Yesterday a SmartMusic update was released that includes full support for accompaniments made with Finale 2014. Finale and SmartMusic are again in sync, so users of Finale 2014 can now save SmartMusic files directly.

This SmartMusic release is much more than good news for those using Finale 2014c who wish to make SmartMusic accompaniments. It’s good news for anyone creating SmartMusic accompaniments.

Why?

Finale 2014’s new file format makes Finale 2014 forwards and backwards compatible. The next version of Finale, and the version after that, will use the same file format. Not only does this mean that Finale 2014 and subsequent versions will be able to effortlessly exchange files back and forth, it also means that the current (and subsequent) version(s) of SmartMusic can already read whatever files you’ll create in future versions of Finale.

In short, we’ve eliminated the interdependency of each version of Finale and SmartMusic, so you will always be able to save SmartMusic accompaniments in the current version of Finale, and open them in the current version of SmartMusic, even the very day new versions of either program are released.

Are you creating SmartMusic accompaniments for the 2014-2015 school year? Please let us know how it’s going for you, or ask any questions, by clicking on “Comments” below.