Can someone with the knowledge help me!! I want to purchase Sebelius software for writing my compositions down. I need to know whether it is easier than writing it down yourself; whether buying a student version is cheaper, and, as a teacher can I get it cheaper thanon the net??

Aluisa, looking forward to some guidance!!

Hi Aluisa

Sibelius 4 is quite easy to use and is definitely a lot simpler and more productive than using manuscript paper and a pencil, and the easiest way to use it is to connect your laptop/desktop pc to a midi keyboard and input your notes/chords that way. This is much easier than attempting to input the notes through the computer keyboard as it emulates what you would be doing when actually playing the piano or a digital keyboard. If you have a digital piano (Roland HP3e/Yamaha Clavinova et al you're laughing!)

As a teacher you should be able to get the discounted version or student version, but the latter is a cut down product and is not as fully featured as the full blown version. Sibelius recently sold out to Avid, a company which majors in multimedia, video, audio etc, so the prices should start to fall in time.

I use Sibelius and it is fantastic for composing, it is very intuitive and recommended by many professional musicians and composers such as Michael Nyman, Michael Kayman, John Rutter, The Royal Academy and Royal Colleges of Music, Carl Davies, Howard Goddhall to name just a few.

Good Luck!