Notation Software

I am looking at hopefully finding a (painless) method of writing my songs in standard notation. Now, I don't know how to write standard notation, but am willing to learn. For example..when do you use a half not verses a quarter note tied....I guess there must be a set of rules or guidelines somewhere. Berklee online course average about $1200..so that's not really an option for me!

I don't think Sonar or Band in a Box are very good with notation. Ihave Guitar Pro 5.1, but have never been able to use it. Maybe I just haven't dedicated enough time to it? I couldn't find any half decent tutorials. But, if I can do what I want with Guitar Pro, then that would probably be my best (cheapest) option. I just want to write the melody, harmonies, chords and eventually, maybe include the bass clef.

I do have the Axiom 25 midi controller that I can set up to play like a keyboard and do real time recording. However, I would have to figure out the notes out by ear which can take a whole lot of time. I did play with that once before, but my keyboard skills are not that great. So, I'm not sure which software is the best to do this. I am not sure if there is a program that can do this by using guitar chords? That would be a huge bonus.

Any help, advice and/or recommendations appreciated.

Thanks.

Annette

Thanks Bob,

I'll have a look at that. I might try another crack at Guitar Pro as well. I've learned a lot in the past year (thank you), so I might have a better idea of how it works. I'm not going to be writing notation for four part harmonies anytime soon, so I can take my time at this as well.

I have sooo many things I want to learn yesterday, it's hard to prioritize what to do first! What will give me the biggest bang for my buck (time..not many $$$here).

Thanks again.

Annette

Using MC or SONAR for sheet music isn't too hard. I don't know of any program that will do it with audio, so regardless, you're going to be doing a lot of clicking.
Since these are your songs, you know what the chords are and probably the notes in the chord and scale. When you enter a note in the staff view, you can hear it (provided a soft synth is on that track), so you know if what you clicked in is the right note. If it's not, just drag the note up or down. Right-click the notes to make them flat or sharp (I don't know keys and scales, so all my songs are in 'C', as far as the staff knows).
I've done this before with a few of my songs, just the vocal melody with lyrics and the chord symbols above, and it's relatively painless.

In band i a box there is a way to sing the notes in and get a melody line that way, and the system will note the chords and such. But the real question is why do you want this? To copyright, or to give to others to play from? I would go over and start a thread at PG there are some smart folks about this stuff over there that can most likely help.

What Robo has mentioned would definitely be the easiest method. Even if it is not 100%, I can figure it out. I could use Greg's method as well. I was just giving Guitar Pro 5 a shot and after 15 minutes I'm pulling my hair out (which is typical when learning a new software program.

I have a one-line psalm I have to learn for tomorrow...and I heard this can be a problem with Guitar Pro... It is 4/4 timing...the first measure is only 2 beats...the last two beats are in the last measure...which add up to 4 beats...but it see's those measures as errors and won't play it smoothly like it should. I'm not sure how other notatatio programs handle this. I can try it in staff view maybe and see what happens. I have an older version of Finale Notepad too, if someone can tell me how to do it in that software. While I can easily pick out the notes on the guitar, I find it much easier hearing it played on a piano for some reason.


And to the other questions...I may copyright some of my songs. It would also be nice to have the notation if I want someone to play another instrument...keys for example or my youngest daughter is getting really good at the clarinet and my other daughter plays bass and can read the bass clef....And yes, it might be nice to have a piece of paper where you can say..."I wrote this??".... Also, it might help in writing songs as well...to try out variations of line to see what you works better for you . While I can easily pick out the notes on the guitar, I find it much easier hearing it played on a piano for some reason.

So I will head over to PG music and see what they say.

Thanks.

Annette

Ah..that makes sense.... I've very green with notation software...anohter learning curve ahead!!!

Annette

I too own guitar pro 5; it's fantastic software, and converts all tab to Standard Notation effortlessly. If you need help with the software, let me know how I can help. I use to all the time; it's the best imo, before you start hitting the crazy stuff on the market that goes for hundreds of dollars more!

Yeah sure. My email is: shredheadinstead@yahoo.com

Let me know how I can help and I'll do my best.

Bryant

Can anybody help me? is it possible to migrate finale notation to cakewalk music creator 5? if so how?

Thanks