By Laurie Niles: What software do you use for music notation?
This was a question that came up during an online teacher enrichment course I've been taking on music literacy for string players, taught by fantastic teacher Carrie Salisbury and teacher/composer Michael McLean.
Hmm what do I use for music notation - pencil and paper?
![writing music little girl composing]()
Yes, somehow I've worked around the need for notation software for a long time. I'm not a composer - I certainly write more words than I do music notes! But now and then I need to write out an exercise for a student, or I want to write out something in my head. So I'm finally seeing the advantages of being able to write into a tidy template, so that it can be legible, savable and easily shareable.
Which has led me to: which kind of software works best for music notation, particularly for a violinist and teacher? I'm curious about what kinds of software everyone else is using. Also, are there others, like me, who have been on the sidelines for a while, when it comes to music notation software? Others who still use a pencil and manuscript paper? (I know at least one professional composer who composers at least the first draft this way!) Please participate in the vote, and then share your experience, when it comes to notating music.
* * *
Enjoying Violinist.com? Click here to sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter. And if you've already signed up, please invite your friends! Thank you.