Making the Most of Notation Software

The best way to get emersed into a notation program is to take some formal training. Many teachers, church musicians, private teachers, composers and arrangers find time in the summer to take courses in music technology. There are many options for training in music notation software in general and Sibelius and Finale in particular.

Consider the following course options:

1. Berklee Online Courses. Join more than 6,000 students who have experienced the top rated Berklee Music Online courses. There is an offering for Sibelius and Finale. Courses run 4 times per year. The next course starts in April and a summer section begins in July.

Music Notation Using Sibelius

Music Notation Using Finale

Their are many other online courses that Berklee offers in addition to courses on music notation.

2. Review the list of summer courses that TI:ME has to offer. Most of these courses are face-to-face courses, and a few are online.
http://www.ti-me.org/sites.html

3. Here is a list of summer workshops I am teaching this spring, summer and fall. Some are face-to-face and others are online:
http://www.tomrudolph.com/workshops.htm

4. Check out the Sibelius site listing of training sessions

Do you know of other locations for notation training that you have found helpful?

I am often asked what time saving techniques I use to speed the note entry process in notation software. One key tip is to create your own custom templates and reuse them as needed. This saves time for note entry in Finale or Sibelius. When you are ready to create an exercise, just select the custom template and begin. Let’s cover this in both Finale and Sibelius.

Sibelius Manuscript Paper
In Sibelius, there are pre-made templates called manuscript paper. To access these pre-made templates, go to File > New Score or select “Start a New Score” from the Quickstart Window. When the first New Score window appears, on the left you will see the templates, called manuscript paper, that are available. These load when you install Sibelius for the first time.

Click on any item in the left side of the New Score screen and you will get a preview of it on the right. When you find the closest match, click the Change Instruments option to customize the score. Take your time during this step. If you get the score looking correct and the instruments (staves) in the correct order, it will save time during note entry.

SIBELIUS TIP: Save your custom score set-up as Manuscript paper so it shows up in the list every time you create a new score.
I have several ensembles that I write for. For each one I create a custom manuscript paper and name it accordingly. Then, when I want to create a warm-up exercise or score a piece for the group, I select it from the Manuscript Window.

To save your custom score as manuscript paper:
1. Create just the blank score. Don’t include a time signature, key signature or title, as you will add those for every individual project.
2. After completing the first page of the Score Setup window in Sibelius, Save the file with a memorable name.
3. Choose file (File > Save). This is an important step because the Manuscript paper items are in alphabetical order.
4. Then, export the file as manuscript paper: File > Export > Manuscript paper.

Now, start a new score. When you get the Manuscript paper screen you will see the new custom paper you just added. This is a huge time saver. See the list below. Notice my custom manuscript paper: Band Hav 2008.

Finale Templates
One of the improvements that was introduced in Finale 2008, is an easy way to access and edit Templates. Finale now refers to these as Ensembles.

FINALE TIP: save your custom setup in Finale 2008 or later as a New Ensemble

1. First, choose the Set-up Wizard from the launch window or select it from the file menu.
2. You will see several ensembles (templates) on the left side of the window. You can select one of the existing ensembles or click the Create New Ensemble button.
3. After you create or edit an ensemble, on the second page of the Set-up Wizard, “Add or Delete Instruments,” there is a button at the bottom of the window: “Save As New Ensemble.” Be careful to name it with a memorable name.
4. After you save a new Ensemble, it will appear at the bottom of the Ensemble list the next time you create a score.

I spend time creating templates for marching band parts, specialized instrumentation, certain types of custom page layout, customized drum maps, and more. I had a student in a summer workshop a few summers back who spent two straight days creating a template for his percussion ensemble. He edited the drum maps, page layout and other aspects. Then, he saved it for future use as Manuscript paper (Sibelius) or an Ensemble (Finale). Creating and saving custom templates will save you a huge amount of time in the note entry process.

TIP: You can edit the custom list of Manuscript Paper or Ensembles in both Finale and Sibelius. For example, you may to re-name or delete items from the list. Consult the software documentation for specific steps.

There are lots of templates and files that you can download for free. They are on the companion websites for my books on Finale and Sibelius. You can download these files and templates for free and you don’t need to own a copy of either book. Check them out at:
Finalebook.com and click on Downloads.

Sibeliusbook.com and click on Chapter Files/Downloads

Do you have any other sources of templates that you find helpful when working with notation software?

This week I presented two sessions at the TI:ME/TMEA conference in San Antonio on Sibelius Worksheets. My handout is posted at www.tomrudolph.com/handouts.htm. Many people I meet in Sibelius workshops have no idea that these Worksheets are lurking on their hard drive. If you are a Finale user, you might want to purchase a copy of Sibelius just to have access to these worksheets. Finale has a few helpful worksheets, but I think Sibelius has enough to make it worth the cost of the software for the worksheets alone.

Sibelius 4 or 5 Required
If you own Sibelius 4 or 5 then you have access to more than 1700 worksheets and templates. Here is how to get there: open Sibelius. From the File menu, choose Worksheet Creator. There are two options:
Teaching and Learning Materials and Templates

The Teaching and learning materials have a host of options that include, and go far beyond, teaching and learning materials.

Loading Worksheets
The first time you go access the Worksheets it may take as long as 5 minutes to load. Subsequently, the search will take a minute or less. Choose File > Worksheet Creator.

How Worksheets are Organized
Worksheets are organized into six major categories

Each category has many sub categories. Some of my favorite worksheets include:

1. Circle of 5ths:
01 Elements of Music > 06 Scales and Key Signatures > 02 Key Signatures >
02 Complete Circle of Fifths

2. Composition Exercises: 02 Writing and Creating Music (117 files)

3. United Kingdom curriculum materials are available. Check it out at 06 UK KS3 and GCSE Projects (33 of 33)

Repertoire
Check out the materials in the repertoire section. It includes an amazing number of compete compositions. Included are works by Bach, piano and instrumental pieces and even poetry to use for composition.

The 265 songs for teaching are complete with melody and lyrics. Of course, the files can be transposed in Sibelius and manipulated as you would any other file or used as a basis for an arrangement. Open a song, press the letter I to add new staves. Then, compose your own arrangement of the piece. All the repertoire is in public domain and free to use, print and manipulate.

Reference
The reference section is chock full of useful materials.

There are some excellent materials on orchestration. These include 04 Reference > Instrumental and Vocal ranges.

Worksheets are Sibelius Files
The cool thing is every one of these worksheets is a Sibelius file so it can be edited and adjusted as needed. You can save your customized worksheets by choosing File > Add to Worksheet Creator.

For more information on worksheets, check out:

1. The Sibelius 5 Tutorial Video #15 Worksheets (Help > Tutorial Videos)

2. Read about Worksheets in the Sibelius Reference (Help > Reference)

3. My lesson plan at www.soundtree.com - click on lesson plans and then search for “Composing with Sibelius Worksheets.”

4. Visit: www.sibeliuseducation.com for more free worksheets that users have uploaded to the Sibelius site.

5. Chapter 15 Worksheets, from the book Mastering Sibelius 5 by Marc Schonbrun

6. Worksheets for purchase are available from Mary Elizabeth at http://stores.lulu.com/patternsforlearning

So, do check out Sibelius worksheets. What Worksheets do you find most useful?

MIDI controllers for Note Entry in Notation Software

In one of my previous posts, Step Entry Note Entry Tips, I mentioned that the fastest way to enter notation in Sibelius and Finale is using a MIDI keyboard or controller, assuming that you have some facility on the piano keyboard. This post deals with some of the ways you can get connected to use a MIDI keyboard controller for note entry.

MIDI Interfaces
Do you own or have access to a MIDI keyboard? Most MIDI keyboards made in the last 25 years are MIDI capable. The older models have MIDI IN, MIDI OUT and MIDI THRU on the back panel. The newer ones have the MIDI ports and a USB port to connect to the Mac or windows computer via a USB cable. If you have an older keyboard without a USB port, you will need to purchase a MIDI interface. They come in many different versions. An inexpensive interface is the M-Audio Uno for around $35.00 dollars.

Latency
If you have an older Mac or Windows PC, you might find that there is latency or a slight delay when you play into your computer. There are settings that can address latency in Finale or Sibelius. Go to the help menu and open the Reference and do a search for latency. One way to address this is to purchase a FireWire interface. FireWire interfaces have a faster data transfer than USB. Your computer will need a FireWire port. Macs have FireWire built-in. Some Windows Computers have FireWire. In Windows, FireWire is called IEEE 1394. The M-Audio FireWire 410 has both MIDI and audio inputs and works great for entering MIDI with no delay or latency.

USB MIDI Controllers
The other option is to purchase a MIDI controller that has a MIDI interface built-in. Some MIDI keyboards also include a USB MIDI interface so check the specs before purchasing. Controllers typically do not produce sound of their own. Rather, the only enter MIDI information. Therefore, they must be used with a computer software program such as Finale or Sibelius. A good entry-level controller is the M-Audio Keystation.

Drivers
With USB MIDI keyboards, you just plug them directly to the computer USB port. Sometimes drivers need to be installed. If they do, the Keyboard will come with an installation CD. I usually check the manufacturer’s website for the most recent drivers. These can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website for free.

Other MIDI Controllers
Three are a host of controllers on the market. I have been using an M-Audio Oxygen 8 for years. The Oxygen 8 is no longer produced by M-Audio. It is compact and fits in my brief case. I have even used it on plane flights in coach! Bring down the food tray and put the computer on it and place the controller on your lap. You can also get controllers in various sizes.

M-Audio is not the only company that makes quality controllers, Others include Roland , Novation and Korg. Remember, Sibelius 5 and Finale 2009 do not take advantage of the knobs and sliders that come with the more expensive controllers, so only purchase these keyboards if you have use for them with your DAW software such as Pro Tools, Logic, Sonar and the like. Below, is a compact, powerful, M-Audio Axiom 25.

The Korg nanoKEY
At the NAMM show this month, Korg introduced a revolutionary new keyboard for under $50 street price ($62.00 retail) with full size keys and velocity sensing called the Korg Nano Key.

Check out a performance of the Korg nanoKey on YouTube

This is going to be my constant companion when I travel as it easily fits in my carry on bag. It actually fits in the inside pocket of my suit jacket! If you are not entering your notation in Finale or Sibelius using a MIDI controller, you now have no excuse.

What MIDI keyboards/controllers do you find useful for notation entry?

If you use notation software to notate scores, consider using the re-input pitch option available in both Finale and Sibelius to save time. In my courses and workshops, I find that one of the most under used features of Sibelius and Finale is the re-pitch or re-input pitch option. This feature appeared on an early version of Sibelius and was then introduced later in Finale. It is a great time saver when notating parts especially when writing for band, jazz, string and choral scores where two or more instruments or voices have the same rhythm but different pitches.

Here is how re-pitch works. It allows you to change the pitches of a passage without changing the rhythmic values. For example, when notating a band score where there are similar first and second parts such as the clarinets and trumpets or when notating a string score with a similar passage in the first and second violin. I spend a lot of time getting the first part to be as complete as possible. I enter the notes and rhythms and the articulations, common expressions, markings and so forth. Then, when the first part or passage is complete, I copy it to the second part and then re-pitch it. When the first part is complete, I use the shortcut to copy it to the second part:

Finale shortcut copy steps:

1. Select the source material (what you want to copy) and then drag a box around the measures or use click and shift-click.
2. To copy:
Windows: Hold down Ctrl and click in the destination bar.
Mac: Hold down Option and click in the destination bar.

Sibelius shortcut copy steps:

1. Select the source measures clicking in the first bar and the holding down Shift and clicking in the last bar.
2. To copy:
Windows: Hold down Alt and click in the destination bar.
Mac: Hold down Option and click in the destination bar

After the music is copied to the 2nd part, next, re-pitch the part to the correct pitches since this is a harmony part. Using a MIDI keyboard or controller is the fastest option, but you can re-input pitches with the computer typewriter keyboard as well. The changes are made in step time so you can move as slow or fast as you like without needing to worry about a metronome click.

To Re-Pitch the new part after it has been copied:

Finale Reinput steps:

1. Click he Re-input pitch icon in the Simple Note Entry palette

2. Hold down CTRL (Windows) or Option (Mac) and click the first note of the passage you want to re-input. .
3. Play the new pitches on the MIDI keyboard (or, type the letter names on the computer keyboard if you don’t own a MIDI keyboard). The pitches will change, but not the rhythmic values.

You can watch the tutorial video on this topic in Finale. In Finale, from the Help menu, select QuickStart Videos. Then click on “Getting Started,” and then “Entering Notes” and then “Re-inputing Pitches.”

Sibelius Re-input Steps:

1. Select the first note of the passage so the notehead is blue (highlighted).
2. Choose Note > Re-input Pitches or use the shortcut Shift+CTRL+I (Windows) or Shift+Command+I (Mac).

4. Play the new pitches on the MIDI keyboard (or type the letter names on the computer keyboard if that is your only option.

Click here to watch a video on re-inputting pitches from my Berklee Music online course, Music Notation Using Sibelius, from lesson 7.

Another use of re-pitching parts:

If you want to add the rhythm of a melodic part to the guitar or other rhythm section part:

1. Copy the melody from the original part
2. Re-pitch it so the notes are all on third line B
3. Change the part to rhythmic notation:

Finale: Select the Staff Tool and from the Staff menu, choose Apply Staff Styles and then select Rhythmic notation

Sibelius: Select the notes and open the Properties menu and choose notehead 4 to change to rhythmic notation.

Take some time to check the re-input pitch option. This can save you huge amounts of time when you are writing scores and parts.

With the holidays fast approaching, there are some new Sibelius products that might be of interested to you. Marc Schonbrun has written a fabulous book, Mastering Sibelius 5. I just finished reading it cover to cover and it is excellent.

There are two new DVD tutorials on Sibelius 5 published by Hal Leonard. I did the Sibelius 5 Beginner Level DVD and Marc Schonbrun recorded the Intermediate level . Both have a ton of tips for using Sibelius 5 and are hot off the press.

The Sibelius company is offering a generous sale for upgrades that they are calling the Sibelius Sale of the Season. From Monday, December 8th through Friday, December 12 registered Sibelius users can upgrade to Sibelius 5 for $85/Professional Version and $65/Education Version. Sibelius 5 Lab Pack Upgrades are just $215. That’s 50% off regular price. www.sibelius.com/upgrade

In my previous post on free notation software, I listed Finale NotePad as free music notation software. This is no longer the case.

MakeMusic announced in August, 2008 that beginning with Finale NotePad 2009, which is the current version, it will not be free and will cost $9.95 per copy. The price is certainly reasonable, but it is no longer free. NotePad 2009 can import/export MusicXML files so it can save files that can be opened in earlier versions of Finale. I also means that Finale NotePad files, when exported in XML format, can be opened by other applications that read Music XML such as Sibelius. See my post on Music XML

Also, MakeMusic is no longer making earlier versions of Finale NotePad available. They are now shipping a new product, Finale Reader. Finale Reader can open, play, and print (but not edit) any Finale family file – as well as MusicXML files – and it is a free download.

So, if you have an install disk for Finale NotePad 2008 or earlier, hold on to it. But you will need to find a new source for free notation software, or go with one of the light, student editions such as Finale NotePad, Finale PrintMusic, or Sibelius Student. Do be aware that there are liberal education discounts for students, church musicians and educators. I usually purchase these from resellers such as www.soundtree.com or www.lentines.com.

Since Finale NotePad is no longer free (it costs $9.95 per copy), there are two options I know of for a totally free music notation solution. For Windows and Linux users consider Musescore from www.musescore.org. You can read a comparison of Musescore and Finale NotePad at: http://www.musescore.org/en/node/111. There is no Mac version of this software available.

There is also a new offering that is web based notation software called noteflight. This is a web based music notation application. You may remember back in 2000 when the GVOX Company introduced Notation Station, a similar web based notation solution. The company when bankrupt back in 2001 and Notation Station went down with it. GVOX is still selling Encore notation software, however, Noteflight is a new offering that certainly looks promising.

I have experimented with this web-based application and find that it uses many of the same commands and keystrokes as Sibelius. You can enter notes by typing in the letter names, shift octaves using CTRL and the up and down arrows, add voices, articulations, and much more. As of the current version, you can input ties, but no slurs, there is no lyric option nor is MIDI input supported. I am sure these features will be integrated as this web based application progresses. The latest release notes are available at
http://www.noteflight.com/info/release_notes. Noteflight looks like a good starting place for students and people who want to dabble in music notation and price is a main concern.

For some educational applications, it is helpful to print the note names inside the notehead. This is done for beginning piano, guitar and other instruments. If you use Finale or Sibelius, there are options to create this effect.

Sibelius 5 – built-in to the Software

If you are a Sibelius 5 user, then you can access a plug-in to create the note names inside the noteheads. First enter the desired notation. Then, select the passage and choose
Plug-ins > Other > Add Note Names to note heads.

After you run the plug-in you will need to zoom in to see the note names. You can use the shortcut CTRL and the plus (+) sign (Command and the plus (+) sign on Mac) to zoom in. You will also need to increase the staff size via the Document Layout window (Layout > Document Layout) if you want to print the notation. Set the staff size to 0.7 inches or larger and the note names should be readable in the noteheads (the graphic below was generated in Sibelius using the plug-in). The one problem with this free option for Sibelius is the notes on a staff line overprint the cross-strokes on the letters. See the D and F, in the graphic above.

Kidnotes Font for Sibelius 4, 5 and Finale:

For Sibelius 4, 5 and Finale users, you can purchase a third party font called Kidnotes. This font costs $39.95 for one computer and $97.00 for a site license. In the Kidnotes font all of the cross-stroke notes are moved down slightly so they don’t print directly over the staff lines. This is an improvement over the Sibelius 5 plug-in. http://www.dvmpublications.com/kidnotes_information.htm

Sibelius users will need to download the Kidnotes plug-in from the Sibelius website:

http://www.sibelius.com/download/plugins/index.html

Finale users will need to use templates that come with Kidnotes when purchased. Once the Kidnotes font is installed, the templates are available and can be customized as needed.

Kidnotes can also print out solfeggio letters in the note heads as well as note names.

http://www.dvmpublications.com/kidnotes_two.htm

If you have a need for printing note names or solfeggio inside noteheads, then Kidnotes is the way to go.

This summer I spent a lot of time teaching workshops (both live and online) to teachers, composers and arrangers using Finale and Sibelius. One of the most common questions I receive is how to address the page layout of a piece.

Here is my short list of page layout steps for Finale 2008 and Sibelius 5.

First, I don’t typically address the page layout until the entire piece is entered. I like to use Scroll View in Finale and Panorama View in Sibelius 5 so I first focus on getting the notation and markings entered. Then, when the entire score is entered, I address the page layout. Sure, there may be times when this must be addressed ahead of time, for example, adding space between certain staves for lyrics, but I try to wait as long as possible to address the page layout whenever possible.

Finale 2008/2009 Page Layout steps – the short list:

1. Set the number of measures per line for the entire piece or a portion of the piece: Utilities > Fit Measures

2. To move a bar up or down a system: choose the Selection Tool (press Escape up to three time). Select the bar and press the up or down arrow key to move the selected bar or bars up or down a system.

3. Select the Page Layout Tool. From the Page Layout menu, choose “Space Systems Evenly.” Set the number of systems per page.

4. Use the Resize tool (looks like a percent sign) and click at the very top of the first page to change the size of the print out. Be aware that scores are reduced in size. A choral score could be 75% reduced and a band or orchestra full score 45% reduced. Setting the page percentage is important.

5. Understand how the Page Layout tool works to move individual systems. The handles on the left and right of each system control the space above or below that system. To move just one system, click anywhere inside the system box except on the handles.

After the short list, you can dive into the Page Layout tool and adjust margins, and just about every aspect of a score.

Do watch the series of videos on Page Layout. In Finale, from the Help Menu, choose Help > QuickStart Videos. From the main menu of videos, click on Wrapping Up Your Project and then the Page Layout options. There are several videos addressing page layout.

Sibelius 5 Page Layout Steps – the short list:

1. Open House Style > Engraving Rules and click on the Staves tab. Set the distance between staves and systems for the entire piece. I also change the justify amount to 95% for most scores. Do this before dragging staves manually. If a staff is manually adjusted, the Engraving Rules settings are ignored.

2. Set the number of bars per line using Plug-ins > Other > Make Layout Uniform.

3. Move bars down to the next system be selecting the barline and pressing the return/enter key.

4. Make custom systems by selecting a group of bars on different systems and choosing Layout > Format > Make
into a System.

5. Open the Document Setup window (Layout > Document Setup) and adjust the staff size. Scores will often need the staff size reduced to fit the staves and bars per line.

6. After making these changes, drag systems to make more room or to indent system: triple-click inside any bar of a system to select it for the entire piece. Drag the staff with the mouse.

I recommend watching the Sibelius tutorial video for Sib. 5 # 10: Layout and House Style. The tutorial videos are available from the help menu.

Remember, once you start dragging staves in Sibelius, it overrides the settings in the Engraving Rules window. You can deselect the manual changes by selecting the staff and choosing.

Page Layout can be one of the most difficult tasks to master in notation software. What tips for Finale or Sibelius have you found helpful?

I am amazed at the quantity of music notation software available on the market. The two most popular products, Finale and Sibelius, get most of my attention. However, there are many, many more titles from which to choose. A wonderful comprehensive list of music notation products is available at:
http://ace.acadiau.ca/score/others.htm
If you peruse the extensive list of notation programs on this site, you will note quite a few free notation programs.

Finale NotePad
The free notation program that I use most is Finale NotePad www.finalenotepad.com. It is a free download and a lite version of Finale. Finale NotePad 2008 added step entry via MIDI making it a viable option to use to communicate with other programs, as it will also export files in MIDI format. For a complete list of the features check out:
http://www.finalemusic.com/Notepad/New.aspx

The only major problem with Finale NotePad is that files are not backwardly compatible in Finale format. So, for example, you can’t open a Finale NotePad 2008 file in an earlier version of Finale. However, you can download earlier versions of Finale NotePad by searching the downloads section of the Finale Notepad website:
http://www.finalemusic.com/store/search.aspx

Opening Finale Files in NotePad
Finale NotePad can open Finale files. This makes it possible to create a file in Finale and then have others open it for playback and practice in Finale Notepad. I also find that Finale NotePad is a good place to start when teaching students how to use Finale. There is a limited number of tools.

Once students have the hang of NotePad, moving to Finale is a snap. There are some excellent tutorials that ship with Finale NotePad. From the Help menu, choose Tutorials.

Another free program that I have used is Nightingale Light
http://www.ngale.com/index_04.html

How are you or your students using Finale NotePad?

What other free notation software have you found helpful?