I can create music in my head, but ...

I can create music in my head, but can't play an instrument or know anything about music theory. I'd like to learn to write it and use software to play it form me.

What con you recommend?

What do I need to learn?

To notate music. That'd be the first step, I think!

Can you hum or whistle it?

Then record it.

Then, using a piano or something, plunk out the notes one by one, following the recording. Note which keys you hit, how long you hold them.

The next step would be notating, which is very overwhelming if you take it in all at once. Start small, learn your staff and your first couple of leger lines up and down, plus note durations.

This is a very brute-force method, but it works.

yeah, usually i hum the main melody into a tuner (cheating..i know..) to figure out which notes I'm humming, then play it on the piano and write it down, then use the piano again to figure out the harmonization/other parths

Hmm :hmmm:

Interesting problem. What size do you typically write for? If it's under 12, lilypond is, while not that great, the cheapest option. Then finale, which has REAL issues.. ones I can't get past. THEN of course there is Sibelius, the most expensive option, but the best. It doesn't have many problems, and you can write in a flash. I'd recommend it, but if you don't have the money finale would do :)

Finale has no more problems than Sibelius. The interface is slightly different, and there's a little more of a learning curve. Like Sibelius, also, Finale is designed primarily for notation, not playback - so while with some manipulation, it's possible to do almost anything visually in Finale, it won't necessarily play back whatever you put in.

You should learn some basic music theory. Then you can use a tuner to know what notes you are humming. There are some free once you can download. You just need a mic.

For the notation software, if you want a free one use noteworthy composer.

Finale has no more problems than Sibelius. The interface is slightly different, and there's a little more of a learning curve. Like Sibelius, also, Finale is designed primarily for notation, not playback - so while with some manipulation, it's possible to do almost anything visually in Finale, it won't necessarily play back whatever you put in.

I don't know if you've used Sibelius 6 yet, but it blows finale 2009 out of the water. Its completely fluid and with the new magnetic layout / rewire, it makes it incredibly easy to write and sequence a perfect looking score. I do agree though that prior to the newest version of Sibelius, the two carried an equal amount of problems.

To start on Music theory, try this: Home - My Music Theory. Free lessons and exercises in Music Theory for everyone. and Ricci Adam's musictheory.net

Start on Grade one, and work up. Learn via writing by hand. These notation programs are useful later on, but remember, nothing will replace good old pen and pencils!!! Learning and Remembering these basics are VITAL if you are going to compose. And notation programs...... try musescore (a freebie) here: MuseScore | Free music composition & notation software It does all the basic features, but if you want something more advanced, I can't really help you, the other composers will have to give input on that...

I don't know if you've used Sibelius 6 yet, but it blows finale 2009 out of the water. Its completely fluid and with the new magnetic layout / rewire, it makes it incredibly easy to write and sequence a perfect looking score. I do agree though that prior to the newest version of Sibelius, the two carried an equal amount of problems.

No... Visually, Finale just WORKS better and LOOKS better. lol. Nobody wants to look at a Sibelius score, they're UGLY.

But, that's not the argument. About the topic... I agree with all previous methods spoken.

No... Visually, Finale just WORKS better and LOOKS better. lol. Nobody wants to look at a Sibelius score, they're UGLY.

But, that's not the argument. About the topic... I agree with all previous methods spoken.

Morivou....tsk tsk, you don't know what Sib 6 has. Sib 6 actually has a button that you click and then *poof* score is clean. It's called optimize staff spacing.

Try getting finale to do that ;)

Morivou....tsk tsk, you don't know what Sib 6 has. Sib 6 actually has a button that you click and then *poof* score is clean. It's called optimize staff spacing.

Try getting finale to do that ;)

No... I mean I do not like looking at a type-set done by Sibelius... they don't look professional AT ALL.

No... I mean I do not like looking at a type-set done by Sibelius... they don't look professional AT ALL.

Oh that....

n/m :blush:

No... I mean I do not like looking at a type-set done by Sibelius... they don't look professional AT ALL.

Hm, I don't know. Most scores written with either Finale or Sibelius don't look "professional" if they're notated carelessly with out of the box settings. But I've seen some pretty awesome looking scores written with either program as well. The only difference is the font (which also depends on which one you select) - and that's mostly a matter of personal taste.

Its safe to say that with both programs, it takes some knowledge of proper score layout to make an accurate looking score. I really don't think its fair to say that Sibelius can't produce a good looking score though. Especially 6, it really has made VAST improvements.

Morivou....tsk tsk, you don't know what Sib 6 has. Sib 6 actually has a button that you click and then *poof* score is clean. It's called optimize staff spacing.

Try getting finale to do that ;)

Umm, Finale does do this.