Re: Best support programs for Lilypond

[Richard Shann]

On Sun, 2016-03-06 at 07:46 -0600, David Wright wrote:
> On Sun 06 Mar 2016 at 12:06:51 (+0000), Richard Shann wrote:
> > On Sun, 2016-03-06 at 09:43 +0100, Martin Tarenskeen wrote:
> > > On Sun, 6 Mar 2016, Stan Mulder wrote:
> > > 
> > > > Just wondering how to achieve the best output with supporting programs 
> > > > when
> > > > working with Lilypond. I find Frescobaldi a huge leap forward in using
> > > > Lilypond. Frescobaldi increases productivity many times.
> > > >
> > > > Are there any other programs I should be using to speed the notation 
> > > > process?
> > > 
> > > Also you can use a GUI score editor like Finale, Sibelius, or, if you 
> > > like 
> > > many of us prefer free Open Source software, use MuseScore. Then you can 
> > > export as MusicXML, and then import this in Frescobaldi (uses 
> > > musicxml2ly). I find MuseScore easier/faster for composing and arranging 
> > > music, but frescobaldi/lilypond easier/faster to create publishing 
> > > quality 
> > > good looking scores.
> > 
> > I would be wary of any approach using MusicXML as a conversion format as
> > it is not a format well-suited to representing music notation. (Not as
> > unsuitable as MIDI, but still very poor). People have reported simply
> > being unable to import files due to variations in the interpretation of
> > the MusicXML "standard".
> 
> I wouldn't disagree with you there. However, in _my_ interpretation of
> the OP, I think MusicXML should be able to copy with transporting just
> the note pitches and durations

It indeed should be able, but MusicXML isn't well adapted to the task:
note durations are indicated in multiple ways and there is a timer that
can move backwards to indicate notes that are to be sounded at the same
time as other notes and the resulting spaghetti can be very difficult to
interpret. The result can be nothing read at all, or (as in the case
with Denemo's import at least) empty staffs to be deleted, redundant
time signatures to be deleted, or worse, time signatures to be guessed
and inserted.

>  from one's chosen fastest input method
> into LilyPond files for the actual typesetting.
> 
> Putting this interpretation on the OP, I omitted one of my methods
> which is not a supporting _program_, but none the less a great
> accelerator. My wife arranges music but is LP-illiterate. However, she
> is very proficient at typing LP's pitches and durations, one bar per
> line, and the basic lyrics, with very few mistakes, so that's where I
> get to start from.

That's good if you can combine a musician's and a typist's skills. If
you can play a MIDI instrument then Denemo lets you leverage that skill,
which you may find more pleasant to exercise.

Richard