help finding music software for kiddo

score editing & playback

from WinCustomize Forums
One of my kids plays the clarinet in the 7th grade band. He has recently discovered that, because he can read music, he can compose little tunes on a nintendo game. I am looking for a free download which will allow him to compose a score and play it back. Nothing complicated or sophisticated. Just a little something to show him how cool it can be and to, hopefully, further stimulate his interest in music.

I've done the google thing, but I must not have typed in the right combination of words.

I've looked in Zdnets' downloads and a few other places.

I'd appreciate the help!

(my brain is kinda fried from playing around with Knoppix )
3,341 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Finale Notepad was good last I tried it. It seems to be just about what you are looking for.

http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/index.asp
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
try boy scout
really cool. but only for gameboy advance and .wav files

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Finale Notepad is a very good place to start. If your son want something more advanced for his future "hits" and decides to upgrade, he will have learned the basics from the best in the business.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks so much. That program is just what I was looking for. It offers a lot more than I was expecting from a freebie. You folks are great!!

Now I just need to nudge my son over here to show him
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
he can compose little tunes.

It's good you're trying to encourage this talent. I've known so many musicians that can play anything they've heard, but can't put 5 original notes together to save their hindquarters.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Koasati. He was pretty hyped when he wanted me to see what he had done on that Nintendo game. Here's hoping.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Finale is a great program. Finale Notepad is a great place to start. I have Finale Guitar and I've never regretted purchasing it. In this version, and most likely in the more sophisticated versions, I am able to take a piece of sheet music, scan it, import it into Finale, and through a program called "lite step" it transposes the music into whatever key I want, and then plays the piece back! It's absoltely an incredible program! Might be in your son's future?

Good luck to you and your son!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is why I come to the forums.

Info on how to use the stuff here & stuff to play with.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh boy ....this wasn't the way to do it.

The program works great. He created a 3 voice, original song. Took him a couple of hours to get it just the way he wanted. It was pretty good too. The program won't save the file!!!!!!!! I uninstalled/reinstalled, redownloaded and reinstalled, nothing. I can't get it to save the file. He was really disappointed. The website doesn't say anything about not being able to save files with this. ARrggg. Very frustrating. Luckily he printed it out so he can redo it, but what's the point?

Anyone know of any other programs?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not uless your talking rythms - then theres hammerhead.

So how about recording out to an external - then back in and save as mp3 or whichever?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Frustrating, indeed! They sure know how to suck you in for the kill, don't they? I have a feeling Finale would say that you can perform all of the programs features except for saving!
I just bought the program because I knew I'd use it, but I can get it at an educator's price (I'm a teacher). I don't know of other free programs that allow you to do all that Finale does. It might be something you'll have to consider investing in eventually!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You know, werewolf, no matter the expense, if I thought it would enhance my kids interests enough for them to want to pursue that interest, I'd invest. But that's just me. Again, good luck to both you and your son!!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
finale free does save = but as a .mus file.

Goldwave says it can use a .mus = downloading a trial version to see.

47songs - I just bought the program because I knew I'd use it,


Does the bought version save in any other format?
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Goldwave a nogo on the mus.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I tried saving it as the default .mus filetype, but it didn't work.