Sibelius 7 Music Notation Essentials (Avid Learning Series)

In its introduction, the book states, "This book is ideal for people who have never used Sibelius at all." Yup. It'll work that way -- but there's lots there for the Sibelius user who knows something about the software. Being tutorial-based, its approach to the various Sibelius functions is just enough different to make Notation Essentials a great adjunct to the Sibelius 7 Reference that comes with the software. The language in Notation Essentials is clear and easy to follow; it tells the reader what he or she can do with the software, while the Reference describes the features that the software offers. There's a difference, and it makes Notation Essentials the easier one to use if your question is "gee, how do I do that?"But being aimed at the beginning Sibelius user, it doesn't cover some of the more esoteric functions that Sibelius is capable of. That's not a complaint; Notation Essentials would be far too cumbersome if it attempted to describe everything Sibelius is capable of.

This is the official Sibelius 7 book, produced by Avid, who is the parent corporation of Sibelius. I've purchased two other Sibelius books (which I liked), but this is the by far the best book for Sibelius 7.The material is carefully explained by an expert teacher. The book has excellent readability, which includes printing in full color. Best of all, the companion website has video lessons for each book chapter, so learning via video is faster than reading.Recommendation: buy the book, view the videos on the companion website, and then consult the book if you have further questions.

First, don't get the wrong impression from the first review: the videos are available, although not at the location stated in the book.Simply close the spaces and go here to find all the videos: [...]Now that that's cleared up, let's consider the merits of the material.* In a Nutshell: "Sibelius 7 Music Notation Essentials" is project based, and the projects are organized to introduce you to the workings of Sibelius 7 in a cogent and thoughtful order that relates to workflows that you are likely to use. At the same time, it provides an organized overview of the features of Sibelius 7 that will be enormously valuable to new users and may also be useful to seasoned Sibelius users who want a leg up in exploring and using the new interface that centers around the Ribbon.* Navigation: The careful organization of the book has not been preserved in the navigation in the Kindle edition, which is limited to top level heads. Therefore, it's best to click on `Contents' to see how the book is set up.Here, for example, are the sections of Lesson 1: Amazing GraceBefore You Begin: Copying Course Files to Your ComputerMoving Around the ScoreExploring the Ribbon and the Status BarExploring PlaybackSimple EditingExploring the Ideas PanelExercise 1 Rearranging a ScoreIdeas to Get you Started* Organization: Each Lesson begins with the name of the piece that you work on to learn the elements of Sibelius covered in that lesson. There is a summary, a list of the media you'll need (all provided in the resources), an estimated duration, and a list of goals. The chapter concludes with Review/Discussion Questions, the answers to which are provided in Appendix C. Questions and Answers are linked to each other to facilitate checking. The questions are followed by a list of the keyboard shortcuts used in the chapter. In the exercise that follows, you apply what you've learned to another score (also provided). If you're not sure where to begin `Ideas to Get You Started' are provided to help you brainstorm.* Directions: Of course, working with this kind of book involves following many directions, and the directions given here are both clearly written and differentiated for Windows and Mac, as needed.* Instruction: Major instructional points are presented in text and video, so you can choose the approach that best suits your learning style. Each section that has a corresponding video is clearly marked.* Hints and Tip: Scattered through the book are tips from James and Hints from expert Sibelius users. One of these alone could save you hours of time.* On the Web: This section is used to provide links to online resources that may be of interest.* Bonus: The book doesn't require it, but James has included Appendix A: Elementary Music Theory for those who may be entering the world of music notation for the first time. If you could use some basics, or a refresher course in basic terminology and elements of music, this is a great place to start.* Scores: Scores are well-engraved, and the Agent Zero scores provide a taste of James's considerable skills as a composer.Full disclosure: I know James Humberstone personally, and we created the children's opera "Kiravanu" together: James is the composer and I am the librettist. Also, I created the structure and the majority of the content for the Worksheet Creator and am mentioned in Lesson 4.

I purchased the kind version of this book for a class. The class refers to page numbers in the physical book. the kindle book does not have the same page numbers, so when the teacher asks to read certain page numbers, I am lost...I looked and looked and have not found a way to switch to real page numbers in kindle.. It wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't connected to a class, but its a major problem.

This is an excellant course for learning Sibelius 7. It covers just about everything you need to effectively use the program. I believe this is the only book available that covers Sibelius Version 7 - whiich uses the new RIBBON type interface (like Office 2010).

- The book steps you through the various menus. Very similar to what I would expect with a "dummies" book for Sibelius.- Includes a CD with samples. The samples are used as part of the training in the text book.- It has a good index for looking up menu items and functions.- This book is a good companion to the software.

Sibelius 7's layout is different than previous versions, and it had really slowed me down. I have used Sibelius for a while, but never delved in enough to become a 'power user'. In my mind this book is getting me there; it does a great job of showing you real, regular, types of scenerios, and (by leading you through step by step) how to go deal with them most efficiently. After each of the main topics, it presents you with a 2nd scenario and gives you an opportunity to apply the skill you just worked through, which will help seed it into your working routine. Best book in the Notation/DAW area that I personally have used.

This is a FANTASTIC book, whether you are totally new to Sibelius or whether you (think you) are an expert! It takes you step by step with clear instruction and screen shots through all of the Sibelius functions, all in easily digestible portions! It is in an easy-to-read, quirky style. A CD is included and includes files for completing projects contained in the course.

I have not read the complete book yet but it looks very clear, but it is a shame the attached CD does not work with Mac, and that the book is not yet available to cope with version 7.5.1 of Sibelius. However the videos quoted in the book are on line and the web address spells Sibelius incorrectly in the web address stated in the book due to a mis-print, only a minor matter but never-the-less troublesome, in finding the web page if you don't notice it! There are some superbly clear lessons by Mr Humberstone on Sibelius 6 which I hope to rely on more than the book! --this chap can teach!It is not clear from the Avid web site whether Sibelius itself is on 7.5.1 (which is where I am up to ), - or 7.5.3 which at one place on the site is quoted!--but this does not detract from the fact that a lot of things are as yet unclear to a Sibelius beginner like me. The book needs to be revised to include PhotoScore Ultimate as well as PhotoScore Lite, - and possibly concentrate on trying to explain these rather than try to get beginners to fit the music to films, which would not be normally the sort of thing a beginner would be aiming for immediately. Perhaps this could be put in yet another and more advanced book? -I look forward to his updated version of this book, -if this is to be done?

Like one of the other reviewers, I have been using Sibelius for about 15 years now, but I never learned it in a systematic way. I could do almost everything that I wanted, but not in the most efficient way. The very thorough explanations in this book were often more than I needed, but I picked up some very useful tips for working more effectively.It is an introduction to the basics, and for many people it might be all that they ever need, but the reviewer who said that it "covers everything" is wrong; there are huge numbers of exotic features in Sibelius which most users will never need, but which are very important for some kinds of music, so some people will need the full reference manual as well. This is huge and expensive in printed form, but everything in it seems to appear as well in the online help provided with the package.

Date: 25th July 2014.This book is probably very good for those familiar with later versions of Sibelius 7. However, for anyone new to this software (like myself, having been used to the old Acorn Risc OS Floppy-disc set), unless he / she is a very fast learner, with plenty of much-needed time, then I feel this book would serve little purpose.I found basic instructions - for example, entering notes on staves - needlessly complicated and poorly organised. Clear, concise, "by the numbers" task-lists were conspicuous by their absence apart from some keyboard "short-cuts" at the ends of each section.My criticisms could go on but it does seem that the opportunity to produce a really useful, concise AND COGENT manual was missed. Does such a book or pamphlet exist? If so, please advise.

Not for beginners but would be a help to someone with a little more experience.

I feel somewhat overwhelmed by all the data in this book. Not being able to read music is a problem for me - but I do feel this is helping me to get to grips with understanding the complexities of music. I am beginning to find I can now put down on 'text' what I am hearing in my head. A steep learning curve but a challenge for an ageing brain (nearing 75 years). I can recommend this for anyone wishing to push themselves into new musical challenges.