notation software

cp · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 11:11 am Post subject:

Hi All---

I was wondering which of you out there like using notation software and one you might recommend. I need something well suited for arranging small/medium jazz combo stuff. Nothing too elaborate, but maybe one you can enter chord changes into (like band in a box) and does a decent job at simulating a 'swing' feel.

Thanks--
-Carl

SHS_Trumpet · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 1:21 pm Post subject:

I use Finale 2002 now but I had moderate sucsess with Printmusic I'm not sure if it does the swing time, though I know finale does.
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Andrew Fowler
MYNWA
"90% of trumpet music is below high C"

jdscreamer · Regular Member Joined: 08 Mar 2002 Posts: 31

My dad also uses finale 2002. It is expensive, but Printmusic is only about $70. You can download a free version off the finale website which can get you started arranging.

http://www.codamusic.com
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J.D. White
FLUEGELS RULE!

screamertrumpet · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 3:11 pm Post subject:

Finale 2002 is awesome at just about anything. The only catch is that it's worth like one or two Monette mouthpieces (yes, I'm using mouthpieces as a form of currency

)
I would say get Print Music if you're not TOTALLY serious in composing. My friend has Print Music and he seems to like it a lot. As for me, I'm using my "computer buddies" old copy of Finale 97. It's probably not as good as PM, but, hey, he didn't want it so I just took it.
Trevor

_Don Herman · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2002 7:04 am Post subject:

I use Finale. Printmusic is nice, too, and there is a free (stripped down) version of Finale called Notepad which you can download from the Coda website.

I don't care for Band in a Box for notation -- too limited. But, if it does what I need, it's fast!

Cubase' Sibelius is one of the most popular now; easier to use than Finale, and arguably just as powerful.

Noteworthy is an inexpensive alternative, and there are many freeware and shareware programs of varying competence (I know, poor word choice, but I'm tired). And, there's always Cakewalk, MIDI Composer, and the like. For a pretty good listing, go to the Harmony Central site and follow the computer links to find notation software:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Software/Windows/sequencing.html
HTH - Don
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Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

jhaysom · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2002 7:58 pm Post subject:

You should also consider MusicTime Deluxe (http://www.gvox.com/).

Pluses: Once you learn how to use it, you can get it to do just about anything you want and it can produce a beautiful looking, easy to read piece of music. Transposition is easy and it transposes the chord symbols too. Only US$100.

Minuses: Steep learning curve. Doesn't follow all Windows conventions. Doesn't play chord from symbols.

My jazz group uses it to share music and we all swear at it a lot but we haven't found anything with its capabilities at anything near the price.

Although PrintMusic does play the chords from symbols, our experience indicates it falls far short of MusicTime in other areas.

dannystone10 · Veteran Member Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 222

Sibelius 2002 every time. In England it is the standard, easy to use and powerful.

dannystone10 · Veteran Member Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 222

Sibelius 2002 every time. In England it is the standard, easy to use and powerful.

dannystone10 · Veteran Member Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 222

Sibelius 2002 every time. In England it is the standard, easy to use and powerful.

wolfitrp · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2002 2:18 pm Post subject:

Hi all,
in an advertisement of Printmusic they write that you can play the notes with an analog instrument via a microphone on the sheet. Do anyone have experienced this?

wolfi

vivace · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2002 5:31 pm Post subject:

It does it in finale, but it is not really the best thing. It is cool and all, but you have to select the note value.... you can just play and have the correct rythm (i dunno if that is spelt right, i just got out of work i cant even think of my middle name

, but if you have a passage that is all quarter notes, every time you articulate it is a new quarter note, ect.
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NelleTrumpet · Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2002 4:45 am Post subject:

Sibelius is a great program, more user friendly than Finale in most people's opinion. I've also used MusicTime - for the price, it has a lot of capabilities, making it a great alternative to the more expensive programs. I suppose it just depends on what you want the program for.
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Danelle Wilbraham