Music software: Exciting things you can do in music on the internet using software!

     Are you a musical prodigy as well as a tech savvy computer fiend? You might as well combine the two and look into the hundreds of ways in which you can not only learn, but create, and edit your music with your computer, using software readily available online. There are hundreds of options out there, many of them perfect ways for you to unlock your inner virtuoso.

• Music Theory and Education Software -  For basic Music Theory and education you'll want software that gets right to the point and shows you everything you'll need to know.

     Mibac Music Lessons offers multiple music lessons that will teach you the basics of theory, but how to read scales and notes and the differences between different kinds of scales and chords. The software claims to be used in universities and private studios everywhere, and the price reflects that. It offers multiple skill levels dependent on a student's abilities though and carefully walks users through each aspect of the lesson. A good starting point.

     Auralia is a program designed to keep track of your progress and act as ear training. It walks you through a variety of exercises and keeps track of all results for you to track progress and compare results. A meticulous program, it offers advanced testing programs to create specific tests for yourself. Some of its most advanced features are not available for the Mac however, and getting started can be a bit complicated with limited help and support included.

• Music Creation Software – Creating music from your computer is easier than ever with a wide array of programs that allow you record, edit, and rework all of your compositions.

     Cakewalk offers a variety of affordable products with a wide array of features for making your own music. Music Creator 3 is their most popular product, an all inclusive software package, downloadable for less than $30 which includes multiple instruments, tools, and mixing elements to create your music in one interface. They also offer a specific package for beat makers, Kinetic 2, which includes easy to operate, drag and drop sampling interfaces and advanced synth settings.

     Finale Allegro is an all inclusive package which offers not only music creation software, but notation and teaching options as well. It comes with Band-in-a-Box features, another great piece of software with numerous instruments and samples for use in your music, and multiple creation tools, such as guitar fret boards, and groove boxes for beat creation. One click notation and tablature options make this a simple to use and quick to pick up program that attempts to do it all. Because it aims for so many features though, a few, such as its teaching wizard feel underdeveloped though. And with so many incredible features, expect an astronomical price, with a retail value of $600.

     Magic Music Maker 11 Deluxe is a slightly different suit of software with equally respectable results. Its goal is to offer a sizable sweet of samples and sounds for creation of soundtracks, new samples, and new tracks. With a beautiful display and ample features for both voice and instrumentals, it offers a great beginners package for music creation.

• Music Notation Software – For classical musicians and composers, as well as garage bands and high school flute players, notation software is extremely versatile and useful for putting together your compositions in a flexible, easy to edit space.

     Quick Score Elite II – As one of the best options on the market, Quick Score Elite II offers an incredibly easy interface with quick edit tools and a drag and drop note system. The tutorial and advice sections make it a quick and easy way to start your scoring in no time. Not only is the drag and drop simple to use, it allows for note alteration with a single click and the software allows up to 16 midi channels at once, allowing for multiple instruments in the same score. It will run you upwards of $200 for a retail copy of this software though.

     Print Music – Offering features that Quick Score does not like voice to note features and ample lyric line space, Print Music is almost as great an option, thought its editing space and features are a touch lacking. Without the ease of multiple windows and drag and drop interface like Quick Score Elite, Print Music is still a great product with ample settings for all notation needs. And at half the price of Quick Score, only $99, it's a great choice.