I've been composing and arranging in Finale for years but only recently picked up a midi keyboard. This method is SO much easier than anything else I've ever tried. Thank you for the simple tutorial!
Excellent point. Speedy entry is BY FAR the best method of importing notes into notation programs. Nothing else touches it. You forgot the most important part, which is you can alternate between rests and notes by just hitting the rhythm values on the numerical pad. No need to switch between any other modes.
There's a really fast way to add rests in simple entry. Note value and then, "0." Since I don't have a MIDI connection, the choice between simple and speedy is a bit more complex. If I'm doing polyphonic music where each line gets its own layer, speedy entry all the way. If I'm writing where there are a lot of chords, simple entry is faster.
3:40 for this reason i use a mini controler, not too big, not too small. I use a portable controler that i can fold and unfold, it is just that cool. It is not a super keyboard, just a note input device that people thought is for kids... 60 euro. After years i discovered that you have to split two work flows, composing at the piano on notation , and editing on the desk. For the first one all softwares are too late; the majority of softwares have an "engraving"mentality, that Chopin´s like me will hate until the death. I spent so much time on this, cause i hate to notate but love to see my scores, so now I discover the best, similar to your method. Since there is no video on YT about this, and is less expensive than FInale, i gonna reserve my setup for my video on my channel or my patreon ;)
You need to have the full size QUERTY keyboard. The numeric keypad has an ENTER key that will change a rest to a note (indicated by the ledger line selected). And for those wider intervals, just put the cursor on the correct line/space above the existing notes and press ENTER. Because so much of the Speedy command set is on the numeric keypad, it is worth using an iPhone or iPad emulator app to add that part of the QUERTY keyboard to your workflow. Using this numeric keypad is where Finale really gets fast.
I just got a new Mac with the M1 chipset. As a longtime user of Sibelius, it frustrates me that Avid haven't made their software run natively yet on these new Macs and yet Finale have been ready for months. I really need some notation software and am too intimidated to make this jump to Finale because it's so much different to enter notes and learn a brand new workflow. But there really isn't much of a choice.
Excellent. A question: after you have entered several measures of notes, if you want to delete a note or add a new note, can you do that easily? This would be like deleting or inserting a letter with a word processor. Thank you
Yep! Go to the top drop down menu to "Edit" and go down to "insert measure stack." Make sure you have clicked the measure AFTER you want to insert the measure and it'll be before that measure. You can select how many measures you want there to be inserted too. Hope this helps
Just figured this out by accident. When entering notes you are holding down a note (or notes) on your piano, then entering a number for a value. To ENTER RESTS, just enter a value without playing a note.
Great video, thanks! Is there a fast way to make a dotted note? Dotted quarter, or dotted eight, etc? Also, do you have to hit both the MIDI and computer keys at the same time, or first one, then the other? THANKS!
Great video Nathan... I'm starting to get set up to make lead sheets and your tutorial popped up right away on UA-cam. Looking forward to learning this faster thanks to you.... Justin H.
Hi, Akash here, your proficiency in Finale intrigued me. I’m planning to buy a music notation software with no compromises but I am unable to decide between Finale and Sibelius, if you have any hands on experience with Sibelius like you do in Finale world you please, suggest me which one should I opt for and why?
Sorry for the delay - I prefer Finale, but I have only used Sibelius a bit. From what I gather, Sibelius is a bit easier to get good at quickly but Finale is better for overall getting more detailed. It's a bit tougher to learn but there are basically no limits on what it can do, and it's great for engraving. Again, I've only used Sibelius a few times and I had already been using Finale for several years so I am definitely bias.
Can you do a tutorial on how to enter four parts at once (ie SATB, soprano, alto, tenor, and base) by playing four notes at a time? Or point me to one that shows this?
When you say entering SATB at the same time, are you talking about just playing chords on your keyboard and putting it into Finale? Basically, do exactly what I said in the video with holding down multiple notes. Any note(s) you hold down on your MIDI keyboard will be entered. The problem is that won't be split into different staves like you'd expect in SATB. If you're wondering if you can write two separate staves simultaneously, then, no, that is not possible in the way you are wanting to do it. There "is a way" but it is a lot slower than just writing each part on its own stave. Again, if you're wanting everything on one stave, then just do what I show in this video while holding multiple notes - does that make sense? Let me know if I didn't quite understand what you're wanting to do.
Yeah that makes sense. Thanks! I finally found out that I can record the piano accompaniment on a SATB+Piano and then "explode" and it will put the notes in the appropriate stave! :)
Does did method means that as you play the melody on the midi controller you also shift on the note value assigning keys on the computer keyboard at the same time, that looks like you'd need to have a lengthy training to do that, which will make it a very time consuming approach to entering notes.
Sorry for the delayed response -- not that I know of -- however, Finale is a very complex program with seemingly infinite ways to modify and personalize it, so I would not be at all surprised if you could program that kind of functionality. With that said, in my opinion, just using the keyboard with one hand the MIDI controller with the other works great. If you have a wireless keyboard, you can always set it on top of your MIDI, depending on your setup. I started doing that since I have a new setup now.
This is such a straight forward, delightfully brief and effective tutorial. Thank you!
I've been composing and arranging in Finale for years but only recently picked up a midi keyboard. This method is SO much easier than anything else I've ever tried. Thank you for the simple tutorial!
I'm excited to try this! Thank you!
Excellent point. Speedy entry is BY FAR the best method of importing notes into notation programs. Nothing else touches it. You forgot the most important part, which is you can alternate between rests and notes by just hitting the rhythm values on the numerical pad. No need to switch between any other modes.
There's a really fast way to add rests in simple entry. Note value and then, "0."
Since I don't have a MIDI connection, the choice between simple and speedy is a bit more complex. If I'm doing polyphonic music where each line gets its own layer, speedy entry all the way. If I'm writing where there are a lot of chords, simple entry is faster.
3:40 for this reason i use a mini controler, not too big, not too small. I use a portable controler that i can fold and unfold, it is just that cool. It is not a super keyboard, just a note input device that people thought is for kids... 60 euro. After years i discovered that you have to split two work flows, composing at the piano on notation , and editing on the desk. For the first one all softwares are too late; the majority of softwares have an "engraving"mentality, that Chopin´s like me will hate until the death. I spent so much time on this, cause i hate to notate but love to see my scores, so now I discover the best, similar to your method. Since there is no video on YT about this, and is less expensive than FInale, i gonna reserve my setup for my video on my channel or my patreon ;)
Hi I have the same keyboard a Casio but is not compatible with Mac, How did you make it work with MAC? thanks
You need to have the full size QUERTY keyboard. The numeric keypad has an ENTER key that will change a rest to a note (indicated by the ledger line selected). And for those wider intervals, just put the cursor on the correct line/space above the existing notes and press ENTER. Because so much of the Speedy command set is on the numeric keypad, it is worth using an iPhone or iPad emulator app to add that part of the QUERTY keyboard to your workflow. Using this numeric keypad is where Finale really gets fast.
What emulator app would you be referring to?
I just got a new Mac with the M1 chipset. As a longtime user of Sibelius, it frustrates me that Avid haven't made their software run natively yet on these new Macs and yet Finale have been ready for months. I really need some notation software and am too intimidated to make this jump to Finale because it's so much different to enter notes and learn a brand new workflow. But there really isn't much of a choice.
Great stuff, thanks!
Can I record audio on Finale, say my voice singing, or do I have to import an audio file?
Excellent. A question: after you have entered several measures of notes, if you want to delete a note or add a new note, can you do that easily? This would be like deleting or inserting a letter with a word processor. Thank you
How do connect the keyboard to the computer?
Can you say a bit about how to INSERT a measure between 2 existing measures?
Yep! Go to the top drop down menu to "Edit" and go down to "insert measure stack." Make sure you have clicked the measure AFTER you want to insert the measure and it'll be before that measure. You can select how many measures you want there to be inserted too. Hope this helps
Thank you! And thanks for reading and responding to the comments.
Thank you! Great video. But waht about enteing rests?
Just figured this out by accident. When entering notes you are holding down a note (or notes) on your piano, then entering a number for a value. To ENTER RESTS, just enter a value without playing a note.
@@MauriceCalis Indead! Thank you
Great video, thanks! Is there a fast way to make a dotted note? Dotted quarter, or dotted eight, etc? Also, do you have to hit both the MIDI and computer keys at the same time, or first one, then the other? THANKS!
Period makes dotted note and press at same time for MIDI and keyboard
@@NathanJamesLarsen VERY VERY THANK YOU!! Speedy reply :))
Can u further explain how you use your iPhone as a midi controller? What app are u using?
Yes, I am also interested in learning how to do this. Thanks for any info you can provide.
Iphone > Logic Remote App > Logic Pro > Increased levels of happyness
Thank you!!!! :) God bless you!!!
Great video Nathan... I'm starting to get set up to make lead sheets and your tutorial popped up right away on UA-cam. Looking forward to learning this faster thanks to you.... Justin H.
Julie Halbgewachs thanks! I actually have a video on making Lead Sheets up that might help you even more!
Great video!
Cool thanks
Hi, Akash here, your proficiency in Finale intrigued me. I’m planning to buy a music notation software with no compromises but I am unable to decide between Finale and Sibelius, if you have any hands on experience with Sibelius like you do in Finale world you please, suggest me which one should I opt for and why?
Sorry for the delay - I prefer Finale, but I have only used Sibelius a bit. From what I gather, Sibelius is a bit easier to get good at quickly but Finale is better for overall getting more detailed. It's a bit tougher to learn but there are basically no limits on what it can do, and it's great for engraving. Again, I've only used Sibelius a few times and I had already been using Finale for several years so I am definitely bias.
Thank you so much for this!
Absolutely! Glad it was helpful
Can you do a tutorial on how to enter four parts at once (ie SATB, soprano, alto, tenor, and base) by playing four notes at a time? Or point me to one that shows this?
When you say entering SATB at the same time, are you talking about just playing chords on your keyboard and putting it into Finale? Basically, do exactly what I said in the video with holding down multiple notes. Any note(s) you hold down on your MIDI keyboard will be entered. The problem is that won't be split into different staves like you'd expect in SATB. If you're wondering if you can write two separate staves simultaneously, then, no, that is not possible in the way you are wanting to do it. There "is a way" but it is a lot slower than just writing each part on its own stave. Again, if you're wanting everything on one stave, then just do what I show in this video while holding multiple notes - does that make sense? Let me know if I didn't quite understand what you're wanting to do.
Yeah that makes sense. Thanks! I finally found out that I can record the piano accompaniment on a SATB+Piano and then "explode" and it will put the notes in the appropriate stave! :)
Does did method means that as you play the melody on the midi controller you also shift on the note value assigning keys on the computer keyboard at the same time, that looks like you'd need to have a lengthy training to do that, which will make it a very time consuming approach to entering notes.
Great video. Thanks.
No problem! Happy to help!
Is there a way to edit rhythm length on a midi controller?
Sorry for the delayed response -- not that I know of -- however, Finale is a very complex program with seemingly infinite ways to modify and personalize it, so I would not be at all surprised if you could program that kind of functionality. With that said, in my opinion, just using the keyboard with one hand the MIDI controller with the other works great. If you have a wireless keyboard, you can always set it on top of your MIDI, depending on your setup. I started doing that since I have a new setup now.
here is the software guys gum.co/yMRPl