We have just started our compositions for Music AS (Edexcel). I did my GCSE ones on Finale Notepad but it really isn't that good (the free edition). I was thinking of getting some new software to do it with, should I get Sibelius Student?
Nicki

Do you have access to sibelius at school? It's very expensive, I considered getting it, but then decided against it!

You can do something in Finale and in sibelius chose "import finale file" or something, can't remeber the exact wording If you want, I'll find out on monday how to do it. My teacher found it when she was exploring sibelius.

I can thoroughly recommend Sibelius. The "student" version is a cut down version of the full Sibelius program. It is limited to 8staves but that shouldn't bother you. Print-out is first class and if you are writing for several instruments it will print out a score for each individual instrument at a click of a button. You can't go wrong at £99. Good luck with your exam.

Sib. Student is about a quarter the price of the full version, and is very useful. I would suggest it! I want it, but have to save up loads first

I havent got it but we have sibelius at school and i used that for my gcse comps and its fantastic...get it if you think it would help for a level!

Thanks...we have it at school, but when I want to work on stuff at home it would be useful.

It appears our school is too cheapskates to afford Sibelius. Anyhow...

Yes, sib is good. But there is only 8 staves availible, and you really have to get the hang of entering stuff in to be able to do it quickly. And I still haven't worked out how to do mordents....

It can't be as bad as the free version of Finale...

Definitely. I've never used the student version, but we have the full version on computers in school and I couldn't do without it.

Don't worry about getting used to it, it really doesn't take long for someone quite musical to get the hang of and makes composing so much easier!

NM

I have finale notepad (free version) AND sibelius student. I find sibelius much easier to input notes using the keypad. If you have sibelius at school I'd recommend getting it if affordable for you.

As Helen said it has a bit for 'inport finale file' BUT I can't get it to open any of my finale notepad files. Does this mean it'll only import from full finale version files or only full sibelius with import? I've no idea! Just don't bank on that working (but if you manage to work it tell me how please)

I think you may need the full version of Finale (i.e paid) for it to work

Notepad is completely free, so has certain limitations - but is nonetheless very good value for money!. Sibelius doesn't have a free version, so there is no comparison available.

There are lots of different versions of Finale at prices to suit most pockets, for example "Finale PrintMusic!", and you can see the detailed Finale series features chart at

http://downloads.makemusic.com/forms/product_comparisons.pdf

and "Finale PrintMusic! costs about £60 including VAT, as can be seen at the UK distributor's website at

http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/finalenotepad.shtml

Hope that's useful. I have the full Finale, and enjoy it immensely.

There is free real-time Finale support available via IRC channel #finale, more info at http://www.finaleirc.com/ .

Hello! I am also take composition paper in the A Level Music.

Just to say hi. Now I study Master in University.