Weaning oneself from Finale
As some of you probably know, I came to MuseScore from Finale, which I had been using for around 15 years. I had a pretty large collection of music I had composed, arranged, or otherwise created in that format. Ever since the release of MuseScore 1.1, I had stopped using Finale for any new work, and indeed within a few months, I had converted over a large number of my original compositions - pretty much all the ones in lead sheet format - to MuseScore, as I related here . But I still have quite a few Finale files on my system that I occasionally needed to access for whatever reason: to print a copy as is, to transpose and then print, or - most importantly - to export to MusicXML in order to rework in MuseScore. So I have kept Finale on my system for those purposes.
I recently moved to a new computer and decided to see if I could get away with not installing the full version of Finale at all but still be able to do what I needed just using the free Finale NotePad. I am happy to report that the answer appears to be yes. I knew it would be able to open and print my old files, but I was doubting I'd be able to transpose or export to MusicXML. However, I just tried it out and both transposition and MusicXML export appear to work (with some limitations with respect to transposition, but nothing I can't easily live with). So, I can now continue to use MuseScore for all new work and NotePad to open my old Finale files when necessary.
Anyhow, I find it very satisfying to not have Finale installed any more, and thought I'd share in case anyone ever finds themselves in a similar situation.
Comments
That's good news Marc. Thanks for sharing.
Perhaps some day, once you no longer even need Finale NotePad, your dependence on Finale will reach its Grand Finale. ;)
I think MuseScore 1.2 is very good and will be perfected as the versions are released. However, I would recommend waiting until at least 2.0 before abandoning work on other software. There's a number of things that need ironed out (e.g. drums don't import from MusicXML), etc.
Also, Finale NotePad is a limited version of the full software, so you might not be seeing your score properly if you use it.
In reply to I think MuseScore 1.2 is very by chen lung
While I recognize there are limitations to what can be done with MuseScore, the same is actually true of Finale. I have just learned to work within both programs' limitations, and don't feel like either actually limits me. It's been well over a year since I have created anything new with Finale, and yet it's been an extremely productive year with MuseScore. 95% of what I do is now easier / better than before, so I don't sweat the 5% that isn't.
But indeed, I'm not suggesting that everyone who currently maintains both systems can necessarily abandon Finale just because I have. Some people might depend on Finale features than MuseScore lacks and still need to do work in Finale. I'm just pointing out that *if* you have reached a point, like me, where you find you no longer need Finale for anything but opening old files for transposing, printing, or exporting to MusicXML, Finale NotePad really does seem to be all you need.
As for NotePad not displaying my Finale scores properly, I'm sure that's possible, but I haven't noticed any issues in the scores I've loaded. Since my version of Finale is 2008, I also expect the latest full version of Finale might also occasionally hiccup. In any event, unless it fails completely on some given file, I am not concerned. Worst case, I dig out the old computer and fire it up just for that file. Or bring the file in to the computers at school.
In reply to While I recognize there are by Marc Sabatella
Actually, the reason I posted was, it seemed your post was kind-of suggesting that anyone who had doubts about emigrating completely to MuseScore, should do so and won't encounter problems :).
Judging by a comparison, the current version of MuseScore appears to offer more of certain features than other software, and that's great. However, certain bugs in the current version make me feel it's not ready yet.
My opinion is: MuseScore needs perhaps two major releases before it can fully compete and adhere to stringent standards expected by the entire spectrum of users - 2.0 will be a big step towards reaching the benchmark, but due to challenges in implementing certain fixes and features, I think the developers will be even closer for 3.0.
I don't think MuseScore has existed as long as other software, yet, much has been achieved. It is a large piece of software and wonderful for many reasons. Probably in a year or so, the aforementioned will be achieved and we'll be laughing :).
In reply to Actually, the reason I posted by chen lung
Sure, there is always room for improvement in any software. But FWIW, since you brought up the subject of meeting expectations, I would observe I am a full-time professional musician, educator, author, arranger, and composer, using MuseScore in all aspects of my career on pretty much a daily basis in a wide variety of situations, so it would be reasonable to say I am a pretty demanding user. And I can attest that MuseScore does meet *my* needs completely despite its inevitable few bugs and limitations. Just as Finale also met my needs despite its own bugs and limitations, and Sibelius meets other people's needs despites its bugs and limitations - and make no mistake, each of these programs has its share of bugs and limitations. But we're really at a great point in the development of music technology. I think the vast majority of musicians would find *any* of these programs could completely meet their needs, and how cool that one happens to be free / open source!
Anyhow, yes, some people with very specific needs might find one of these three won't work for them for whatever reason, and may thus need to use one of the others (or perhaps some other program still). So certainly, anyone with a considerale investment in one program should not make a switch lightly. You'd want to spend some time, as I have, living with your potential new choice to see if it really does meet your needs.
But again, my point is not to quibble about whether one program meets any one particular person's needs better than some other program. That's for people to decide for themselves. I am just reporting that if you are, like me, a former Finale user who has found through experience that MuseScore now meets your needs completely, NotePad appears to be all you would need for continued access to your existing Finale files. That was something I didn't know until today, and I thought it worth sharing.
In VietNam, Finale is a popular software, a little is using MuseScore. I had guided for some friends but they said MuseScore using difficult. :( .
I using MuseScore for myself to composed, arranged.