My latest Finale installation is 2005. Compared to my first Finale (v.
2), in which Simple was useless and Speedy was the only way to go, it is
vastly improved. Compared to my Sibelius (any version) Fin 05's Simple
is still a little clumsy, but then Simple entry really is the Sibelius
way to work.
I got to talk with "the Toms" recently at a convention and have been
told that in Fin 08 the Simple tools have again been improved and that
they have completely revamped the copy/paste routines which are the
other part of the "Simple package". If this is true, then Finale's work
flow will become much like that of Sibelius; "enter data once, copy,
paste and edit". It is very fast but a big change for people who have
been using Speedy for years.
The problem is some of workers just don't think that way and will always
find Simple clumsy. Others will just not want to learn new ways when the
old ones work just fine, thanks.
If your really interested in learning to use Simple well, the best way
is probably to give yourself a project (something in which you are not
pressed for time or working for a client) and just make yourself do it
with Simple, no Speedy. Kind of a bite the bullet sort of thing. When
you finish, you'll probably know if the method is for you.
With so many of the most experienced Finale workers heavily invested in
Speedy, I don't see how it can ever be taken out of Finale no matter how
much MM might want to. Unless there is some wish for corporate suicide.
Richard Smith
www.rgsmithmusic.com
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 8/9/07 9:31:12 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Did they then explain why MakeMusic seems to have abandoned Speedy
Entry, which I have found can be quite efficient and entirely
computer-keyboard-centered if desired, as their suggested method of
entry, in favor of Simple Entry which requires mousing?
Actually, they did. The keyboard shortcuts in Simple are now so
comprehensive, and the new Selection Tool so versatile, that mousing
is increasingly less necessary (if that makes any sense). They also
said that eventually they plan to make Simple Entry so easy and
powerful that they can phase out Speedy altogether.
Crap! I'm screwed! I find Simple so slow and counterintuitive that
I can't deal with it at all! All the commands are different, and
some that I need a lot aren't there!
Well, I feel the same. I've tried simple a few times with no real
success. But I can't tell if that's a problem of the interface, or
simply the fact that I have used Speedy since Finale v.1.
Greg Hamilton - a fine copyist/engraver in Vancouver, with whom I am
regularly in touch, says that he recently took a few hours (or maybe
days, I don't know) to teach himself Simple and now finds it quicker
and prefers it. I plan to take a drive up to visit sometime next
week to get a hands on lesson. For an old dog like me, it will take
a slow and careful re-training to adapt to a new method, and the
biggest obstacle (I think) will be rhythmic value first, pitch second
(even though I believe rhythm takes precedence in my musical
perceptions). All I can do is make a good attempt and report on the
results. When I see Tom Johnson use Simple, it goes faster than I
normally work - maybe faster than I think.
Chuck
Chuck,
When you try it be on the lookout for a few things; Rests, Tom's demos
usually don't include much in the way of rests and they can take an extra keystroke
when values change. A quarter rest, eighth rest eighth note, and half rest
can take up to seven keystrokes in SimpleNote instead of four in Speed.
Unintentionally entered notes. (Sometimes the manuscript, or the mail, can hit
the keys and enter notes when I'm not looking at the screen or aware of where
the entry caret is located. This may be more of a copyist concern but
occasionally I have to stop to check a note or chord in a manuscript and I like not
having to exit note entry to do it. I do recommend learning the re-pitch
feature, I use it from time to time. Simple Note can be very effective in certain
situations so it is worth the effort to familiarize yourself with it but I'm
still using Speedy for most of my work.
Tom J is just a well oiled machine! ;-)
Vince Leonard
www.finalebook.com
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