Re: (no subject)

[Glen Prideaux]

richard tocce wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have this desire ot remove Windows form my computer and run entirely 
> with GNU/LINUX. What keeps me "hooked" in to Windows is one program: 
> Finale by Coda Music.  I was very happy to happen on to your web 
> page.  I've downloaded the Windows version of Lilypond and to be 
> frank, haven't been able to get past the first command -- I was never 
> very good at DOS.  My question is, does Lilypond have the same 
> capabilities as Finale and does it always operate with DOS commands?  
> Also, Finale lets me input music (note pitches) with a MIDI keyboard;  
> the quantitative values of the notes or chord are esblished with the 
> number pad.  For example I can hold down a C7 chord on the piano and 
> strike the #7; the notation will place a C,E,G,Bb in whole notes in 
> the score.  Does Lilypond have a similar function? I am open to trying 
> new things and believe in the GNU philosophy. 
>
> Best regards,  Rick Tocce
Dear Richard,

I've never used Finale, so I can't compare it with Lilypond. But if what 
you need is fine printed music then Lilypond is hard to beat.

Lilypond is entirely text oriented. There are graphical front ends, but 
these are separate projects to Lilypond. If you're looking to move 
entirely to a GNU/Linux system you will probably need to become more 
familiar with command line operation, since many of the essential 
components of the operating system expect to be used this way.

Lilypond can convert a MIDI, but not take input directly from a MIDI 
keyboard as you describe.

Most Lilypond users, including myself, are of the opinion that it is 
faster to input the code directly into the file rather than use any 
other form of input.

The upshot is that it takes a bit of time to learn to use Lilypond ... 
much more than it would for a GUI based application ... but once you 
have mastered it, you can produce finer sheet music faster.

Glen