Create a simpler/reduced feature interface for a senior(over age 60) user group

• Jan 7, 2020 - 02:14

I work with a senior singing ensemble (40 people aged 60+). I have been using MuseScore by taking the arrangements given by our music director and entering them into MS, then sending them out to our members. This has been helpful for many in rehearsing the numbers. However, the program is intimidating for many and too complex. Is there a way to slim down the program features so that there are only a few - primarily the play panel and the voice control panel? Then, I could be sure that the members would not accidentally change or delete something. Yet, they could still benefit from the program in practicing the pieces. Or, is there a way I can lock the files? I would like them to still have the option of changing the tempo, using the metronome and repeat functions. THANKS.

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• Jan 7, 2020 - 05:08

You could use the View menu and deselect many options and/or even right click on the top bar (red dot in the image)

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• Jan 8, 2020 - 03:01

Thanks for the thought. Each of our members downloads their own version of MS to their home computer. I send out the song files based on their requests. So, I can't alter the program for each person. What I am really looking for is a "runtime" version that would only have play-related features. Do you know of any other program that might do that? I want them to be able to add the metronome feature or not, change tempo as they learn the music, use the repeat function, etc. But, because some of them are in their mid to upper 80s, I want to limit the potential for altering the song files accidentally.

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• Jan 8, 2020 - 03:13

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that I would have to load the files to the .com website and they would be available to the public. The arrangments are done by a professional musical artist/director who copyrights what he does and is loath to make his work open to the public. He creates the work in Finale, then sends me the XML files. I break apart the work into the SATB voices as separate staves. I then create versions from that so that each voice has a version where that stave's volume is increased over the others. More than half of our group of 40 is now finding MS helpful in the process. Each year we learn close to 26 new numbers and perform from memory. We are a non-profit. The directors are paid but the rest of us are all volunteers. Our oldest member currently is 88. Thanks for any suggestions.

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