Music Software

You can buy Music Software from Musicroom.com.

Why use Music Software?
Who uses Music Software?
Types of Music Software
Examples of Music Software Programs
Glossary

Why use Music Software?

Historically, composition relied heavily on using a piano or similar instrument to compose on. It was then up to the composer/arranger to imagine any other instruments in his/her head. For geniuses like Mozart this was not a problem, but for us mere mortals this is a skill that does not come easily. During or after the main ideas had been created, the composer would have to transpose the parts themselves and write out the score and parts by hand.

This process is very lengthy and monotonous, and results in much more time and effort being spent notating the music rather than the creative process itself!

The advent of modern technology and music software programs offer a number of distinct advantages.

Saves the time of writing the music out by hand.
Plays you all the parts simultaneously so you can immediately hear what your piece sounds like on the 'real' instruments.
Makes editing your piece easy. For example you can re-structure it, transpose it, add or take away parts, and copy and paste sections.
Makes composition accessible to all, particularly non-music readers.
Notation programs/ score writers can produce very high quality, ready to publish scores and parts.
Music can be saved, sent, and transferred electronically.

Who uses Music Software?

Teachers - as tools for composing and arranging music for their students, and for accompanying their ensembles.
Music students - at school and university, for composing and arranging music.
Composers - for composing, arranging, and producing ready to publish scores.
Music enthusiasts/ hobbyists - who may like to compose or arrange music for their group.

Types of Music Software

There are two main types of music software

Notation/score writing.
Sequencing.

Although some manufacturers have tried to design programs that do both jobs of a sequencer and notater, many still have their distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Before committing yourself to buying a piece of music software, always download a demo from the Internet to check it does what you want.

Notation/score writing software

This type of software is primarily concerned with what the music looks like. It is aimed at those that can read music and want to write up a score, create parts, print them out and perform it.

You usually input the notes in real time using a MIDI keyboard, or by using the keypad to select the notes to use.

This type of software can sometimes lack the advanced play back features, such as repeats that are offered with sequencing software.

Sequencing software

This type of software is primarily concerned with how the music sounds. It is aimed at those that want to compose but either cannot read notation or are not too worried about producing a score.

You usually record each line of your piece, one at a time onto a separate track via a MIDI keyboard.

This type of software is also effect at producing accompaniments for teachers to use, and whilst it often contains advanced performance features, most will not produce a quality score.

Examples of Music Software Programs

Cakewalk
Cubase
Cubase
Finale
Logic
Mozart
Musicator
Sibelius

Glossary

MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A standard that has been designed for transferring sound created by musical instruments into digital information stored on a computer.
Quantize: rounds up musical notes to the nearest quaver or semi-quaver (or any other note value you select). Used when editing a score that has been created using real time input.
Step input: You highlight notes and put them onto your score one at a time.
Real time input: You record your music into the program by playing it, normally by using a MIDI keyboard.

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