Music Notation Software -- Any Recommendations?

Irish Flute
1

I play the tinwhistle (but that’s not really important for my question). I’m trying to find some Windows software that will let me put music notation (dots) on my computer and make changes to the notation if needed. If the software can also transpose from one key to the other, that would be nice (but not required).

Do you know of any software that would meet my needs? If you’ve used the product, what do you think of it? Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give to me.

Bubbie

(This is a generic post so I cross-posted it on the tinwhistle, flute, stringed, ITM and pub forums.)

2

I do not have experience myself, but my mother, who directs an English handbell choir, uses something called Music Time. Here’s a quote from her about it:

I do have music software that, once you’ve entered the notes as written, easily converts to another key. I must confess that I’m absolutely awful at knowing which key is what. Once I learn, I immediately forget like I have some kind of block against knowing. It’s been a real detriment in my musical “career.” My ringers know more than I do in many cases, and it’s like being illiterate and pretending that you know how to read. Anyway, Music Time, my music program of choice, has saved my bacon.

I believe that she is able to play a synthesizer into the computer and this program will write out the music for her, too.

3

Thanks for the fast reply. I will look into Music Time.

Bubbie

4

Try Melody Assistant at http://www.myriad-online.com/en/index.htm
It’s shareware and does what you request but there is other software worth checking out.

5

hi

look into abc music notation system, it’s easy, robust, exceedingly flexible and there’s ample free software or just use abc web apps.

most everything you need to know is at

http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/

it’s become something of standard and gazillions of tunes have been archieved, most effectively highlighted by John Chamber’s ABC Tune Finder → http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc

you can read dots, play midi, transpose and it’s just the greatest thing since sliced bread.

have fun

6

Finale has a free version called “NotePad” that is very capable and does everything you need (I think). I used it for a while and then bought Allegro. Check it out on their website: http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/

Have fun!

Pat

7

Finale has a free version called “NotePad” that is very capable and does everything you need (I think). I used it for a while and then bought Allegro. Check it out on their website: http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/

Have fun!

Pat

8

Finale has a free version called “NotePad” that is very capable and does everything you need (I think). I used it for a while and then bought Allegro. Check it out on their website: http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/

Have fun!

Pat

9

I do not know how I would get along without finale. Some of the important features are:

  1. You can download mp3 files and turn them into a score. This includes multiple instruments.
  2. You can have a pointer point to the notes as they are played. Fast or slow.
  3. You can change the key you are in and the instrument that plays to notes.
    It is perfect for learning new songs on the whistle or any other instrument.

Nelson

10

I use Harmony Assistant, which costs about $70. It’s reliable and easy to use once you spend some time learning it.
It imports ABC files, converting them to scores, as well as lots of other files. They’ve done a lot of development work and the software gets better and better. Melody Assistant is related, but has less functionality.

11

Here is a link to an earlier thread.
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=45232&highlight=music+notation+software

12

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I’m going to look into each of them over the week end. The people on this site are great! I hope to return the favor after I learn a thing or two myself.

It also helps to hear what others think of a product.

Cheers,
Bubbie