Here's the deal: I have never written music using a computer before so... I have a keyboard, midi usb cable and I downloaded overture, the music notation program....now what? How do I exactly begin to write music? am I suppose the sync the keyboard to my computer somehow?? I'm so confused. :(

ps. suggestion on other free notation writing programs would be really cool too.

Thanks guys

1. Check Device Manager to see if there are any yellow question marks in the USB section. If there are, then you need to download a driver from your said keyboard's website and install it.

2. Make sure the music notation software supports midi input. If it does, go in the options and set the "midi in" to your said keyboard.

3. If you're planning on recording in real time, you need to install ASIO4ALL, and the notation software must support ASIO. If not then you don't have to.

Not a stupid question at all! :P You actually don't HAVE to use your keyboard, you can just click in notes, which might end up being easier.

As for program suggestions, I would say printmusic (http://www.finalemusic.com/PrintMusic/) is good for anyone on a budget. It's not free though, I think it's like, $100. It is cheaper than most other music software, and is probably going to be alot better for writing music than the free programs.

1. Check Device Manager to see if there are any yellow question marks in the USB section. If there are, then you need to download a driver from your said keyboard's website and install it.

2. Make sure the music notation software supports midi input. If it does, go in the options and set the "midi in" to your said keyboard.

3. If you're planning on recording in real time, you need to install ASIO4ALL, and the notation software must support ASIO. If not then you don't have to.

This makes me glad I have a mac now, no more of this crazy driver business.

Anyways if you are comfortable on the keyboard it's better to use it to enter notes. The best way would be, once you get it hooked up, to choose the note value you want and then hit the note on the key board (It's easier if you have a smaller keyboard you can put in front of you) rather than using the real time entry. If the keyboard is not exactly your most familiar instrument then mouse (or trackpad) is the way to go.

This makes me glad I have a mac now, no more of this crazy driver business.

Anyways if you are comfortable on the keyboard it's better to use it to enter notes. The best way would be, once you get it hooked up, to choose the note value you want and then hit the note on the key board (It's easier if you have a smaller keyboard you can put in front of you) rather than using the real time entry. If the keyboard is not exactly your most familiar instrument then mouse (or trackpad) is the way to go.

Virtual keyboard clicking is the WORST for sequencing. But you're referring to notation aren’t you ahaha.

What is virtual keyboard clicking? To select the value of a note then hitting the key and repeating the same slow process?

I remember day ago I turned on my old PC which has Finale, and don't have my keyboard hooked up to it and was a pain to type the music by clicking with the mouse! lol I started like that years ago though.

What is virtual keyboard clicking? To select the value of a note then hitting the key and repeating the same slow process?

I remember day ago I turned on my old PC which has Finale, and don't have my keyboard hooked up to it and was a pain to type the music by clicking with the mouse! lol I started like that years ago though.

In sequencing you record stuff, but then you can edit it etc. But it's where you hit the record button and then use your mouse to hit a virtual 2ve piano on your screen. No velocity recognition, impossible to do anything fast or in time etc. It's just....yea. 'orrible.

Thanks for answering :D I'll give your suggestions a try, can anyone clarify: if I have the record button on my keyboard and say I record something on it, is there any way to directly transfer and edit it on the computer?? is there another program for that?? :s

Thanks for answering :D I'll give your suggestions a try, can anyone clarify: if I have the record button on my keyboard and say I record something on it, is there any way to directly transfer and edit it on the computer?? is there another program for that?? :s

Well, if it's done on a midi keyboard and you can store created files (compositions) on the keyboard, you might be able to transfer those stored files onto the computer, but it depends on your keyboard. Some older keyboard have floppy disc drives, which means you should be able to save a copy to a floppy disc and put it into your computer if the PC has a floppy drive. Or, if your keyboard can connect to your PC with USB, if you can find a sort of file sharing mode the keyboard can go into, you can access the stored memory on the keyboard from your PC that way. I hope this makes sense haha :P

In sequencing you record stuff, but then you can edit it etc. But it's where you hit the record button and then use your mouse to hit a virtual 2ve piano on your screen. No velocity recognition, impossible to do anything fast or in time etc. It's just....yea. 'orrible.

Clicking while recording is definitely a lost cause, but I find the computer keyboard (to piano keyboard) input is pretty useful if I want to input simple melodies or mix it up a bit (when I don't have access to an actual MIDI keyboard). Not too common of a feature though, I think (only exists in Garageband and Logic as far as I've experienced).

you can click notes on a keyboard with Finale. It just uses A, B, C, D, E, F and G for the notes rather than a linear set of keys like garage band. = is sharp (+ is double sharp) and - is flat (_ is double flat) and the number keys represent the note values from 8 (double whole note) to 1 (64th notes). You enter rests by choosing the value and pressing 0 it enter it. And you enter chords by selecting the note you want to put the chord on and enter the chord notes while holding shift (or you could enter the intervals to build a chord up, i.e. 33 for a root triad or 34 or 43 for either of the inversions). Of course I don't think anyone composes with a computer keyboard unless there was absolutely no other way. It's like the way that you can work a computer with just the keyboard but no one does it that way.