Music Notation Software

[Howard]

I am looking for some software to allow me to input music to a score and add chord symbols above the notes. Ideally the software would be like a musical version of Microsoft Word and give plenty of flexibility in how the final score is presented. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Ian J. Evans]

Take a look at www.pgmusic.com

This software company has both accompaniment and sequencer programs to offer at very reasonable cost. I believe you can download demos also.

Ian

[Midi Magic]

Hi

The Microsoft Word for music is without doult Sibelius Music at

http://www.sibeliusmusic.com


BUT it is VERY, VERY expensive.

[Howard]

Thanks for the replies.

Sibelius does look good, but you are right about the price!! Does anyone have any views about Finale - it looks similar to Sibelius and although it is expensive, it is about half the price of Sibelius.

Howard

[fredsmith99]

I would recommend Finale. I've used it for about eight years, and it certainly does everything I need. Are you looking for anything specific in the program?

[Howard]

I'm not looking for any special features in particular. I have downloaded the free version of the Finale software and I think an upgrade to PrintMusic will be ideal for what I need to do.

Thanks for your reply.

Howard

[Ian J. Evans]

Howard

Before you spend any money take a look at the Forum section of the www.pgmusic.com website, and the PowerTracks section. There are some very competent musicians that subscribe to this forum and you might just want to ask them a few questions. Doesn't cost anything and nothing lost except the time taken. I have no interest in this software other than I am an occasional user of the Band in a Box program which I am currently using to produce backing tracks for jazz practice. I also have the sequencer program but have not had time to spend with it to give you a good appraisal.

Maybe you have already done this, but if not hope it helps.

Ian

[Howard]

Ian

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try.

Regards

Howard

[zotz]

Originally posted by Howard
I am looking for some software to allow me to input music to a score and add chord symbols above the notes. Ideally the software would be like a musical version of Microsoft Word and give plenty of flexibility in how the final score is presented. Does anyone have any recommendations?

You might want to check here:

http://linux-sound.org/

Try the music notation link. I am a linux boy myself, but if you are windows, a lot of Free Software has windows versions these days.

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22drew%20Roberts%22

[pianogirl]

Sibelius is the way to go. I use it every day and don't regret spending the money, although I did get a discount for being a piano teacher.

Sibelius just came out with a version for students for $99.

I believe it has the features you are wanting. Check out their sight and the software description. www.sibelius.com

I wouldn't go the finale route; I have talked with many people that regret taking the time to learn it especially when they found out Sibelius was so user friendly.

pianogirl

[dbjorck]

Hi!

I'm very happy with MidiNotate, www.midinotate.com.

I originally bought it for splitting hands in MIDI files where both hands were in the same track (which it does very well), but now I use it for everything.

Brgds

Danny

[jimbuist]

I noticed that this is a VERY old thread, so I'm assuming that Howard has already purchased something. However, for those currently looking, take a look at MusicTime and/or Encore available at www.gvox.com . Demos are available.

I use MusicTime and it does 99% of what I want it to do. It is VERY easy to use and notates via midi, mouse, &/or keyboard shortcuts. FYI, this is designed as a Notation Program (although it does "record and playback" your score) so its focus is on the notation and NOT sequencing.

Also FYI, I used to sell this in a couple of retail stores years ago. The reason I sold this program over any others I found was because of its ease of use and the completeness of the programs. Again, for most people, MusicTime will do virtually everything you need/want. For the more professionally oriented, Encore is better.

Jim