Scorewriter
Encyclopedia
A scorewriter, or music notation program, is software used for creating sheet music
.
A scorewriter is to music notation what a word processor
is to text.
and scorewriters typically employ different methods for the input and display of music notation.
Scorewriters are based on traditional music notation, which originates from European classical music. They use graphical symbols representing durations in sound and silence, along with symbols for dynamics, articulations and tempo. Some even allow the user to import or create their own symbols for use in scoring.
Multitrack sequencer software typically uses a multi-track recorder metaphor as the main interface, consisting of multiple tracks and track segments. Individual tracks can be edited using a graphic notation
in the form of a piano-roll guided input for the control of MIDI-based hardware or software instruments.
In addition to these two approaches, a third approach has emerged that combines the above two methods of score input into a Digital Audio Workstation
. This allows the user to score parts using traditional notation, using the graphic notation of the piano roll and to record acoustic or electronic instruments in real time along side the existing scores.
In all three case it is possible to use the computer keyboard and mouse for input control or to use a MIDI based keyboard for data entry that is later edited using traditional notation or piano-roll based notation.
Some argue that the implementation of traditional notation in multitrack sequencer software and Digital Audio Workstations is limited in contrast to the engraving quality programs such as Finale and Sibelius.
By 2000 the market was dominated by Finale (particularly in the US), and to a lesser extent Sibelius (which had dominated the UK since 1993, and had expanded worldwide since its Windows release in 1998). Unlike many earlier programs, both of these offered a wide range of sophisticated features, making them suitable for almost all kinds of music and for professional publishing.
In the early 2000s, worldwide sales of Sibelius overtook Finale (according to Sibelius Software
). Sibelius and Finale still dominate the market today.
, to those that can handle the complexities of orchestral music, specialist notations (from early music to avant garde), and high-quality music engraving
.
, or by playing or singing into a microphone.
s. This means that scorewriters have a certain amount in common with sequencers
(many of which can also write music notation up to a point), though scorewriters are used primarily for writing notation and sequencers primarily for recording and playing music.
and to suit their individual house style.
, where they can be (for example) played back, transposed, and printed out, perhaps for a fee.
), most scorewriters can also import or export one or more standard interchange file formats, such as:
There are also human-readable text-based formats such as Abc notation
and ASCII tab
. These are easily rendered as speech by screen reading software.
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
.
A scorewriter is to music notation what a word processor
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
is to text.
Comparison with multitrack sequencer software
Multitrack sequencer softwareMusic sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
and scorewriters typically employ different methods for the input and display of music notation.
Scorewriters are based on traditional music notation, which originates from European classical music. They use graphical symbols representing durations in sound and silence, along with symbols for dynamics, articulations and tempo. Some even allow the user to import or create their own symbols for use in scoring.
Multitrack sequencer software typically uses a multi-track recorder metaphor as the main interface, consisting of multiple tracks and track segments. Individual tracks can be edited using a graphic notation
Graphic notation
Graphic notation is the representation of music through the use of visual symbols outside the realm of traditional music notation. Graphic notation evolved in the 1950s, and it is often used in combination with traditional music notation...
in the form of a piano-roll guided input for the control of MIDI-based hardware or software instruments.
In addition to these two approaches, a third approach has emerged that combines the above two methods of score input into a Digital Audio Workstation
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
. This allows the user to score parts using traditional notation, using the graphic notation of the piano roll and to record acoustic or electronic instruments in real time along side the existing scores.
In all three case it is possible to use the computer keyboard and mouse for input control or to use a MIDI based keyboard for data entry that is later edited using traditional notation or piano-roll based notation.
Some argue that the implementation of traditional notation in multitrack sequencer software and Digital Audio Workstations is limited in contrast to the engraving quality programs such as Finale and Sibelius.
History
The rapid growth of desktop computers in the 1980s caused the creation of dozens of early scorewriters during that decade (see List of scorewriters). However, during the 1990s many of these fell into disuse.By 2000 the market was dominated by Finale (particularly in the US), and to a lesser extent Sibelius (which had dominated the UK since 1993, and had expanded worldwide since its Windows release in 1998). Unlike many earlier programs, both of these offered a wide range of sophisticated features, making them suitable for almost all kinds of music and for professional publishing.
In the early 2000s, worldwide sales of Sibelius overtook Finale (according to Sibelius Software
Sibelius Software
Sibelius Software is a London-based software business and a part of Avid Technology that develops and sells music notation and music education software....
). Sibelius and Finale still dominate the market today.
Basic features
All scorewriters allow the user to input, edit and print music notation, to varying degrees of sophistication. They range from programs which can write a simple song, piano piece or guitar tabTablature
Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering rather than musical pitches....
, to those that can handle the complexities of orchestral music, specialist notations (from early music to avant garde), and high-quality music engraving
Music engraving
Music engraving is the art of drawing music notation at high quality for the purpose of mechanical reproduction. The term music copying is almost equivalent, though music engraving implies a higher degree of skill and quality, usually for publication. Plate engraving, the process the term...
.
Input
Music can usually be input by using the mouse, computer keyboard, and/or a MIDI keyboard. Also a few will allow input by scanning scores using musical OCR softwareMusic OCR
Music OCR is the application of optical character recognition to interpret sheet music or printed scores into editable and, often, playable form. Once captured digitally, the music can be saved in commonly used file formats, e.g...
, or by playing or singing into a microphone.
Playback
Most scorewriters also allow the music to be played back via MIDI, or in some cases using virtual instrumentVirtual instrument
Virtual instrument may refer to:* A Software synthesizer* A program that implements functions of an instrument by computer, sensors and actuators. This can be a program written in the LabVIEW or in other programming languages ....
s. This means that scorewriters have a certain amount in common with sequencers
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
(many of which can also write music notation up to a point), though scorewriters are used primarily for writing notation and sequencers primarily for recording and playing music.
Engraving
Some scorewriters allow the printed output to be customized and fine-tuned to a considerable degree, as is required by publishers to produce high-quality music engravingMusic engraving
Music engraving is the art of drawing music notation at high quality for the purpose of mechanical reproduction. The term music copying is almost equivalent, though music engraving implies a higher degree of skill and quality, usually for publication. Plate engraving, the process the term...
and to suit their individual house style.
Internet publishing
A few scorewriters allow users to publish scores on the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, where they can be (for example) played back, transposed, and printed out, perhaps for a fee.
Other features
Most scorewriters provide other musical functions such as transposing, or producing separate instrumental parts from a full score, or applying music transformations such as retrograde. Some can automatically create instrumental exercises and student worksheets. Some support plug-ins, often developed by users or other companies. Various features found in other types of program are also found in some scorewriters; these include version control (similar to Microsoft Word's 'track changes' feature), importing and exporting graphics, Post-It-like sticky notes, etc.File formats
Almost all scorewriters use their own file formats for saving files. Hence, in order to move notation between different scorewriters (or to/from other kinds of music software such as sequencersMusic sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
), most scorewriters can also import or export one or more standard interchange file formats, such as:
- Standard MIDI File: supported by almost all scorewriters. However, as this format was designed for playback (e.g. by sequencers) rather than notation, it only produces approximate results and much notational information is lost in the process
- MusicXMLMusicXMLMusicXML is an open, XML-based music notation file format.It was developed by Recordare LLC, deriving several key concepts from existing academic formats . It is designed for the interchange of scores, particularly between different scorewriters.Version 1.0 was released in January 2004...
: in recent years has become the standard interchange format for accurate notation - NIFFNIFFNotation Interchange File Format is a music notation file format used primarily for transferring music notation between different scorewriters....
: a now-obsolete file format that was supported by a few scorewriters.
There are also human-readable text-based formats such as Abc notation
Abc notation
ABC notation is a shorthand form of musical notation that has been in use since at least the 19th century, In basic form it uses the letters A through G to represent the given notes, with other elements used to place added value on these - sharp, flat, the length of the note, key, ornamentation...
and ASCII tab
ASCII tab
ASCII tab is a text file format used for writing guitar, bass guitar and drum tabs using plain ASCII numbers, letters and symbols. It is the only widespread file format for representing tab, and is extensively used for disseminating tab via the Internet....
. These are easily rendered as speech by screen reading software.
External links
- Musical notation codes - information on most known musical notation file formats.