R.I.P. Finale 😭

by Don Chapman

10.02.24

Update: After playing around with Musecscore I’m shocked to find it won’t allow you to play the music into the score in real time with your keyboard! WHAT!

In my 24 year old version of Finale (Finale 2000) as well as the latest version, this function is called “hyperscribe.” You start a click and begin playing the music – Finale transcribes it for you (I use the pedal click mode – pressing the foot pedal is the click.) All music notation software does this but Musescore… doesn’t!

However, Musescore created a poll for Finale users to find out what functions they can’t live without and one of the questions was about hyperscribe. Then on X I asked Tantacrul for a hint as to whether Musescore is considering a hyperscribe function and he liked my post!

As of right now I’m not going to do anything differently and will continue creating Hymncharts scores in Finale. Before I make my final(e) decision I’ll wait on two things:

1. Will Musescore implement hyperscribe.
2. Will Dorico or Musescore figure out a way to directly open Finale .mus files (I’m not holding my breath but if one of them did this it would be game over – every Finale user would migrate to that platform.)

09.23.24

I’ll update this article as I figure things out. In the meantime, please comment below – what do you think? Which software do you want to replace Finale?

I am in SHOCK!

I can’t believe that the supposed “industry standard” in music notation is ceasing to exist. I started using Finale 24 years ago at my first worship leader job. I started with Finale 2000 and still use that same software to this day, working perfectly, on Windows 11!

All that to say, I think Finale will be around a lot longer than you think. However, it wouldn’t hurt to start planning ahead 🙂

My Journey with Finale: From Liberty University to Hymncharts

Years ago when I was guest lecturing at Liberty University, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet famed arranger Don Marsh. Back then the debate was: which is better – Finale or Sibelius? He told me publishers required that his arrangements needed to be created with Finale, so that settled the matter for me (and Hymncharts.)

MakeMusic initially announced at the end of August that they’d cease all updates on their notation products (Finale, PrintMusic, Notepad, Songwriter) and by the end of August 2025 you will no longer be able to authorize your copies on a new computer!

What a trash company! For the past few years MakeMusic has left a bad taste in people’s mouths, from lack of bug fixes to no modern implementation (there’s still no way to embed files in a web page or view with phone apps?) Finale users on forums and Youtube have been losing their minds, and with good reason. Many people and companies (including me) have decades of Finale files with no easy exit strategy.

After what probably was a torrent of backlash they relented, and now the company says that it will be possible to reauthorize Finale even after August 26, 2025 and that authorization will remain active “for the foreseeable future”. (That’s one plus of using 24 year old software – it requires NO authorization, just a code LOL!)

MakeMusic encourages Finale users to switch to competing software, Dorico, and even offers a discount.

So where does that leave you, me, and Hymncharts? I’m not sure yet, but here’s what I’m thinking so far.

Dorico’s Lukewarm Reception of Finale Users

Dorico seems to be falling short in my view. While they offer some Finale-like features, the enthusiasm just isn’t there. A forum user claims Steinberg “did absolutely nothing” to help Finale users onboard, beyond a price break and a few tutorial videos. Even a Dorico developer admitted they have “prior commitments” and couldn’t drop everything to accommodate Finale users, adding that their forum is a great place to get help. It’s clear their focus is elsewhere, and it feels like Finale users are more of an afterthought than a priority. (After I gleefully chirped on the forum after that response I guess I’ll just start with MuseScore, the developer did admit they are “delighted” to welcome Finale users.)

MuseScore’s Enthusiasm for Finale Users

MuseScore has really impressed me with their genuine enthusiasm for Finale users. Unlike Dorico, which seems too busy to fully welcome new customers, MuseScore is going all out. Martin “Tantacrul” Keary, the head of design for Muse Group, shared, “We recognize the need to put concerted effort into making the transition from Finale smoother,” and it’s clear they mean business. They’re not just adapting workflows, but developing a whole ‘Finale profile’ to make the switch seamless.

Interesting… Dorico is, as of this writing, half off at $289.99, while the people producing the free Musescore are the ones eager to welcome Finale users…

Plus, they’ve even prioritized accurate MusicXML imports (see video below), making it clear that they’re ready to help Finale users make the leap. It feels like MuseScore actually wants us there, not like we’re just an afterthought.

Here’s a Youtube video that shows how Musescore’s XML import is superior to Dorico’s:

I don’t have a dog in this fight, I just want to pick the best software to pick up where Finale left off. I’ll play with both and whichever one is easiest for me (and by extension, you) I’ll go with that one!

Why Is MuseScore Free?

You might be wondering, “How can MuseScore offer software like that for free?” Well, this is where it gets interesting! Turns out, MuseScore’s parent company, Muse, is now the biggest sheet music publisher on the planet after acquiring Hal Leonard in early 2024. They’re not just doing this out of the goodness of their hearts – MuseScore is actually crucial to their business model. They need top-notch notation software to keep their sheet music sales booming on platforms like Sheet Music Direct. Plus, they’re aiming to create a universal sheet music format. No more compatibility nightmares!

But here’s the key point: by making MuseScore free and open-source, they’re building a massive ecosystem of musicians and composers. It’s a win-win – we get awesome free software, and they get a thriving community that feeds back into their business. And don’t worry about MuseScore suddenly disappearing – its open-source license means the code is out there for anyone to use and modify.

Finale, are you listening? I ain’t no coder, but from what I understand, an open-source Finale would enable developers to figure out how to perfectly open Finale files in their software. Maybe the geniuses at MuseScore are figuring someething out as we speak.

PraiseCharts’ Transition to Dorico: A New Wrinkle in the Debate

Another wrinkle in this episode: now PraiseCharts announces their transition to Dorico. They’re moving away from Finale, assuring their users it’s the right call for the future. They’ve carefully considered the move and will fully transition by next year, citing Dorico’s versatility and accuracy. With a back catalog of over 20,000 Finale files, there’s a massive undertaking ahead.

My Final Considerations: What’s Best for Hymncharts?

Frankly, I’m leaning towards Musescore. It’s free and is available on Windows, Mac, Linux (!), Android and iPhone. But Praisechart’s decision has given me pause. My ultimate decision will rest on these two things:

1. What do Hymncharts customers need? True, some of you have full orchestras and edit my Finale files quite heavily to accommodate your particular instrumental setup. But I think those users are few and far between. Most subscribers just want a way to quickly change the key to fit their worship leader’s vocal range. Finale was woefully weak in this regard as their free Notepad was Windows only, and would not transpose properly if the arrangement had a key change. Another option is the XML format might make both MuseScore and Dorico users happy.

Imagine opening Hymncharts sheet music on your Android, iPhone or iPad. I wonder if these apps let you transpose the music as well?

2. Which software is easier to use? I won’t know until I roll up my sleeves and dig in. I’ll start with Musescore and I’ll know pretty quickly if it’ll work or not.

An AI Overview

I dumped a bunch of forum info into ChatGPT and had it summarize the sentiments:

Me: Any info in that big forum dump I gave you about schools using Musescore?

ChatGPT: Universities appear to be increasingly adopting MuseScore, largely due to its cost (free) and ease of use. Several forum users mentioned that MuseScore is likely to become the standard in academic settings, especially with its recent updates to improve playback and its user-friendly interface.

MuseScore’s open-source nature and zero cost make it highly attractive for educational institutions, where budget constraints are often a concern. Additionally, its growing feature set and integration of high-quality playback libraries, like the Berlin Philharmonic, provide a compelling alternative to more expensive software like Finale or Dorico.

However, Dorico is still in use at universities, particularly in music programs focused on professional composition, orchestration, and advanced notation work. Dorico’s flexibility and powerful engraving tools make it suitable for programs emphasizing detailed score preparation for professional work. Many users in the forum pointed out that Dorico’s capabilities align well with professional music production and advanced coursework.

Dorico Pros:

1. Professional Quality: Users highlight Dorico’s robust engraving and layout capabilities, making it a strong option for professional score production.
2. Customization: There is significant customization potential, including articulations, dynamics, and special notations. However, mastering Dorico takes time, especially for those coming from Finale.
3. Powerful Features: Users praise Dorico for its flexibility with features like pitch before duration entry, which mimics Finale’s Speedy Entry mode, and for allowing free time measures.
4. Note Performer: Some users recommend NotePerformer as a solution to audio engine issues, suggesting it improves performance speed and simplicity for orchestral sketching.

Dorico Cons:

1. Steep Learning Curve: Many forum users emphasize the difficulty of switching from Finale’s workflow to Dorico. Certain operations, like importing XML, setting up expression maps, and learning new shortcuts, frustrate long-time Finale users.
2. Complex Audio Integration: Users complain about slow load times due to VST scanning and find Dorico’s audio engine less intuitive compared to Finale. While it offers great control, the complexity can be overwhelming for simpler needs.
3. Limited Playback: Dorico’s playback system, particularly when using VSTs, is often seen as convoluted. Users argue that the reliance on expression maps and a less intuitive playback system makes it harder to achieve high-quality results compared to DAWs or MuseScore.

MuseScore Pros:

1. Ease of Use: MuseScore is favored for its simplicity and fast learning curve. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, making it an attractive option for those transitioning from Finale.
2. Playback: MuseScore’s playback engine is highlighted as a major advantage, offering great sound quality out of the box with minimal effort. The addition of high-quality libraries like the Berlin Philharmonic adds to its appeal.
3. Free: The fact that MuseScore is free is seen as a big advantage, particularly for students and institutions. It’s noted that MuseScore is aggressively evolving and will likely dominate due to its affordability and accessibility.
4. Finale Interface: MuseScore’s efforts to integrate a familiar interface for Finale users has been well received, making the transition easier for those with years of Finale muscle memory.

MuseScore Cons:

1. Not Yet Fully Pro: Some users feel that MuseScore lacks the refinement of Dorico when it comes to professional-grade engraving and customization, though it’s rapidly improving.
2. Walled Garden: MuseScore has limited support for third-party VSTs, and users mention that it can be restrictive in terms of customizing playback beyond its built-in capabilities.

Final Decision Factors:

• Customization Needs: If you need professional-grade score engraving and are willing to tackle a steeper learning curve, Dorico might be the better choice.
• Ease of Use and Playback: If simplicity and better out-of-the-box playback are more important, MuseScore could be the ideal transition, especially with its free offering.

You may want to test both to see which better suits your specific workflow and needs.

At the end of the day, my decision isn’t just about what works best for me—it’s about what serves my Hymncharts subscribers best. I’m leaning towards MuseScore for its flexibility, openness, and dedication to making life easier for Finale users, but I’m still exploring options. I’ll make sure whichever tool I choose continues to deliver the quality you expect. I’ll keep this post updated with more insights and my final decision as I dig deeper into both programs. Stay tuned – and give me any feedback below!