[HANASHIR:6581] Re: Software for transcribing songs

[Ellen Allard <ellen...>]

Regarding Finale, (if I've said it before, please forgive me for repeating
myself), I must tell you that the program is nasty. I haven't given up on
it; in fact, I intend to learn how to use it without crying and going into
spasms. But that should give you an idea about it. I've gotten to the point
where I can actually create a sheet with melody, lyrics, and chords. And I'm
not as frustrated as I was when I first began working on it. But I think
that the learning curve is steep. And it's one of those programs that,
unless you use it on a regular basis, your skills atrophy. And I swear I'm
not computer-phobic. It's just a tough program. Buyer beware.

I will also say that I am working with a computer graphics person who told
me not to even bother with the lyrics. He makes an EPS file out of the music
I create in Finale and then he uses Illustrater to move it, shrink it, put
lyrics in.

I used to use a program called Encore and I'm told by others that with the
improvements made since I used it, it's much more user-friendly.

Good luck, whatever you use!

Ellen Allard
Worcester, MA
--
Specializing in Music for Young Children
Ellen (at) PeterandEllen(dot)com
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----------
>From: Andy Curry <acurry (at) CellNet(dot)com>
>To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>Subject: [HANASHIR:6579] Re: Software for transcribing songs
>Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2000, 4:15 PM
>

> Dear Ros:
>
> I'm pretty sure the most widely-used software for music transcription is
> Finale; it was developed expressly for this purpose.  Yes, you can play a
> midi keyboard and it will transcribe what you play, and it is quite
> flexible in terms of formatting.  I doubt that it has the ability to import
> word-processor files, as it would not know how to break up the syllables.
>
> I don't use it, however.  I use Cakewalk Pro Audio, because it has the
> ability to handle digital audio as well.  It does most of the things that
> you describe, but it won't do things like notating D.C. al fine, etc..
>
> Good shabbos!
> Andy
>
> At 09:58 PM 7/20/00 -0400, you wrote:
>>Hi to all of you,
>>
>>I'm looking for some software with which to transcribe songs.  What do
>>you use / recommend?
>>
>>Some of my questions are:  Features?  Ease of use?  Price range?
>>Integration with wordprocessing programs, so I can simply import the
>>lyrics?  Are there any which can take the music, if I play it on a
>>keyboard, and transcribe the notes for me?  What about playing back the
>>transcribed music, so that I can tell if it's right?  Format of output,
>>i.e. how good does the final product look visually?  Can I change fonts
>>for the words, alter the size of the lines, etc.?  Options for
>>transposition to another key?  Ability to handle harmony lines?  and
>>whatever else you can think of that you have found useful!
>>
>>Thanks for your help - as always.
>>
>>- Ros Schwartz
>>
>>
>>
>>
> *******************************
> Andy Curry
> CellNet Data Systems
> 11146 Thompson Ave
> Lenexa KS 66219
> Office: 913-312-4739
> Facsimile: 913-312-4701
> Home : 816-363-8381
> E-Mail: acurry (at) cellnet(dot)com
> *******************************
>

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