with a price that can't be beat ($0)
Nico Moreno
PS I just finished my last year of high school last year, in which I used Notepad for a transcription of a SATB choir piece called In Remembrance.
I had something like 12 parts. I used Notepad for a lot of it, but I had to write out everything to hand it in...
- StewySmoot
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FWIW, Anvil allow you to change the key and time. Not sure if it allow you to change keys in mid-tune.
Perhaps Dale, in his Solomonic wisdom, will download each and and pass judgement, or something?
Perhaps Dale, in his Solomonic wisdom, will download each and and pass judgement, or something?
<a href="http://www.whistletotheworld.com/" target="_blank"> Whistle to the World</a>
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
- Daniel_Bingamon
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My favorite Music Notation Program: Mozart Music Notation Processor
- Parkwood
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Just to add that Sibelius may offer an substantial educational discount. It's worth giving them a ring to see what they can do for you.
I teach at a Sixth Form College in the UK and we have a 30 site licence, soon to be extended to 42. It is a pretty simple program to use. You can also import MIDI files with a fair degree of success.
Barry
I teach at a Sixth Form College in the UK and we have a 30 site licence, soon to be extended to 42. It is a pretty simple program to use. You can also import MIDI files with a fair degree of success.
Barry
- Flyingcursor
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So you can't print it without Print Sheet?www.AnvilStudio.com
Has a FREE Midi program that lets a user work with MIDIs. The price is right for getting a feel for it.
The "Print sheet" option costs $29.
- StewySmoot
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Correct. I dont have a need to print so it is a non-issue for me.
There are a number of $$ add-ons that Anvil offers. I am happy with the free stuff.
There are a number of $$ add-ons that Anvil offers. I am happy with the free stuff.
<a href="http://www.whistletotheworld.com/" target="_blank"> Whistle to the World</a>
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
Helping underprivileged kids learn music via the Irish Whistle.
- Walden
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Noteworthy Composer is pretty decent, as shareware music composition software goes. It also will save as MIDI files, and allow you to edit MIDI.
-
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How compatible are any of the above mentioned programs with ABC format? I find that most programs that offer ABC support have really awful (or just absent) user interfaces: abc2win, abc2ps, yaps. They're great and all, but my ABC skills aren't quite perfected yet and I need to see the output every couple of bars to make sure I'm doing it right. I'd be interested in a program that could support ABC <i>and</I> be easy to use.
- Jetboy
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MUSICAL NOTATION
Have you tried Cakewalk?
Works a treat with ABC and allows multitrack composing. Accepts all midi formats and midi input devices.
Works a treat with ABC and allows multitrack composing. Accepts all midi formats and midi input devices.