What notation software should I get?
- Thread starter Clint 55
- Start date
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: What notation software should I get?
I use Mozart Music Notation software and really like it. It's kinda pricey, but I find it to be easy to use and full of features that other software couldn't seem to adequately provide.
I use Mozart Music Notation software and really like it. It's kinda pricey, but I find it to be easy to use and full of features that other software couldn't seem to adequately provide.
Joey Voltage
New member
Re: What notation software should I get?
Depends on what you want to do with it, but for basic guitar transcripts tux guitar is an open source program that works well and will open many different formats.
Depends on what you want to do with it, but for basic guitar transcripts tux guitar is an open source program that works well and will open many different formats.
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: What notation software should I get?
I think I spent $150 on Mozart a few years ago, so we're not talking about the same ballpark for price.
That being said, the ability to scan/import sheet music and audio is pretty impressive, and may very well be worth the extra dough as a time-saver.
What are you planning to do with it? I bought mine when I was heavily involved with my church worship team and it made my job MUCH easier, but I barely use it anymore. I would spend hours sometimes putting down vocal harmony arrangements or creating lead sheets for my music-reading singers, so the abilities that Sibelius offers seem like something that would have saved me a ton of time.
On the other hand, plodding away at it helped me to sharpen my music reading skills. I started by taking existing piano music and inputting it note-for-note into the software, giving me some practice using many of the features (repeats, multiple strands, etc). I eventually got to the point of listening to a few different piano songs and inputting the music by ear, coming up with a very passable midi version that could easily be printed as piano music. For that experience, I'm glad that I DIDN'T have the high-tech importing features of Sinologist because I probably would have just gotten lazy and let the computer do the hard work.
So to me, if you're using the notation software as a learning tool, you would learn better by NOT using the high tech tools. However, if you're trying to come up with usable documents for multiple users on a regular basis, those same high tech tools could be lifesavers!
I think I spent $150 on Mozart a few years ago, so we're not talking about the same ballpark for price.
That being said, the ability to scan/import sheet music and audio is pretty impressive, and may very well be worth the extra dough as a time-saver.
What are you planning to do with it? I bought mine when I was heavily involved with my church worship team and it made my job MUCH easier, but I barely use it anymore. I would spend hours sometimes putting down vocal harmony arrangements or creating lead sheets for my music-reading singers, so the abilities that Sibelius offers seem like something that would have saved me a ton of time.
On the other hand, plodding away at it helped me to sharpen my music reading skills. I started by taking existing piano music and inputting it note-for-note into the software, giving me some practice using many of the features (repeats, multiple strands, etc). I eventually got to the point of listening to a few different piano songs and inputting the music by ear, coming up with a very passable midi version that could easily be printed as piano music. For that experience, I'm glad that I DIDN'T have the high-tech importing features of Sinologist because I probably would have just gotten lazy and let the computer do the hard work.
So to me, if you're using the notation software as a learning tool, you would learn better by NOT using the high tech tools. However, if you're trying to come up with usable documents for multiple users on a regular basis, those same high tech tools could be lifesavers!
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Re: What notation software should I get?
Thanks Joey Voltage for the tip on the free software. I'll check that out.
That's a good point, BriGuy, about having to develop your ear and theory skills further by entering the music on your own. Very cool that you arrange for church. I want to use the software mostly for developing my music making ability beyond 1 or 2 parts or instruments. Pretty much like that silly midi video I posted, only legitimate sounds and rhythms. I could see the audio transcription being helpful for me because I could play something on my instruments with my own feel and have that entered into the software and then develop the tune further.
Thanks Joey Voltage for the tip on the free software. I'll check that out.
That's a good point, BriGuy, about having to develop your ear and theory skills further by entering the music on your own. Very cool that you arrange for church. I want to use the software mostly for developing my music making ability beyond 1 or 2 parts or instruments. Pretty much like that silly midi video I posted, only legitimate sounds and rhythms. I could see the audio transcription being helpful for me because I could play something on my instruments with my own feel and have that entered into the software and then develop the tune further.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: What notation software should I get?
I have used Sibelius for close to 10 years now, and have bought a ridiculously expensive lifetime licence, so that I get all future updates for free. By the end of the year I shall hopefully have published no fewer than six professional editions with it, including one on a major scholarly edition for classical music (I cannot reveal the name at the moment), and three for a national musical heritage project. There are people who know the softwares far better than I do, but I think I have some credentials when it comes to Sibelius, at least.
I can say that the scan feature is very hit-and-miss. It'll work decently if you are scanning something that was written in Sibelius or Finale, but it will run into trouble if you, for instance, want to scan music prints from the early 20th century. For handwritten stuff, forget about it. It just doesn't work, and will likely entail more work to mend than to enter the whole thing manually. The technology to do this better is there, but for the time being there is too less financial muscle available for something truly proper to be developed.
If it is still useful for you, make sure that you get the features you need: if memory serves Sibelius only includes a lite version of PhotoScore (the scanning program), and you might have to buy an addition to it on top of the already hefty price for Sibelius. And make sure to see which version of Sibelius it is. Between version 7.5 and version 8 Avid went from a 'pay for upgrades' model to a yearly licence, and I wonder if they are still selling the older 7.5 to those who don't want to pay more than once for their software. 7.5 is a good piece of software (I haven't encountered any significant advantages to 8), but be warned that that version is being phased out, and that you will have to shift to an annual licence model if you ever want to upgrade it.
Here is an idea: Contact a local university with a music department, and ask if you could come in and do a test scan. Bring along a page of representative music (perhaps even a few, that are slightly different), and see how it works. Expect there to be errors, and consider how much time correcting them is going to take as opposed to entering the whole thing by hand.
Beyond this, I really need to know what you are going to use it for. The two top picks are undoubtedly Sibelius and Finale, and they both do really difficult jobs excellently, but they are also a significant investment. Sibelius, at least, has downscaled versions available, that might be all you need; I haven't looked at Finale for years, but I think they do as well. There is a new piece of software, Dorico, that is on the way, but I still think it leaves a bit to be desired. I have some other suggestions too, if you want to get heavily into typesetting (as in preparing music for publication), but I somehow doubt it, and would recommend that you perish the thought.
So, what are you planning to use it for?
I have used Sibelius for close to 10 years now, and have bought a ridiculously expensive lifetime licence, so that I get all future updates for free. By the end of the year I shall hopefully have published no fewer than six professional editions with it, including one on a major scholarly edition for classical music (I cannot reveal the name at the moment), and three for a national musical heritage project. There are people who know the softwares far better than I do, but I think I have some credentials when it comes to Sibelius, at least.
I can say that the scan feature is very hit-and-miss. It'll work decently if you are scanning something that was written in Sibelius or Finale, but it will run into trouble if you, for instance, want to scan music prints from the early 20th century. For handwritten stuff, forget about it. It just doesn't work, and will likely entail more work to mend than to enter the whole thing manually. The technology to do this better is there, but for the time being there is too less financial muscle available for something truly proper to be developed.
If it is still useful for you, make sure that you get the features you need: if memory serves Sibelius only includes a lite version of PhotoScore (the scanning program), and you might have to buy an addition to it on top of the already hefty price for Sibelius. And make sure to see which version of Sibelius it is. Between version 7.5 and version 8 Avid went from a 'pay for upgrades' model to a yearly licence, and I wonder if they are still selling the older 7.5 to those who don't want to pay more than once for their software. 7.5 is a good piece of software (I haven't encountered any significant advantages to 8), but be warned that that version is being phased out, and that you will have to shift to an annual licence model if you ever want to upgrade it.
Here is an idea: Contact a local university with a music department, and ask if you could come in and do a test scan. Bring along a page of representative music (perhaps even a few, that are slightly different), and see how it works. Expect there to be errors, and consider how much time correcting them is going to take as opposed to entering the whole thing by hand.
Beyond this, I really need to know what you are going to use it for. The two top picks are undoubtedly Sibelius and Finale, and they both do really difficult jobs excellently, but they are also a significant investment. Sibelius, at least, has downscaled versions available, that might be all you need; I haven't looked at Finale for years, but I think they do as well. There is a new piece of software, Dorico, that is on the way, but I still think it leaves a bit to be desired. I have some other suggestions too, if you want to get heavily into typesetting (as in preparing music for publication), but I somehow doubt it, and would recommend that you perish the thought.
So, what are you planning to use it for?
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Re: What notation software should I get?
I'm looking for a user friendly platform so I can write multiple part popular music. I downloaded the trial version to Mozart and it doesn't seem to have bass. I looked at the options for buying Sibelius and the cheapest complete version seems to be $599. Is that the pack I'd have to get? Trying to decide between Finale and Sibelius.
I'm looking for a user friendly platform so I can write multiple part popular music. I downloaded the trial version to Mozart and it doesn't seem to have bass. I looked at the options for buying Sibelius and the cheapest complete version seems to be $599. Is that the pack I'd have to get? Trying to decide between Finale and Sibelius.
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Re: What notation software should I get?
I've used Progression before, and it works well for scores.
I've used Progression before, and it works well for scores.
