|
Overture Notation Software
Notation Software for Your
Classroom
While a lot of schools
have music composition classes and some have integrated computers into
the music room, many have not combined the two. But, with large classes
and B&O directors having their hands full much of the time, a
program that allows for music notation on computer can save valuable
time. One such program, Overture
by Cakewalk, has had a long period of development.
But first, a little
history. Cakewalk, a provider of music and sound creation software,
announced the release of the Windows version of Overture at last
summer's NAMM show in Nashville. The product was previously available
only on the Macintosh platform. The introduction of the Windows version
followed Cakewalk's April 1998 announcement that they had acquired
Overture from its original developer, Don Williams, and that Williams
had joined the Cakewalk development team.
"Our goal is to
provide all composers with professional music notation software that's
as easy to use as a word processor," said Jim Rippie, product
manager for Overture. "We think the original Overture for the
Macintosh solved the ease-of-use objective. The new Overture for Windows
and Mac OS makes this ease of use available to nearly everyone with a
personal computer."
Overture can be used to
produce complete orchestral arrangements, lead sheets, individual cues
or even simple notation examples for a lesson plan. The software's
"intuitive" interface has editing tools and symbol palettes
that help the user spend time composing music instead of searching
through menus. Extensive text handling functions make it easy to add or
edit lyrics, page text, floating text, measure text and rehearsal marks.
Overture lets users
enter notes on-screen with a mouse or computer keyboard, or record a
MIDI performance with any MIDI instrument for instant viewing. Since
Overture can read and write standard MIDI files, when you create a
notation piece, you are also creating a MIDI file that can be played
aloud for "proof-listening."
The program has tape
deck-style transport controls, as well as punch-in/punch-out recording
options. The program allows for MIDI playback of all dynamics, repeats
and endings. Editing of note duration, attack times, key velocity, and
pitch bend lets the user fine tune parts note by note if necessary.
Editing of these controllers and also program change data can be
accomplished without leaving the notation environment.
B&O department
heads who are involved in the production of instructional materials
might want to include a few measures from a larger piece in a textbook
example, test brochure or multimedia presentation. This task can be
accomplished simply by clicking and dragging the mouse to select any
section of the score, then capturing it as a separate file. The data can
be saved as either a
PICT or an EPS file and
imported into any publishing program.
Notating drum parts can
be difficult for some composers. Overture makes this task quite a bit
easier. By using a MIDI percussion instrument, the parts can be played
into the software at a slow speed and then edited for accuracy. Overture
will remap notes from the entire range of the MIDI instrument onto a
five line percussion staff. To make the chart more readable, the number
of staff lines that are used to display the part can be reduced.
For string instruments,
Overture has tablature capabilities. The software allows for fixed or
floating positions, finger span, alternative tunings, and capo
positions. Transposition of fret position number from string to string
is automatic. Bends and other useful markings are supported, along with
adjustable font, staff, and note stem sizing.
Overture also includes
complete tools for guitar notation. One helpful feature is the ability
to permanently attach symbols to notes. An example of this would be a
"bend" symbol placed over a note, With the symbol permanently
attached to the notes, you can move the note anywhere along the staff
and the bend symbol will follow the note. Guitar notations include
finger articulations, hammer ons, tapping, rotateable and stretchable
"bend" articulations with 25 adjustable quarter tone steps (+3
to -3 whole tones), tremolo marking, vibrato, barre at fret number, and
others.
Overture offers a wide
variety of jazz articulations including lift, slide (pick scrape), rip,
wah wah, fall off, spill, stab, flip, smear, bend, dolt, plop, wow wow,
and shake. You can also create your own expression library with
unlimited entries.
The program lets the
user assign the name, font, style, playback parameters and more. A fully
editable expression palette is included, with definable font, font size,
font style, line type, end cap, extract on all part selection, and hide
in print selection. MIDI users can assign play back parameters to the
expression markings via tempo, patch, and controller values.
The biggest difference
former users of Overture will notice since it has come under the
Cakewalk (now GenieSoft) banner is an increase in the availability of
technical support. "We're taking Cakewalk's strategy of delivering
high-quality, affordable products and applying it to the very important
notation market," said Tom Cook, president and CEO of Cakewalk.
"This is a long-term commitment. Cakewalk's leading market share
gives us the resources to aggressively develop Overture, as well as back
it with extensive technical support."
|