I've used Encore for about 15 years. Encore was one of the original MIDI starlets, and had many first-to-market features. Now as then, it surpasses other applications in ease of use. Created by MIDI innovator Passport Designs, today Encore is in good hands at the new Gvox and is rapidly rivaling today's industry leaders.

     Gvox and Encore are at www.gvox.com

I've used several notation programs for transcribing, composing, and publishing music. Encore ranks in the top five offerings, yet it’s far easier to use than industry leaders Finale or Sibelius, and its printed scores are just as appealing. Finale and Sibelius are geared toward professional music engravers, but users pay the price of a steep learning curve, an awkward interface, and sometimes staunch inflexibility.

Encore delivers 90% to 95% of the high end features, but in a much friendlier manner. Due to its ease of use, it appeals to the large audience of amateur and semi-professional markets. It scored a "bronze medal" in 2007 at http://music-notation-software-review.toptenreviews.com

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The following list includes many of the other contenders:

      - Encore - http://www.Gvox.com
      - Finale - http://www.finalemusic.com
      - Harmony Assistant & Melody Assistant - http://www.myriad-online.com (Myriad)
      - Lilypond - http://lilypond.org
      - MIDINotate http://www.notation.com
      - Mozart - http://www.mozart.co.uk
      - MusEdit - http://www.musedit.com
      - Music Publisher - http://www.braeburn.co.uk (Braeburn)
      - Nightengale - http://www.ngale.com (Adept Music Notation Solutions)
      - NoteWorthy Composer - http://www.noteworthysoftware.com
      - Overture - http://www.geniesoft.com
      - Personal Composer - http://www.pcomposer.com
      - Score - http://www.scoremus.com
      - Sibelius - http://www.sibelius.com

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Here's a list of Tablature and ABC oriented notation applications:

      - BarFly - http://www.barfly.dial.pipex.com
      - GuitarPro - http://www.guitar-pro-com
      - PowerTab - http://www.power-tab.net
      - TablEdit - http://www.tabledit.com
      - The ABC Music Project - http://abc.sourceforge.net


More information at: http://ace.acadiau.ca/score/others.htm#V

This page last updated: 12-5-05