MuseScore

A French Horn isn't usually part of a Jazz Band; but over the past 15+ years I have been playing with Linton Jazz.  This has meant that someone has had to 'transpose' music (mostly from the 1st trombone part) which means changing the key signature, writing new notes and creating and printing out an entirely  new part.

In the beginning it was Steve Inglis using software called Sibelius which, after I'd been there a couple of years (oblivious to the fact he was doing all that work), he showed me how to use.  However, it was expensive and since I only used it once a year for the new pieces, I found it a real struggle to remember what to do each time.  

And at that time, I had small children and couldn't remember how to use the wretched software each year - it was too frustrating.   But, Linton Jazz was important, it was my escape from all that, so for several years I paid someone on 'People per Hour' around £20 per piece to do it.

Then something changed, I think it was when Karen stopped teaching and didn't want me to spend the money.  Cian, our singer, transposed a few parts for me but for the last 8-10? years, probably more, Karen has been handwriting parts for, not only me (French Horn), but also for the flute.  Each transposition takes about an hour to create.

Then in casual conversation another member of the band mentioned 'Muse Score' which allows you to create 'scores' and is free! So, I'm now happily in a position of being far less busy and interested to learn a new skill.

It's taken me a couple of nights to do a couple of pieces though I'm sure I'll speed up.  Proof is in the pudding....  I'll soon know if I've got something wrong in the transposition at the next rehearsal.