Compose yourself. (Finale Songwriter 2007)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	Finale Songwriter 2007
Date:	01/12/08 (441 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant for writing tunes

Disadvantages: Can be hard to master.

Finale Songwriter - Notation Software

£39.95 from Musicroom.com, this gives you; a CD to install it, a registration procedure, quick start guide and a comprehensive instruction manual. You also have online support if needed.

This software is suitable for Macintosh and PC's though using it on a PC with Vista I cannot comment about how it performs on other types of computer or using other operating systems,

There is no clear category for this product to fit into on Dooyoo, so I guessed 'Software, Utilities' is about right, Dooyoo have put it in 'applications', fair enough. Well it is a utility if you are into music on your computer, and an application, lol, I'll explain.


~~What is it?~~

* Quite simply it is notation software. This means that you can write notes, on sheet music, on your computer. It is also a lot more than this as you can use the software to:

* Compose - You can experiment with different instruments, key signatures, time signatures and write your own music.

* Transpose music - This means to take existing music and make it higher or lower to suit your voice or instrument better.

* Playback - Once you have written something you can play it back in a number of ways using different instruments and/or musical styles.

* Print - You can print out your own music once finished.


~~Features~~

What I do not want to do here is simply 'list' all the features so I will tell you some of the main, important controls and features.

Firstly there are three ways of staring the program; Open an existing music file (their own format), starting a new file, or using the 'wizard' (my preferred method).

Once the program is open there is a toolbar on top which is quite simple to work out without even referring to the manual, but my advice is always RTFM (Read The F*****g Manual). The toolbar has; key signatures, timing, types of note (quavers, crotchets etc), slurs, 'undo' etc. Very simple, I especially like the playback toolbar.

The main feature is the simple drag and drop the notes onto the stave, and as you bring more on (depending on time signature) they simply join up as they should. Once you have a few notes you can play them back using a 'midi' system or choosing a particular instrument to hear them. Instant composition, fantastic. You can even add lyrics if you want.

That is the basics, however, the more experienced you get with this programme, the more you can do, including writing 'scores' for more than one instrument, putting drum beats in and an awful lot more that would take me some serious amount of words to explain.

I would suggest that at least to start with; use the 'wizard' feature. You will be asked what instrument, what key to start with and then once started you can change timing etc. My 14 year old son composed a piece of music within 10 minutes of opening the programme and played it back using violin......he has never touched a violin in real life.


~~Problems~~

When registered online, the program sometimes, especially using Vista, does not 'recognise' that you have registered. This is a known fault and easily rectified following the instructions on the 'Finale' site.

Key Signatures seem to be wrong, I do not know if American key signatures are different, but this programme (in Wizard at least) sets up different key signature than asked for. Now this might be me being not familiar enough with the programme yet, I dunno. However, it is pretty easy to change key signatures when needed, so no great shakes.

Finally, it will take some time to master this programme, I aint got it all yet and I have had this about a month.


~~~Finally on Finale~~~

The instruction booklet is extremely useful, if a little dry. It takes you through the installation process, as well as guiding you through some 'tutorials'. There is also a video tutorial facility in the program itself.

If you have ever thought about writing music but have been put off by either the cost of software or the complexity of it, you needn't worry on either score (pun intended) here. What a great idea for a Christmas present...it is my crimbo present to me, because.......I'm worth it.

And for the tech heads:

Windows 2000/XP/Vista

Mac OS 10.3.9 or higher

Monitor 800 x 600 resolution

CD ROM (or DVD of course)

256 MB RAM

200 MB Hard Drive Spare

Summary: Notation software.

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