Music notation software?

[mja61]

Do any of you use a music notation software that you can recommend? I'm curious to hear about ones that are either good or bad for doing "drum" notation in particular. Seems like that's a feature that never works the way us drummer-types want it too.

[JosiahM]

Finale Notepad is good, it's free and is easy and fast to use, but as you say, it does not work for drummers as we'd like it too, making it, more difficult to use.. for drumset notational use.

[chris perra]

cubase sx has a score feature. i've never used it but many say it's great.

chris perra

[Vdrummer]

I use Finale 2003. It's not impossible to learn but it's not terribly easy and isn't cheap. You'll appreciate having the 3 manuals and the online support. It takes awhile to up to speed with it but since I do work for magazines with it I couldn't go with any other program. There are cheaper programs from the same company that might do what you need that are much easier to learn. They also allow you to upgrade to the full version should you ever need it. Give Notepad a try, it's free, will give you a feel for how these programs operate but unfortunately doesn't allow X noteheads.

I got Finale a little over 5 years ago and now have over 1500 files. It's made me more organized with my teaching, learning, transcribing and databasing of ideas. I use it several times a week to create lessons or just jot down licks I hear and like. Good luck,

Brad

[FuseU1]

Great thread!...
...using Cakewalk Pro Audio 9...it's cool, but i hear those others r better, like ProTools, Finale, Studiovision, Cubase...presently tryin to fig out how to convert CWPA9 recorded real-time audio [acoustic & V-drum TD-10's & 'direct' elec gtr/bass/keybds] into mpegs or wavs, AND "move" real-time recorded audio notes in it [if possible!]....

[chris perra]

you can with cubase if you have things beat mapped to the internal grid. or if it was recorded to the original click on cubase.

a program like recycle can be very helpful in clipping samples to fit perfectly for manipulation.

chris perra

[jesse1]

got a question for you Vdrummer,

In finale 2003, how do you add more pages to a document? Ive tried everything. such a simple thing shouldn't be so dificult.

[Derek DeFields]

jesse, I thought if you added enough bars in automatically started a new page?

[jesse1]

Thanks for your response. i tried to do that but couldn't find a single option to "add bars" or "add a page". Im disgusted with the program, it should be more like word where the pages add automaticaly.

While im at it you cant drag (move) notes. Eighth notes automaticaly join stems over 2 beats. you also cant move rests if there sitting on top of an accent marking (or vice versa). Also if you want to write a high-hat part on the usual F line (not to be confused with adding a ride cymbal on the G space) you have to go to "special tool bar" and change the normal shapet note to the 'x' symbol. on top of this, if you then click on anothother tool bar or bar the special tool bar disapears. One last thing to add to the list is the repeat bar option which you can only set over 1 bar (how often to you see a 1 bar repeat!).

The program will eventualy do what you need but essentialy is a piece of shit (for drummers). I wonder what program Dave weckl used for his "in session ROTS package".

[Derek DeFields]

sorry to hear of your troubles.

A great friend of mine is using Finale exclusively for all his writing and is VERY fast with it. I'm sure he could answer all your questions. I'll try to get him to check this thread out. Hopefully he can help.