Finale Songwriter 2007

Finale SongWriter
Despite the steep learning curve, I love this software!
I am an adult beginner piano student. I surprised my piano teacher when I presented her with the beautiful, professional score of an original song.

Finale Songwriter works well if you're low on cash & can't afford the full version. Once learned, even entering complex rhythms becomes fairly easy & quick. There are several limitations 2 it, however many of them can be worked around. (For example: If you want 2 enter 4 chord symbols over a single measure with a whole note, you'll have 2 enter 4 quarter notes tied 2 get it 2 work; Also, it won't let you change the number of staves in a piece). There are some other limitations as well, but, overall, a very useful tool 4 anybody in music. -Darius Sharpe

I was a little skeptical of the program because earlier reviews seemed that the procedure of writing & printing music was going 2 be a little more difficult than I could handle. However, the simplicity of this program is incredible! I installed the program, printed & read the instructions, & worked through a little of the tutorial. Then, within about 30 minutes I had entered an old hymn, transposed 2 another key & printed. I love Finale Songwriter 2007.
Clarese

I love this program! I like 2 doodle around & attempt melodic dictation. Plus it's really helpful since I'm a music major, & can put in music & hear what it sounds like. Although it has no grace notes. Other than that, there's nothing bad I can say about it. It's wonderful. I like that you can change the sounds of the instruments so that if I have 2 use weird instruments because that staff is weird, I don't have 2 hear it that way (ex. 4 lines of piano music, with 3 treble clefs & only one bass clef, so I used piccolo, flute, oboe, & bassoon, then changed it so it sounds like piano) And it works beautifully with my Mac, no problems at all. :D

This particular Finale product is too basic 4 truly advanced composers/musicians. You can't change time signatures or keys mid-song...there aren't even grace notes. It only transposes the most basic music. If you play above an 8 or so, it won't keep up with you. We even tried it at a 5, & it missed some stuff. It works at a basic level, which is why I gave it a 2, but the features are very limited! Go for/use the advanced, expensive programs if you're at that level. We did & are MUCh happier! This particular program would be Great 4 a beginner, though!

Finale Songwriter 2007 makes it easier & more productive 2 experiment with melodies, explore new arrangements & experience your songs! Work with a full orchestra of instruments, & adjust tempos 2 give your songs more energy. Use the Band-in-a-Box Auto Harmonizing 2 create a full sound. Print professional-quality sheet music, create MP3 files, even e-mail your songs 2 band members, friends, & fans! Transpose 2 any key Type a chord name 2 hear how it sounds - & see its guitar fretboard Select automatic drum grooves 4 different styles Add automatic harmonies Experiment with over 128 professional instruments Print great-looking sheet music Save MP3 files 2 create audio CDs or 2 play on an iPod Hear your songs with a professional software synthesizer-no hardware required Use Human Playback 2 make songs sound like they're performed like live musicians Band-in-a-Box Auto Harmonizing Automatic lyric placement - up 2 six lyric verses Chord symbols, fretboard diagrams & percussion notation Automatic note spacing, dynamics, slurs, & articulations Multiple Undo