[HANASHIR:9362] Re: music notation software

[Sherry & David Blumberg <blumbrg...>]

You asked:
> Can anyone recommend easy-to-use music notation software?  Preferably
> very cheap or free download as I'm low on cash.

You might want to look at "Finale Notepad", which is a Free (really!--not
just a trialware or shareware you have to pay for later) download from:
          www.codamusic.com
It's a somewhat stripped down version of the Finale family of music notation
software products made by Coda.
     The other products range from Finale 2001 at the top ($275 for
religious institution) to Finale Allegro, to Finale Printmusic, and Notepad
which is at the bottom.
    Notepad is remarkably easy to use and I like it.  It IS, however,
limited.  For example, once you've picked a key and time signature, they
can't be changed inside the piece itself  (no modulations...), and notes can
only be placed with a mouse (no keyboard entry until you get to the next
level up).  But for its price (which you said is an issue), it's quite
wonderful.
    If anybody else knows of a free notation package besides Coda's, I'd
love to know it and to try it out for comparison.

    David A. Blumberg
    Cantorial Soloist
    Congr. Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun
    Milwaukee, WI

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