Music Staff Notation Software
Notation History
Music Publishing
Notation Software


Glossary for non-musicians
Site Map 
References

Introduction


 A music notation software package essentially acts as a "musical word processor." (31) There are a number of characteristics and features that should be included in every notation software package.  Ideal notation software is "easy to use, reliable, versatile and intuitive." (32)  You should be able to alter "global values," those values that will occur again and again (such as the distance in pixels between a note head and an accidental) as well as alter "local values," subtle changes that you would like to occur only once. (33) Like any software, it should be easy to get the help you need, either through tutorials, phone, email, FAQs, and keyword searchable help. 

There are a variety of methods of entering notes into a notation program. A good program will offer more than one way. In general there are four different methods: (34)
  1. By importing a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) file.
  2. By using the mouse to place notes manually.
  3. In a two-step entry process, combining a musical keyboard to determine the pitch and with your computer keyboard to determine the duration.
  4. In "real time" entry, by playing the notes on a musical keyboard. (35)  
Of course, this last method is only useful for people with some piano playing ability.  Some programs will accommodate slight timing mistakes and make reasonable assumptions as to what you are trying to play.

There are many benefits to using music notation software, including increased flexibility when compared to pre-printed manuscript paper, extracting individual parts from a score, and the ease of fixing mistakes. (36) Some composers use a notation program as part of their composition process.  Jody Nagel, composer and author of  "Computer Music-Notation Software" describes his compositional process: "I personally use paper and pencil and sit at a piano when sketching out the initial ideas for a piece, but I quickly transfer them to the computer and determine basic formal considerations." (37)

Music educators are also frequent users of notation software.  Despite the learning curve, it can be beneficial to students to learn how to use the software too- wind players can easily transpose their parts, and assignments can be completed neatly. (38)  Some students may find it helpful to listen to their parts in the program to "develop intonation and rhythmic confidence," (39) but it is important to remember that young students are prone to "learning by ear" and may miss out on important theoretical concepts if they are not reading their music as they play.

Dr. Gordon Callon, from the Acadia School of Music in Wolfville Nova Scotia has complied an extensive list of music notation programs.