Hello! This week we are expecting to see the release of MuseScore 4.2.1. It's a relatively minor release, but it fixes some rather annoying bugs in 4.2 and will definitely be recommended to install as soon as it becomes available. Mastering MuseScoreFor the ultimate guide to the world's most popular music notation software, see my online course Mastering MuseScore 4. MuseScore CaféThis week in the MuseScore Café with Marc Sabatella, we will look at MuseScore 4.2.1. Although not much has changed since 4.2, this also gives us a good opportunity to step back and see the big picture, with a tour of the whole program.
Tip of the WeekMuseScore adjusts the spacing between systems in your score automatically based on a number of style settings as well as on the actual content of your score. In this video post, I show how MuseScore optimizes this spacing to produce good results in most cases with no need to change anything, and I also show how to alter the one setting you might occasionally need to. Musicianship SkillsIf you want to learn more about music - theory, composition, improvisation, and more - become a Gold level member and receive access to all of our music courses as well as exclusive benefits like my weekly Office Hours. Music Master ClassThis week in the Music Master Class with Marc Sabatella, we'll do some ear training and look at more music submitted by Gold-level members for our SATB project.
In TheorySometimes it seems we spend more time in music theory learning what to avoid (e.g, parallel fifths) than what sounds good. In this video post, I show how Bach uses parallel thirds and sixths to great effect in a harmonized melody. |
Until next time, keep making music! c/o ConvertKit, 113 CHERRY ST #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205 |
My name is Marc Sabatella, and I am the founder of Outside Shore Music - a pioneer of online music education since the dawn of the web. As the creator of Mastering MuseScore, A Jazz Improvisation Primer, and other resources, I have dedicated most of my life to helping as many musicians as I can. Subscribe to my free newsletter for MuseScore tips, theory insights, and more information on how to create your best music!
Hello! This week we continue our focus on melody in the Musicianship Workshop space. If you'd like to join us for this month-long exploration of melody, please become a Gold-level member of the Outside Shore Music community, then pop over to the workshop to see what we're up to and get started! Mastering MuseScore If you are interested in getting the most out of the world's most popular music notation software, join our community with a Mastering MuseScore membership for the most...
Hello! This month I am introducing a new theme for us to focus on: melody. This is an area of study that often gets short-changed in educational settings. I assume that's because it's hard to talk objectively about what makes a good melody. There are fewer "rules" to follow than for chord progressions, and there is also correspondingly more incentive to make your melody unique. So in many cases, people are left to fend for themselves in terms of composing melodies. The one area of my...
Hello! This week we will wrap up our summer focus on orchestration and listen to more of the final projects members have submitted. Starting in September, we will be changing gears to look at another topic - to be announced - that I think many of you will find at least as interesting and useful!In other news: the music notation software Finale - for many years the leading program of its kind (and what I used for many years before MuseScore) - is being discontinued. The company that produces...