I use Sibelius also.

Here's the deal, Sibelius is a wonderful Music Notation program. Kinda not so wonderful at playback, but the kind of playback it does do is useful for checking you work and that's about it.

Band in a Box is a wonderful Autoaccompaniment program. Kinda just okay as a music notation program, but the quick note entry method makes it my first goto when all that is needed is a quick fake chart.

Just two different tools for different jobs IMO.

But I'm the kinda mechanic who won't hesitate to use the other end of the ratchet handle as a small ball peen hammer sometimes, right?

Actually, my friend, if I had known that you could find "GOOD" MIDI file examples of those hymns, I would have told you -- and likely provided a hotlink. I went thru looking for such at one time, disappointment reigned.

Nothing like the Source, though, those old printed hymnals are invaluable sight reading aids. And, will prepare you better for what you are more likely to find "out there in the real world" right? Likely to be print and paper, no built in metronome, no highlighted notes.

Don't neglect playing those keyboards by ear as well. I think it requires a certain amount of both skills to become a good reader. There are many times when I'm called to play an accompaniment off of some sheet for a singer, maybe a wedding, maybe in a church, club, wherever, and I often won't play the oversimplified drivel that is actually written on the page more than the first time through anyway, preferring to add the kind of accompaniment and embellishment that both better fit the singer and says, "pro pianist" at the same time. If you Nashville, then you already know more than most readers. Use it. And if you're still in Nashville now, look up Beegie Adair and ask her for some piano tips. Really.


--Mac

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