Test Audience

If I have seemed aloof here, it's because I'm working on my next project. Consequently, my inspirations are usually funneled in that direction these days. So, here is a recent snippet on the subject of note entry (or, just more shameless self-promotion from a struggling tech writer).

Ah yes, entering the actual notes and stuff. I’d like to say you will be able to follow my exact instructions and then soar like an eagle as a fluent Finale typist entering one thousand notes a second at your slightest passing whim. That will not happen. As I strap you into the hanglider I won’t make assurances you’ll get a feel for it when you’re airborne. I’ll be realistic. This might take a bit of getting used to…

The problem with entry isn’t a particularly difficult interface. Finale’s options are virtually limitless and you can almost certainly find a method that works well for you. But, it is sometimes difficult to discover the one that best matches your unique abilities and requirements. Do you like to press buttons or are you the point-and-click type? Are you drawn to the dark inner secrets of Finale’s Transcription Mode, or perhaps a slave to your MIDI guitar? I can’t claim to know these things (thankfully), and I certainly can’t begin to suspect the outrageous ideas you you have in mind for your composition.

So, when you fly off the ledge, I will wish you well, and expect you’ll be somewhat prepared to avoid disaster on the way down. Yes, the wind may bite and you might lose some altitude as you figure it all out. Just stay calm. Things will work out. If they don’t you probably won’t feel a thing anyway.