Metropolitan Cantor Institute

crule · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 14

What are folks using for music notation software, if any?

I downloaded the freeware version of Finale Notepad and I was going to key in some of the various music we have so I can have it play back via MIDI and be able to sing along with an instrument to aid in learning.

I've found a "gotcha" with Finale Notepad with regards to Time Signature. Since none of our music conforms to any sort of time signature, it's hard to enter the music with the slurs and other notations without upsetting the software. I've yet to find a method in Finale Notepad to tell it to ignore all time signature and let me throw everything in one measure regardless of length.

Anyone have any suggestions? (And please, do not suggest Lillypad or whatever it is - that software is impossible)

Regards,

John

Hank_Z · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Monroeville, PA

Sorry to say John, that the "notepad" version of Finale, does not allow total functionality of it's software. Disregarding the time signature is one of those limitations available only in their advanced products. Even then it is not easily accomplished, but can be done. Most of the settings coming from the MCI I believe are done via Finale.

ByzKat · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 106

Indeed - one of the things I'm hoping to add to the MCI website is a set of tips and procedures for working with chant in Finale.

Jeff

CGalb · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

whostman · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:18 am Post subject:

While I am not active with MCI, I'll put out what I use.

I use Harmony Assistant, by Guillon Brothers. written by musicians for musicians. Handles chant fairly easily. I've used it for learning a variety of chant. I've worked with Finale and Sebelius, and found that I get 95%+ of the function at half the price, and a third the hassle, plus I can have the text sung to me, and it also has an add-on to optically read music. (It was about $100.) Also includes a variety of tablatures, including recorder fingerings. Available for Mac and MS Windows.

Melody assistant is a lesser version ($20), with about 90% of Harmony's functions. I used to use it, but opted to upgrade with my new computer.

Both are shareware.

Most of the music teachers I've shown either of them two finds them very useful; simple to use, easy to find the features they need, organized by musical use.

(I was a vocal perfomance major in my undergrad, lacking Piano Proficiency and 3 courses; wound up graduating with History degree with emphasis on Russian History... I currently am a substitute teacher, and work mostly in music. I still write music as a hobby/pathology, and have done some arranging for work. I used Harmony to generate accompaniment for my choir's performance last year, and to make parts for student use for my Orff arrangements for my percussion ensemble.)