Why I Use Sibelius Notation Software

My experience with notation software is extensive. For about 10 years I used Finale happily. I laughed when I was invited to try Sibelius but have now become an advocate.

Long time Finale users may not want to change or may find the task of reworking hundreds (or more) of notation pages daunting. Finale is a very capable program and I still use it when I think it is the best tool (rarely) or when a client asks.

However, my first choice is always Sibelius. It is faster, takes fewer keystrokes, does everything Finale does and prints beautifully. Sibelius was written by musicians, and it “thinks” musically. Finale “thinks” like a techie. I would rather be thinking of music than computers, so I use Sibelius. The final product will be equal with either program.

An Update - No Longer Finale vs. Sibelius

I currently use Finale 2005. While my choice remains Sibelius for the reasons stated above, Finale is a much improved program. Since version 2000 (the first one to respond to Sibelius), Finale has improved their software until the differences that remain between the programs are differences in working method (and philosophy) rather than one being “better” than the other. I will be using Finale 2005 more.

While Finale has incorporated many Sibelius-like features into their software, they have chosen (by purposeful design they tell me) to retain the Finale working method. To me, this is rather slow and clumsy because it entails opening extra windows and extra clicks on various tools. I continue to like the more direct, intuitive method of Sibelius.

People have presented me with long lists of things that they say Sibelius “can't” do. I have been able to accomplish these supposed impossibilities, usually quite easily. Most of the complaints aimed at Sibelius are by people who expect it to work like Finale. I doesn't. Most of the charges fired at Finale are based on versions 5 years (or more) old. The fact is both of these programs are very mature and equally (although sometimes differently) capable. One’s choice should be based only on the preferred working method (or client requirement).

Some Other Choices

Even though Sibelius and Finale are the big ones, there are other choices. Here are some (admittedly superficial) opinions. Some of these packages are only for graphic output (no sound or MIDI). For those who are only interested in a professional (and artistic) presentation of written music, this may be good. To me, one of the advantages of notation software is the way it makes music writing more intuitive and improvisational. It changes the way you think and work in very positive ways. For that reason, I would not work with a package that is only a graphic program.

Score

The granddaddy of notation software. I have never used it but composer Michael Horwood has given me permission to add his analysis to this page.

“I know the program VERY well and it does notationally almost everything I'd ever want to do. I've even done some avant-garde graphic style notations, some were easy, some not. SCORE continues to be a great program capable of great sophistication, editing of even minute details, and it's print output is still considered of the highest quality. If Leland Smith and his associates could update the software to include the playback capabilities that FINALE or SIBELIUS have, then, for me it would be SCORE, the hands down winner and the end to my searching.”

I am grateful for Michael’s comments. He has a very interesting web site at: www.HorwoodComposer.com

I know Score still has a loyal following. We should all be grateful for the pioneering work of it’s developers.

Igor Engraver

An interesting package. Seems to have good MIDI capability and works a little like Sibelius. I do not know it well but maybe some time there will be time for me to...

Lilypond

For those who are only interested in quality graphic output and don’t mind the hassle of open source software, this is a good choice. It is also free.

Notion

This one is different than the others. It is really a notation based sequencer rather than a pure notation package. As such, it is really a unique product.

While I find the notation part of this program too basic (maybe even primitive) for me, the playback functions are superb. I look forward to being able to import Sibelius or Finale files into Notion to make really good digital music files.

Others

I do not know of other professionally capable notation software. The other packages I have seen are limited in capability. This includes the “lite” versions of Finale. The limited options may be more than adequate for some users, but they are not capable of professional work in my opinion.

Sequencing software almost always has some notation functionality. Although they may be getting better than my older CakeWalk, these programs are for performance, not notation. They should be used for their intended purpose.