Music notation software is the software application for music composition. A composer can write musical notes in a music notation application and then print professional looking music scores.
Music notation applications can typically also play audio from the scores. The applications are fundamentally designed to produce musical scores based on treble, bass, or other clefs that indicate musical pitches; these applications can also produce outputs based on tablature clefs that show fingering but not pitches.
Chris Aher began this meeting with a review of several music notation software applications, including both commercially-available and open-source options. Several audience members expressed appreciation for Chris’s industry review, because it is hard to independently learn about the history of some products and companies.
The most widely-used systems are Finale and Sibelius. Chris personally uses Finale. Finale was developed by MakeMusic in Minnesota, and MakeMusic was purchased in 2013 by a private equity firm, LaunchEquity Acquisition Partners. The new owner moved the company to Colorado and replaced many people on the development team. Chris expressed concern that these changes may be to the detriment of product quality.
The other widely-used system is Sibelius. Its developers intended that it would be easier to use than Finale. The development company was purchased by Avid Technology, which laid off the original development team in 2012, transferred the development unit from London to the Ukraine, and hired a new team. Many users are concerned about the skill and effectiveness of the new software team. Chris pointed out that Sibelius is now only available on a lease basis, i.e. with a monthly subscription; Finale can still be purchased outright.
The makers of Finale and Sibelius also both offer low-cost versions with fewer options.
Chris described another music notation software application called Notion. This product is sold by Presonus, a Japanese company that makes high-end audio tools. Notion is an entry-level application. It is available as an iPad application.
Chris also mentioned an application called Overture but dismissed it as quite expensive.
There is a free open-source alternative, called MuseScore. An audience member spoke of good results with MuseScore, but Chris said its audio playback quality is not at the same level as that of Finale.
Chris also spoke about a new music notation software application under development by a German company called Steinberg, which is owned by the Japanese company Yamaha. Steinberg hired the entire original Sibelius team, after the Sibelius layoff. The team’s new notation application is currently in alpha testing but does not yet have a public name.
Many composers and musicians are concerned about the future of the Finale and Sibelius products, and they are enthusiastic about the upcoming Steinberg offering. Chris suggested that potential purchasers might wait to see this product before deciding what to buy. “Things are changing so fast!”
All the well-known applications are available for both PC and Mac. MuseScore is the only well-known application that is also available for Linux.
Chris uses Finale, and he demonstrated it with an overhead projector. He described his use of this application for preparation of parts for a choir that he directs. He set up a new file in Finale; he used a mouse to enter musical notes on the page; he copied and pasted a section; he automatically transposed a section of existing notes to a different key, by use of a pull-down menu; and he used the application to play audio from notes that he had entered. The application appeared easy-to-use and stable. Chris compared a musician’s use of a music notation application to a writer’s use of a word processor.
One does not need to be a composer to have use for a music notation application. A musician can use the application to rewrite an existing printed part. Or the musician can enter a section of notes into the application in order to have the application play these notes, as an aid toward music practice. An audience member talked of practicing his singing in this manner. Another audience member said he uses a music notation application to transcribe notes that he hears on a recording, in order to create written music.
Chris mentioned that one can exchange music between applications with xml files. One can enter finger numbers and figured bass notation. Up to four layers can be used in Finale, in order to enter complex notes or rhythm patterns on top of one another.
These applications have some limitations. For instance, one can enter words for choral music, but the applications do not sing! Also, if a slur is added across notes and then a carriage return is added, the slur will typically need to be repaired.
Chris has a background in both music and software. He studied music composition; worked for Steinway as a piano technician; worked as a professional musician; and worked as a systems and network engineer. He now works as a digital music and video producer.
DACS and Chris Aher are exploring the possibility of an ongoing workshop about audio topics. Watch the DACS website for a possible further announcement.