Off the top of my head, this is the start of my wishlist for improvements and extensions to Finale's capabilities, in no particular order (if any of them can be done in a way I'm not realising, please tell me!):
A better implementation of microtones (or even just a simple preset that enables quartertonality) Duration-linked geometric shapes. The example I've got in mind is where they were used to indicate the compass to be used in an improvised section, with the compass expanding and contracting at various points. More flexibility and ease of application of custom noteheads, and 'smart' stem connections which would automatically attach to the edge of a notehead (even if they then may need subsequent adjustment). Less global document settings. Far too many things cannot be adjusted for just a section of a document. (Stem lengths, stave line widths, 4/4 vs. C, just three that come to mind). Implementation of irrational time signatures (2/10, 7/24 etc.) Feathered beams, in a way which doesn't involve massive fudging and manual tweaking. I've never found the cross-staff beams to be flexible enough. 'Beat-attached' expressions. For example, with a semibreve in a 4/4 bar, I may want a 'fff' halfway through the third beat. As far as I can figure out, it's either a matter of attaching it to hidden notes in another layer, or eyeballing it. It would be nice to specify it as positioned 2.5 beats through the bar. A spellchecker which is designed to deal with common musical instructions and terminology. Time signature options to easily create large numbers across several staves, or above systems. > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dennis > Bathory-Kitsz > Sent: 03 May 2006 17:16 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [Olist] Sibelius/Finale question [lengthy Bailey reply] > > > At 11:38 AM 5/2/2006 -0400, RVW wrote: > >both programs are now-a-days essentially identical. > >They just use different keys for the same task > > As a Finale user who deals with the ongoing frustration of engraving > contemporary music, I'd like to know not what is 'essentially > identical', > but what are unique capabilities that could make my life > easier. I've got a > 14-year history with Finale, and can do most of what I need > with it -- but > I am still frustrated by its limitations. > > Right now I'm in the midst of engraving a bunch of chamber > pieces for a > composer with particular rhythmic needs (something I've > mentioned on the > Finale list). I can engrave this, but I can't make it play back. I've > downloaded the Sibelius demo a few times for different > versions, but can > never 'tame' it enough to try it on contemporary scores. > > Can any program do this and play it back? (Four versions of possible > notation methods shown.) > http://maltedmedia.com/images/n-5b-dbk-41-suggestion4.pdf I'm happy to take this off-list or to another list, but I certainly would like to hear from those with needs and experience go beyond that 90% of standard notational practices. Dennis ____________ Orchestralist www.orchestralist.net Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Orchestralist/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
