When you work with music notation software, sometimes the greatest challenge is knowing what a task is actually called and where to find it. We uncover those hidden and not-so-hidden treasures.
Podcast
A regular discussion with the interesting individuals who create music with notation software, as well as the talented people who create the tools themselves.
Michael Good, the inventor of MusicXML
If you’ve ever needed to open a music notation file in a different program, you’ve relied on MusicXML to do it. Michael Good invented this now-ubiquitous established format two decades ago, and we find out how it happened.
Dan Kreider on hymnal engraving
Millions of people sing from church hymnals each week — and that means they’re reading music notation. Dan Kreider is an expert in achieving harmony by marrying sacred music with sublime technology.
Getting down and nerdy with Dorico and Sibelius updates
We nerd out about the latest updates to Dorico and Sibelius and have some fun along the way, with Dorico’s support for M1 Apple Silicon Macs, and Sibelius’s refreshed Command Search bar and new scripting features.
How to charge for music preparation
When preparing music, you always make sure what goes on the page is pitch-perfect. How about what goes on the bill?
Nicole Jordan, Philadelphia Orchestra librarian
Nicole Jordan, the principal librarian of the Philadelphia Orchestra, makes sure that the right piece of music is with the right person at the right time — and music notation software was crucial in helping her nail the biggest audition of her career.
The “rite” way to copy old scores into new software
Stephen Taylor talks all about his adventure entering Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, along with other masterworks, into Dorico, as well as his journeys with Finale and Sibelius, and how copying scores into those programs can be an effective way of learning both the music and the technology.
Teaching and teaming up with tablets and tech
Teaching paperless composition lessons using the iPad, Apple Pencil, and several apps like GoodNotes and PDF Expert is here to stay. Here’s how to set up a seamless system for teacher and student alike.
Guitar notation with Doug Gibson
Guitarist and composer Doug Gibson shares his transcription and notation process, gives us his opinions on what the various software platforms get right, and tells us his wishes for improvements when it comes to working with guitar music.
Scanning the music scanning apps
We talk with John Hinchey about his review of four optical music recognition software products, or “music scanning apps”, and how you can incorporate them into your own work. John brings along a checklist of the items to look for once you scan your music and how to get the best results.