Guitar Pro

1. Guitar Pro A alternative to Finale and Sibelius

2. Disclaimer • This program’s guitar-centricity renders it much less accessible. • I am not a expert at Finale yet, so all assertions as to the efficacy of Finale are to the best of my knowledge. • The merits of this program are to be judged with respect to its power as a MIDI file creator, not as a powerful notation program.

3. Pros • Tracks • Add, Subtract, or Change a track at will. • Use this feature to transpose. • Add effects that change gradually. • Solo or Mute tracks. • Change midi sound easily.

4. Pros (cont.) • Compare to Finale. • Each of these things take more clicks than Guitar Pro. • This is a serious draw back when entering music quickly.

5. Pros (cont.) • Add details to single notes and change the over all sound of the track. • Change panning, volume, instrument, or tempo by the note. • Add articulations and ornamentations with a single click. • Very effective guitar effects (e.g. bends)

6. Entering Notes • In tab, simply use up, down, right, left to choose string and position. • Use plus and minus arrows to choose rhythmic value. • In notation up, down, left and right to choose note and placement.

7. Compare to Finale • Change note value by using the number keys. • Change placement by using arrows but cursor sometimes needs to be adjusted to be on a note at all. Guitar Pro cursor is always on a note, and always on the screen.

8. Cons • Uses only just tab or tab and notation. • Notation is much less detailed. • Relates to guitar (so only 6 notes at a time etc.) • Not nearly as powerful when it comes to making printed music.

9. Conclusion • While it does not approach the capabilities of Finale in creating scores, it is much easier to compose music at.