[Dixielandjazz] Sibellius or Finale or Encore?

[dave at creolejazz.com]

There is sort of a subtle debate (and sometimes not too subtle) between 
notation software users as to which program is best. I'm pleased to learn 
that Don uses Finale, too. I started just a couple of years before you, Don, 
and have had every version upgrade since. Although, I don't have 2006 yet.

The truth is that whichever program you start with and use is the one you're 
going learn and like. Yes, Finale is complicated in some ways, but its depth 
allows you to have complete control over every aspect of your output. If 
that's the kind of control you want, you can't beat Finale. If you just want 
simplicity and don't really care to much what the final result is, choose a 
simpler (and cheaper) alternative.

And contrary to one post on this subject, the .pdf manual that comes with 
Finale is extremely helpful, user friendly, and complete and is updated with 
every upgrade. At least that is my opinion. I'm always able to quickly find 
out how to do what I need to do.

Check out this link for an interesting, recent comparison of Finale vs 
Sibelius.

http://www.jefferycotton.net/info.asp?pgs=hairpin

These comparisons come up every now and then and I find them interesting.

I know we've strayed from your original question. Sorry about that.

Dave
=================
"It's a treat to beat your feet."
The New Creole Jazz Band
Dave Gravatt
417-877-8811 (home)
417-894-8557 (cell)
http://www.CreoleJazz.com



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Mopsick" <mophandl at landing.com>
To: "'DJML'" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 1:21 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Sibellius or Finale or Encore?


>I have been using Finale for Windows since 1995. A lot of changes for
> the better since then. I am using version 2005b. I know the program so
> well by now that I feel I can do anything I need to do with it. I even
> did some very complicated copy work for a solo piano score for Dick
> Hyman, the most challenging in my career as a copyist. I have done a
> total of 3 full orchestra scores, all were "Pops" charts for jazz band
> and symphony orchestra.
>
> Yes, the learning curve for Finale is a long one, but the rewards are
> great once you learn it. The newer versions have some very handy
> time-saving improvements, like the Staff Tool which can turn regions of
> measures into repeats, slashes for blowing, or rhythmic notation. I can
> usually turn out a chart for a 7-piece jazz band of about 125 measures
> in length in about 4-5 hours, including printing out the parts and
> scotch taping them together.
>
> There is a built-in sequencer with MIDI which I find very useful for
> clam-checking the score before extracting the parts.
>
> The graphics tool allows one to export the finished parts in a number of
> leading graphics formats like .tif. I have never gotten the scanner
> music recognition software to produce any useable results.
>
> Sometimes you can get a significant discount on Finale if you can prove
> that you are a music or jazz educator.
>
> I have seen the output of the other notation programs. Nothing beats
> Finale. There is a special "jazz font" available that makes it look like
> a conventional copyist with a traditional Osmiroid ink pen, but that
> reminds me too much of Berklee School of Music. So I just stick with the
> more formal font. Looks just fine, and muisicians never complain about
> the clarity.
>
> I have found that printing from Finale works best with a laser printer.
>
>
> mopo
>
>
> Don Mopsick, Riverwalk Webmaster
>
>
>
>
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