Standard Notation Software

Tim Craig · #1 10-12-2008, 08:10 PM

Hello fellow bassists,

Is there free/inexpensive downloadable software for writing and printing very simple 1/4 note standard notation bass lines? I'm not sure if this is the correct forum but it's a place to start. Thanks.

Tim C.

DocBop · #2 10-12-2008, 09:26 PM

Finale used to have a free version called Notepad that was pretty good I used to use it all the time. I believe they might charge a little for it these days.

Bass Troll · #3 10-13-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Finale used to have a free version called Notepad that was pretty good I used to use it all the time. I believe they might charge a little for it these days.

It's still free, and now has midi export/import options. It's actually a pretty good program, unless you want to notate any drums.

mambo4 · #4 10-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Yeah, finale notepad is good for what you describe.

It will even play back what you notate thru your PC's midi.

my only gripe is that it you can't force it to stick to 4 bars to a line, visually.

SuperDuck · #5 10-14-2008, 08:17 PM

I've never used LilyPond, but I do know that it's an open source program (so it's free to download).

http://lilypond.org/web/

I have used Finale Notepad in the past, and have found it to be useful despite its limitations.

Bass Troll · #6 10-15-2008, 12:53 AM

I went onto the finale site today, and seems they're trying to charge $9.95 for the new, 2009 version of notepad. It's not like it's a lot of money, but it's annoying if you have no paypal/credit card.

manicbassman · #7 10-15-2008, 01:13 AM

Tux Guitar... free, opens and saves guitar pro and powertab files.

http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/

Also you can input the notes using the mouse on a representation of the fretboard or a piano...

also runs on Linux, Mac OSx and windows...

Michael Campbel · #8 10-15-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

I've never used LilyPond, but I do know that it's an open source program (so it's free to download).

http://lilypond.org/web/

I have used Finale Notepad in the past, and have found it to be useful despite its limitations.

Lilypond is free. It's immense in its features, but a bit fiddly. I'm a programmer by trade so this sort of thing is interesting to me in its own right, but I wouldn't recommend it to the casual user.

DavidMP · #9 10-15-2008, 02:45 PM

Besides Lilypond there is also NoteEdit and Rosegarden.
I use Lilypond and like it quite a bit. I have been using the "LilyPond Tool for jEdit", and are currently exploring the Denemo front end. I'm debating whether Rosegarden would be useful for me since I have no MIDI devices at the moment and it seem the be that this is the biggest emphasis of the project (music "engraving" is done via LilyPond)