Noteworthy Composer

Noteworthy Player

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why do I need this program? What is its purpose?
• Why did you choose this particular program?
• Does Noteworthy Composer have any advantages over Noteworthy Player as a file reader?
• What are the limitations of Noteworthy Composer's shareware version?
• What are the limitations of Noteworthy Player?
• How do I configure my browser to launch these programs when I click on a hyperlink to an NWC or MIDI file?
• Why am I seeing the notes play on the example, but hear no sound?

Q01    Why do I need this program? What is its purpose?

A01    To provide you with musical examples that you can both see and hear by clicking on a hyperlink. Either Noteworthy Composer or Noteworthy Reader will serve this purpose. Noteworthy Player is freeware and costs nothing to download and use.

Q02    Why did you choose this particular program?

A02    I chose Noteworthy Composer for several important reasons:

• The examples can be read and played using a freeware program, Noteworthy Player. This means that you can use these instructional pages at no cost.
• Noteworthy Composer is an powerful, user-friendly, shareware program that you can use for you own musical experimentation
• The program's developer provides extensive technical support online
• During playback, the music score highlights notes in red as they are being played
• Low Cost - You can download NWC as shareware, and fully register it for $39.95
• Each file has an 'information' section, which allows me generous space for text comments
• NWC can condense its files for web publication, but the files are still immediately executable
• NWC can import and export MIDI files, and NWP can also read and MIDI files

Q03    Does Noteworthy Composer have any advantages over Noteworthy Player as a file reader?

A03    Yes. Files imported into Noteworthy Composer can be edited by the user. Tempos can be changed, keys can be transposed, staves can be muted on playback, parts can be altered, added or subtracted, etc. You can also view and play files which were created by in unregistered copy of the program--although you won't find any on this website. (Noteworthy Player won't work with files from unregistered users) This is why the program is so terrific for student musicians, and why I'm so enthusiastic about it.

Q04    What are the limitations of Noteworthy Composer's shareware version?

A04    The shareware version of Noteworthy Composer appears to be almost completely functional except for the following:

• A file can only be saved 9 times--i.e. whatever you're writing has to be done in nine sittings or less
• The shareware program is supposed to expire after 30 days
• Files produced by an unregistered copy of NWC cannot be played or displayed by Noteworthy Player

Q05    What are the limitations of Noteworthy Player?

A05    Noteworthy Player displays and plays files exactly as they were saved in Noteworthy Composer, and reads the attached text comments. It also reads and plays MIDI files. This makes it adequate for use on these pages. The following might be considered its limitations:

• Playback will be strictly as-is. The user is not able to:
  • Change tempo
  • Transpose pitch
  • Mute individual staves/tracks
• It refuses to display or play the contents of NWC files which were saved by an unregistered copy of Noteworthy Composer

Q06    How do I configure my browser to launch these programs when I click on a hyperlink to an NWC or MIDI file?

A06    You have to configure your browser to recognize the file extention, and take the appropriate action. Click on the following links to get the instructions for Netscape and Internet Explorer. Note that the instructions for Internet Explorer come from Noteworthy's FAQ. My copy of Internet Explorer 4.0 appears to activate Noteworthy Player without any modifications on my part.

NWC's MIME type/subtype on Tripod and Earthlink's servers is application/nwc. On Noteworthy's server, it is application/octet-stream.

Q07    Why am I seeing the notes play on the example, but hear no sound?

A07    There are several common causes for this. Check them in this order:

• NWC or NWP is already runnning from a previous hyperlink. Each time you click on a hyperlink, it activates the program as it downloads the file. When you are finished playing a file, you have to close NWC or NWP out completely--not just close the file. If you have left NWC or NWP working and then click another hyperlink, your existing program has control of your MIDI player and the new program won't be able use it. Bottom line: Make sure there are no copies of NWC or NWP running on your computer before you click on the hyperlink.
• Your volume control is turned, down, you have headphones or a patch cord plugged into your phone jack, etc.
• Your MIDI device may be incorrect. Were you working earlier with a MIDI keyboard that's now disconnected or turned off? Go into My Computer>Control Panel>Multimedia and click the MIDI tab. See whether the type of device you're trying to use is selected. (For your PC to play the file back, your selection should probably be "ESFM Synthesis."
• Your computer lacks a MIDI-capable soundcard or has no soundcard at all. I know you're laughing at this, but if you're using the computer at a public library or an office, this is a very real possibility.
• If you have checked all these things and still come up empty, go to Noteworthy Composer's Homepage and search their support areas.
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