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.

Micro Managing

A quick glance into my dysfunctional parallel life as a technical writer:

If your personality has a power-hungry, dictatorial, control-freak bent, you are perfectly positioned to utilize Finale to its fullest potential. You may be relieved to hear that it doesn’t whine, protest, or file frivolous lawsuits. It will never strike, pull strings behind the scenes, or engage in all-out rebellion. As long as you stick to a few simple principles, no amount of abuse can possibly hurt Finale’s feelings.

Of course, break one of these basic principles and Finale’s personality may suddenly change. And when it does you will curse the upturned nose of the Special Tools Tool , or shake your fist at the evil eye of the Articulation Tool . But, alas, the tools do not hear your screams. Finale was always just a combination of 1s and 0s, and it was only your composition that was touching and beautiful. When it comes right down to it, you brought your creation into the world despite the cold arrangement of bits, not because of it.

We all compose with the same combination of 1s and 0s, and there is little reason to fear the incredible power that comes with it. How you employ your own monarchical/tyrannical rule over Finale is up to you, but when the evil eye returns, it’s nothing personal. You probably just didn’t listen to something I said.