Free Software From Coda Music

07/05/01

  When I first heard that Coda Music, the maker of the popular Finale line of music notation programs was going to release a free notation editor I was very skeptical!  I figured it would be "cripple ware" or "share ware" and bombard you with messages to upgrade all the time (there is a message but you can easily disable it).  What you get is an excellent notation program that's actually quite powerful!

  To start out, there's a quick wizard that lets you name your piece, add composer name, choose instruments and then choose time signature and key. Then you're ready to start writing! Adding notes is a snap.  Just choose note or rest value and start using the mouse to enter in information. If your computer is MIDI enabled, you can hear your masterpiece.
  Entering notes in a measure is relatively dummy proof.  NotePad won't let you enter too many or too few notes in a given measure.
  Granted, NotePad won't make you abandon any other notation software like Sibelius (another great notation program) or the full version of Finale but for the beginning songwriter, it's more than adequate to create quick songs for copyright or even small scores.

  Bottom line, if you don't have any notation software, race on over to www.finalemusic.com/notepad and download your free NotePad and start composing! It makes a great learning tool also!  It's easy enough for beginners to use without a manual.  And if you like this, you can upgrade to Print Music or even their flagship Finale 2001.

Links :

To download your FREE copy of NotePad click here.

To visit the Sibelius web site click here.