New in Noteflight 2.10

We’ve just released the latest version of Noteflight with some new features that our users have long been asking for. Here are some highlights of what’s new:

• Scores may now be placed into named collections that function as an organizing mechanism. (This feature is available for Crescendo only). A score can belong to any number of collections.
• Users belonging to multiple Noteflight sites can now freely copy scores between their accounts.
• New music notation features: Barline breaks, arpeggios, tremolos have been added. In Crescendo only, multi-measure rests are now available.
• The forums are now searchable: use the search box at the top of any forum page.
• Users can now change their own email addresses.

Behind the Notation: Instrument Transposition

While using Noteflight, perhaps you have wondered: "why can't I make the key signature different in my clarinet part?" Or perhaps you clicked “Add Part” or “Change Instrument” in the Staff menu, and you wondered about the popup window that appears, with its three options: Instrument key, Instrument octave, and Score octave. This article explores the reasons behind these options, and shows how to use them in your scores. Read more...

Featured Noteflight User: Music Teacher Vince Demarro

Earliest musical memory: Music was always present in my home growing up. We were either singing or making music one way or the other. I have very clear memories of my older brother playing guitar for me when I was quite young.

Instrument of choice: Tuba and Bass. I have always had an affinity toward low sounding instruments and I am grateful that my elementary band director saw that and guided me to the tuba. I learned electric bass while serving as a Marine Field Musician and that just opened up my personal music experiences that much more.

I am inspired by: Music’s ability to convey emotion without the use words. Think about how music touches the very fiber of our being from sad to happiness. Music reaches every corner of souls.

Favorite Composer: I am not sure if I have a favorite composer, I have many which span the centuries. I guess the best question for me is “what am I listening to on my iphone today”? I get fired up listening to Gabrelli, Holst, Bach, Beethoven, Sting, Louie Armstrong, John Coltrane, and the list goes on.

Favorite Musician: Denis DiBlasio! What a great musician. If you have ever listened to this man play, I am sure you will agree. The energy and artistry Denis produces from performing is inspiring.

How I use Noteflight: As a high school music educator, I use Noteflight as a teaching tool which allows me to provide a great music writing program to all my students at an affordable price. One of the most important aspects of Noteflight for me is that it is web based. Students can use it both at school and at home.

I currently teach Band, Music Theory, and AP Music Theory and I have all my students on Noteflight Classroom. All band students have access and use the Noteflight site as an aid in learning their concert music. A band student can write in their trouble spot and play along or just listen. My music theory and AP Theory students use Noteflight every day in class and all homework is assigned through Noteflight. We use Noteflight for theory tests as well.

I have my computer attached to my smart-board (you can also use an LCD projector) that allows me to pull up and project each student’s Noteflight score during class so we can make real-time corrections or allow the students to present their work.

Noteflight score: my student Michael Pacifico's Rondo For Piano (provided with permission). This is an example of our work at school.

Introducing Notestar: brought to you by Noteflight and Yamaha

When Yamaha decided to develop an innovative sheet music app for the iPad, they asked Noteflight to help. The result is Notestar: a new advanced sheet music application for the iPad that features Noteflight viewing technology. NoteStar provides a hands-free, flowing transcription of keyboard sheet music that is synchronized with professionally recorded audio backing tracks that allows you to play along as though you are in the band. The app offers a selection of note sizes and layout options as well as playback control features and metronome support. Notestar has an extensive library of popular songs available for purchase within the application. One free song download is included with online registration. NoteStar is available from the App Store as a free download.

Talk to us!

Please tell us about how you're using Noteflight to collaborate and share music with others, so we can let everyone know about your ideas and experiences in future newsletters. Send us an email at: info@noteflight.com. You can always find us on Facebook and Twitter too. Thanks for reading, and keep on making music!

Yours,
Joe Berkovitz
President
Noteflight