Using the free Finale Notepad 2008 to transpose, edit, save or print

Recently, a friend of mine asked about transposing or working with Finale files without needing to purchase the commercial version.  I figured, since I already did some of the legwork, I could make a post about it, so here goes:

Finale Notepad 2008 gives you the ability to import and export Midi files, and to open and save all Finale files from prior or current versions.  In addition, you are given access to some simple tools to edit scores before saving or printing them. You can also print pages to PDF.  

What kind of people could use Finale Notepad 2008?  Well, if you happen to come across a Finale 2008 file that you want to use, then Finale Notepad will let you open it and print it.  If you find a Finale 2006 file that you want to turn into a PDF so that you can send it to a colleague, then Finale Notepad 2008 will let you do that.  And if you find a Finale file online from basically any version you can think of, and you want to transpose it up a fourth so that it can be performed by Brass quintet, then you can do that as well.  It’s completely free. 

The idea, of course, is that you will be so enthralled by the capabilities of Notepad, that you will want to upgrade to the commercial version. There are 2 problems though: 1) Downloading Notepad requires that you create an account - and that you give a valid email address and fill out some survey and 2) You can’t purchase an upgrade online.  It’s a win-win situation, because the Finale people get some free advertising and information on their user base, and you get the ability to work with Finale files without paying an arm and a leg for the commercial version.  

Transposing a score with Finale Notepad 2008

Finale Notepad 2008 is not a substitute for its commercial cousin, but it is useful for people who aren’t Finale users, but who want to make simple edits to a Finale file before sending it onward, or using it themselves.  It is like the musical equivalent of Acrobat Acrobat, allowing users to send each other musical documents for the purpose of editing and/or usage.  Notepad 2008 has been overhauled and improved. Check it out here:

Finale Notepad 2008

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