New to forum and score software
2 years ago I bought my now 12 year old son an electronic keyboard that has MIDI IN/OUT connections, I've decided to order some interface cables to connect to the computer.
My son has been taking piano lessons and is very creative musically. Before further investing in music composition software, I want to make sure things work OK.
Two questions:
1. Is MuseScore easy enough to use that when connecting a keyboard to it for note entry and playback my son will be able to use it without much problem? (He's very computer literate).
2, When using an external electronic piano keyboard, will this software record what is being played in real time? (for example, full right had 4 note chords will enter all the notes into the staff into the software.
I'm sorry if these questions are too elementary or unrealistic. I'm new to all this.
Thanks.
Comments
MuseScore's primary purpose is for written notation. You can use a MIDI keyboard to speed up the process of entering notes. See the MIDI keyboard heading in note entry for details.
With regards to the second question, MuseScore does not record MIDI keyboard in realtime. There is other notation software that offers this feature but whenever I use it I find it does not do a very good job interpreting rhythms, flats or sharps, multi-voicing, etc. Step-time MIDI entry is what MuseScore offers which allows much greater accuracy in the written notation.
you could try Rosegarden for question 2. I am going to agree about the inaccuracy though. It is much better to slowly work through a section than to try to improv the entire thing and have it record.
So much depends on the complexity of material, the ability to set the software up and the ability to clearly play the intended melody, in time, within the constraints selected.
Given all that, I have had great success in capturing the initial raw data, but written music has a challange all its own. There is always massaging. Often a part of the problem is our own lack of clarity as to what we want as a final result.
Good luck and best regards..