Software for Musical Notation Shelley Stevens

As computers have become more affordable, so has music software. Even if your budget won't support a Pentium processor you can make music and write notation with older models of computers. I formerly used a 386 with MusicTime by Passport Designs for attractive notation and tablature. With a sound card you can hear and correct the notation that you have entered, but it is not absolutely necessary for your finished product. If a program has lyric capabilities this can be used for tablature entry however it is important that the lyrics be "tied" to the notation for alignment. You may have to export your notation to Paintbrush or another graphic program to add the tab lines unless the program contains its own graphics.

There are many notation programs on the market at this time with new ones coming out constantly. I have researched the internet and found several programs which can be downloaded on a demo basis for evaluation. The following is a list of these programs and some information about each one.

Coda Finale -- for Mac and Windows
This is the standard of the industry. If you are very serious about your notation and plan on making this your life's work you need to invest in this program. Finale is one of few programs that lets you use multiple music fonts. It also lets you enter notation in several different ways. You can notate in real-time as you play a MIDI instrument, select rhythmic values from a palette and position them with a mouse, enter rhythmic values with the numeric keypad, enter pitches with the arrow keys, enter pitches with the letter keys, position them with the mouse or position them with the arrow keys. You can enter notes with values from double-whole notes to 128th notes and enter an unlimited number of notes per measure. Finale also has an auto-tab feature (once you figure out how to set it up). When you enter your note on the scale the respective tab number is also entered automatically. This is definitely not the easiest program to learn but I'm told it is the best on the market. At $500+ (1/2 price to educators) it should be.

You can download a demo of Finale '97 at: http://www.codamusic.com The demo version doesn't allow you to save your work and only prints the first page. It places the text "Finale Demo" on the printed page. I only recommend this demo if you are not prone to headaches.

System Requirements
For Windows 95:
8MB RAM (min) 12MB recommended
10MB available hard drive space
10MB free working space on hard drive

For Mac:
System 7.0 or higher
8MB RAM (min) 12 recommended
10MB available hard drive space
10MB free working space on hard drive

Optional:
MIDI interface, MIDI keyboard or controller
MIDI playback device (sound card or module)
Post Script or non-Post Script printer

QuickScore Elite Level II -- Windows
This is a "48 track comprehensive, integrated software program for music composition incorporating notation, arranging, MIDI sequencing and recording together in one package." There is no mention in the description of how notation is entered other than by MIDI sequencing; however, QuickScore Elite does automatic tablature for guitar with editing capabilities. QuickScore also does automatic spacing for lyrics.

QuickScore is WYSIWG with Windows fonts and plays all repeats automatically. Price $150 - $180. A free demo of QuickScore Elite II can be downloaded at http://www.sionsoft.com/.

System Requirements
For Windows 3.1 or Windows 95:
4MB RAM
6MB hard disk space

MidiSoft Desktop Sheet Music
This program from MidiSoft produces "Publisher Quality" sheet music in minutes. Using exclusive MidiSoft True Type fonts you can enter your notation by using your mouse or MIDI piano keyboard. The program includes complete music and form symbols, dynamic markings and guitar chord grids. You can also import graphics from outside sources to personalize your sheet music.
No price listed.
You can download a free demo of Desktop Sheet Music at http://www.midisoft.com/html/catalog/dsm.htm.

System Requirements
For Windows 9x:
486/66 (min)
16MB RAM
CD-ROM Drive
Windows supported Mouse
Sound Card or MPU 4.01 adapter with External MIDI sound source
Speakers or headphones
Recommended: MIDI instrument

MusicEase -- Windows
This is a full-featured program producing "publication quality" printed music. It works like a word processing program using the keyboard for note entry. For instance, pressing the g key enters the G above middle C. Pressing the 4 key changes the current duration to a quarter note. End of measure barlines are automatically added. Pressing the Enter key starts a new system. Pressing the Backspace key deletes the previous note/chord/rest.

Any scalable Windows font/sizes can be used for titles, lyrics, dynamics, chords, etc. and all Windows printers are supported. You can also automatically convert from standard notation to tablature and vice versa.

No price is listed and no system requirements are given.
You can download a free demo of MusicEase at http://www.musicease.com.
The demo version is not crippled in any way but music score printouts contain a watermark. This program can be used for free by US educational institutions.

Musicator -- Windows
This software has notation capabilities as well as sequencing and digital audio. Notation can be entered independently of MIDI data and music can be printed in scores or individual parts complete with lyrics, chord symbols and expression marks. The notation screen can be exported to PageMaker or other DTP programs.
Price $225 - $250.
A free demo version of Musicator can be downloaded at http://www.musicator.com.

No system requirements given.

NoteWorthy Composer 1.52a 32-bit
NoteWorthy Composer is a shareware music composition and notation processor for Windows. It allows you to create, record, edit, print and play back your own musical scores. You can use the computer keyboard or mouse for notation editing, and selectively add or remove accents, slurs, staccato, beams, triplets and accidentals with enhanced tool bar.
Shareware Registration fee $39.00.
A free demo of NoteWorthy can be downloaded at http://www.ntworthy.com.

System Requirements
For Windows 95/ Windows NT:
Mouse and 8MB RAM (24MB RAM for Windows NT)
Recommended:
Sound Card or MIDI port
Windows supported printer.

Music Works 2 -- Windows
Music composition, notation and sequencing package operating in standard music notation.
Provides a host of tools for manipulating your composition including transposing, quantizing, and replicating. Annotations can be added including rests, dynamics, ornaments, repeats, guitar chords, text and multiple lines of lyrics. From Middle Earth Software Systems (Australia).
Price $69.00 plus postage.

A free demo of Music Works 2 can be downloaded from
http://iccu6.ipswich.gil.com.au/comm/midearth/.

System Requirements
386 or higher PC
Mouse or other pointing device
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95

Optional:
Sound Card
MIDI interface
Windows compatible printer

The following program is not a notation program but sounded so interesting that I thought it should be included.

Musitek MIDISCAN
MIDISCAN converts printed sheet music into multi-track MIDI files. It processes virtually any type of score up to 24 pages at a time. Note and rest durations, note pitches, chords, ties, accidentals, bar lines, clefs, key and time signatures are all recognized with 90 - 98% accuracy. MIDISCAN is TWAIN compatible and works with all MIDI sequencing and notation software. Easy to use editing. Processing time from 30 seconds per page (Pentium 100) to 3 minutes per page (386 SX).
Price $225 - $300. A free demo of MIDISCAN can be downloaded at http://www.musitek.com.

Demo is fully functional except that it will only playback converted MIDI files through its built-in sequencer (will not save to disk). It will only convert 2 staves per system and MIDI conversion is limited to 10.

System Requirements
4MB RAM (8MB recommended)
10MB hard disk space
Scanner: any digital scanner (fully TWAIN compatible)
MIDI Output: Any sound card or outboard MIDI synthesizer

The following music notation software was manufactured by Passport Designs which has gone out of business. These are excellent programs and you may be able to find them at computer shows for prices greatly reduced from retail. Some of the programs are still available in stores, however, I would try for a discount on them as there is no tech support through the manufacturer. (Some of the retail outlets will help out, i.e. Edirol and Tempo.)

Encore -- Windows & MacIntosh
This program is second only to Finale in features and capabilities. Encore transcribes standard notation from your live performance or from standard MIDI files. Step-enter difficult passages with a mouse or MIDI keyboard. Play your score back via MIDI instruments or sound cards. Guitar tablature automatically notates tablature for up to 8 strings in any tuning with definable fret positions. Insert or delete measures, pages, systems or staves anytime, anywhere in the composition. Notate scores as large as 64 staves per system with up to eight voices per staff. Alternate notation symbols.
Guitar tablature symbols palette contains all the markings and symbols needed for notating tab. Transpose, change key signatures, meters and clefs at any time. Transposition automatically affects chord symbols and fret diagrams. Cut, copy, paste, clear, insert, delete, or undo notes or sections of music. Control tempo for playback at any time. Enter text or lyrics anywhere on the page in any font, size, or style. Uses Passport's Anastasia Font on any TrueType or Postscript printer.
Mac and Windows version share same format, files are transferable between platforms.

Price $300 - $600. Watch for this one at computer shows. I have heard of sales as low as $90.
Free demos may still be available on the web from non-manufacturers. Check it out.

System Requirements
Windows 3.x or Windows 95
486 or better
8MB RAM
Sound Card with MIDI interface
MIDI keyboard optional
Laser or InkJet Printer

Mac Requirements
Mac Classic II, System 7
4MB RAM
Optional LaserWriter or TrueType-compatible printer, Apple ImageWriter or HP DeskWriter.
Built-In Synthesizer requires QuickTime 2.0 (included) and a 68020 processor.

MusicTime Deluxe -- includes free MIDI adapter cable
Classified as an entry level program, this is the "poor brother" to Encore. I have used this program for several years and have published 8 dulcimer tablature books using this software exclusively. It's not as fancy as Encore and the tablature has to be entered as lyrics and lines drawn with the graphics included in the program. You have 8 moveable lyric lines to work with which makes dulcimer duets a snap. I have not tried Encore but from the description above, the only difference I can see is in the automatic guitar tablature and the limitation of 8 staves per system. (There may be other features I have not seen.) For the difference in price (MusicTime Deluxe normally retailed at $50 - $80) I can do a lot with this software. It is very easy to use. This is another one to watch for at computer shows. (I've seen it at the local mall for $39.95)

System Requirements
Windows 3.x or Windows 95
386 or better
4MB RAM
2MB hard drive space
CD-ROM (disks no longer available)

Recommended:
Sound Card for playback
Printer
486 or greater with 8MB RAM
MIDI keyboard

I hope this information is of help to those of you who are contemplating notating your own music. You should be able to find a program here to fit your needs and budget. Another good source on the internet for music programs is Harmony Central http://www.harmony-central.com/Software.

Take a look there for other types of music software.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments, (I know I didn't include much information for Mac users; I just couldn't find many with free demos) and tell me about your favorite programs.

Shelley Stevens is a performer and musician living in Springfield, Ohio. Do you have comments or questions about her article? Contact Ms. Stevens directly by e-mail. To learn more about her, see the Contributors section of Sweet Music Index.