Advantages/Disadvantages of Finale PrintMusic?
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
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- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:53 am
I'm currently using the demo version of Finale Notepad, and now I'm thinking of upgrading to PrintMusic.
PrintMusic seems like it might be a cost-effective middle ground between the limited functionality of Notepad, and the bells and whistles of the higher-end products of the family.
Does PrintMusic have any significant drawbacks to speak of? Anything I should be aware of, in terms of what it lacks that the bigger two have?
Thanks for your help!
PrintMusic seems like it might be a cost-effective middle ground between the limited functionality of Notepad, and the bells and whistles of the higher-end products of the family.
Does PrintMusic have any significant drawbacks to speak of? Anything I should be aware of, in terms of what it lacks that the bigger two have?
Thanks for your help!
- miker
- Posts: 6051
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
I guess it depends on your needs. PrintMusic cannot:
Make mid-measure time, key, or clef changes.
Use more than one font in lyrics.
Remap the percussion maps.
Handle complicated coda/multiple repeat playback.
Change noteheads (to an X, for example.)
Let you set one time signature, but display another.
For the most part, I haven't found these to be limiting in my (mostly) choral work. I'd suggest you get the demo, and play with it.
I've been using it for years, and probably a few hundred pieces. It works for me!
Make mid-measure time, key, or clef changes.
Use more than one font in lyrics.
Remap the percussion maps.
Handle complicated coda/multiple repeat playback.
Change noteheads (to an X, for example.)
Let you set one time signature, but display another.
For the most part, I haven't found these to be limiting in my (mostly) choral work. I'd suggest you get the demo, and play with it.
I've been using it for years, and probably a few hundred pieces. It works for me!
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
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- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:53 am
Thanks Miker, I appreciate your feedback and I will try the demo.
I've experimented with some choral work as well, do you happen to have a link to your work by any chance?
I've experimented with some choral work as well, do you happen to have a link to your work by any chance?
Miker's correct, but I would offer hope in a few categories:
The only other thing I would have liked that PM doesn't provide is the option of notating a piano part as a grand staff with the middle C ledger line shared by both hands.
I've also found it to be plenty powerful for small vocal or instrumental ensembles, which is pretty much all I have done since college.
--but it can do 'em at measure breaksmiker wrote:PrintMusic cannot:
Make mid-measure time, key, or clef changes.
--but it can notate them; it's only the auditioning part that is lackingHandle complicated coda/multiple repeat playback.
--But you can set up a pseudo-percussion part, on a one- or five-line staff, with not only X-noteheads but lyrics as well, for example a spoken part. Bummer that you can't move easily from singing to speaking in one staff, however.Change noteheads (to an X, for example.)
The only other thing I would have liked that PM doesn't provide is the option of notating a piano part as a grand staff with the middle C ledger line shared by both hands.
I've also found it to be plenty powerful for small vocal or instrumental ensembles, which is pretty much all I have done since college.
-Tom Williams
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
- miker
- Posts: 6051
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
Tom,
Thanks for taking the optimistic view!
You reminded me of something else PM can't do, though: cross staff beaming, occasionally useful for the accompaniments.
Thanks for taking the optimistic view!
You reminded me of something else PM can't do, though: cross staff beaming, occasionally useful for the accompaniments.
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society