Finale vs Sibelius

[Tom B.]

Finale has a free downloadable plugin called Dolet 6 which is supposed to read and write XML files. I haven't used it yet, because I've had no need to do so. I am not a power user, and usually forget how to do a few things between infrequent Finale sessions. As mentioned by someone previously, I use two monitors with the user manual on one and the program on the other. It definitely speeds things up. I use note entry with a midi keyboard extensively. Because I've been using the program for over 10 years, I don't intend to switch.

[PMeuph]

Bottom line seems to be this:

If you plan on arranging Xenakis, go with Finale(or MS Paint ) .

If you plan on arranging something pre-Stravinsky* (in terms of rhythms, notation, layout) go with Sibelius.

*Could include most pop music/film music of the last century.
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Full disclosure: I used Finale when I was in Undergrad, I never really mastered it, but I was/am good at it. I can still enter good looking parts, or as I've done a lot this year, worksheets, exercises and lesson plans for theory.

On my computer, I use Sibelius. Again, I'm not an expert, I probably use the program 1-2 hours a weeks. Last week, I photoscores a trombone quartet arrangement and imported in sibelius to transpose it down a 3rd. This week, I'm writing out a brass ensemble version of a popular euph solo. Both are easy in Sibelius.

I tackled a Kagel piece this year in Sibelius. (For an acquaintance). It proved to be extremely challenging. Sibelius' magnetic layout is great, except when they are 40 billion extra markings on the page. Then it became a struggle to fit everything on the page. Plus, a lot of workarounds have to be figured out.

m. 365 - That's a change to percussion with the clef hidden. The bottom line is in a separate layer, and the noteheads are custom made in the notehead editor...
m. 375 The "octuplet" should be 32nds, but since Kagel had written it like this, the measure had to be stretched (be given an extra beat) without the time signature change.

[PaulMaybery]

NICE!!!!