Sibelius notation software: tips and tricks
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: MK621
Duration: 2 sessions (over 2 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is for those with some existing skills in Sibelius to learn how to use more advanced functions under the guidance of an expert tutor. You will learn how to create high quality scores with greater efficiency and some of the more advanced features of the software.¿You will need access to Sibelius version 6 or higher (Mac or Windows) and ideally a MIDI keyboard. Sibelius First is not suitable as it does not contain many of the more sophisticated functions. See our Music technology: equipment advice page for information.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- using edit filters, multiple voices, and quick note entry methods
- maximising layout in scores and parts
- creating bespoke context menus and keyboard shortcuts
- plugins for various functions
- find out about particular functions required by your own projects e.g. chord symbols, transposing instruments, arrange, contemporary notation symbols etc.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- edit your scores and parts efficiently
- create publishable quality scores and parts
- have greater insight into the more advanced functionality in Sibelius
- create and export Sibelius scores to a variety of formats.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for music students, musicians and music teachers wanting to improve their skills and efficiency in using Sibelius to prepare and prints scores, parts and audio files.
You need knowledge of music theory and notation, and confidence in using the basic functions of Sibelius (creating scores, inputting notation, assigning instrument sounds, familiarity with the main toolkit, keypad layouts, text types). You may have completed one of our introductory Sibelius: music notation software courses, or learned the basics elsewhere.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor demonstration and explanation, class discussion, followed by practical work.
Practical work on individual projects. You will present work in progress and receive feedback and support from your tutor and peers.
You will make best progress if you can work on your projects between sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need a computer (Mac or Windows) running Sibelius version 6 or higher (Mac or Windows) and ideally a MIDI keyboard. Sibelius First is not suitable as it does not contain many of the more sophisticated functions. Visit our Music technology: equipment advice page for more detailed information about hardware and software, so that you can ensure you have everything you need before you enrol.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Your skills with Sibelius will be useful in course such as Music theory, Composition, Songwriting.
Selena began her musical career as a composer, gaining a Dutch Government scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory, The Hague with Louis Andriessen. As a student she won numerous prizes including BBC Young Composers, resulting in a commission for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Radio 3 broadcasts. She has wide musical interests ranging from Renaissance counterpoint and the origins of tonality to twentieth-century composition techniques and electronic music. Selena performs in an experimental electronic music duo KOGG with Cerys Hogg. They create music by sampling vocals, sound objects, and home-made instruments, combining composed and improvised material. They have performed live and are producing an album. Selena has a keen interest in music pedagogy, particularly the social and cognitive benefits of music education, and is a specialist Kodály practitioner. She is also advisor in further education for the British Kodály Academy. Selena holds BMus (Hons), MMus and PGCE degrees, has held positions at Goldsmiths and Middlesex University and currently teaches at City Lit and Morley College.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
