Can't be done. mp3 is a sound file and has nothing to do with any notation programs.

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately the mp3 format is an audio format, not a music notation format.

In an mp3 file there are no MIDI codes.

Concerting from audio to MIDI is like {converting from cake back to the original ingredients}.

Not a task Finale can do.

You can use the “wetware” between your ears, and notate what you hear.

However, some programs (claim that they) can convert audio to MIDI.

Do not expect miracles.

Simpler examples, like e. g. a flute solo, might get correctly translated to MIDI.

An audio file with many instruments (like e. g. a symphony orchestra) is a much more difficult task.

Thanks for the responses....Since this is a piano .mp3 I was hoping it was simple enough that it could be converted by either Finale or another program... I'd just like to 'see' it to better understand some of the more subtle pedagogy sections.

If no one remembers how with this old version or if this can be done is it possible to do in Finale 27?

I know of no way you can even create an mp3 directly from Finale. Any version. So, Finale isn't going to be able to open one with notation specs either like it can a midi file. Sibelius can export mp3 files directly but so far Finale can't. Perhaps you were thinking of Sibelius.

Thanks Ernest.....I was afraid of that...Back to the drawing board I guess!

… this is a piano .mp3 …

In that case (= only piano) converting the audio file to MIDI is a much easier task for a computer program than converting audio with multiple (different) instruments, like e. g. a symphony orchestra.

Try a web search for “convert audio to midi”.

No promises, but it could not hurt to try it.

Thanks again Peter....I'll poke around and see what I can find....

mp3 has nothing to do with this. Converting to .aif or .wav is easy but that won’t help either.

There was a pitch to note function in older versions of Finale but a) it never worked very well and b) it was for single lines only. No way it could handle piano. When it was dropped, no one missed it.

Pitch to MIDI and pitch to note converters do exist. How well they work depends on too many factors. The inexpensive ones can do single note melody only. Most DAWs have some pitch to MIDI functionality that may work for a simple file.

For most piano, I would check out pitch to MIDI in Melodyne Studio and not bother with anything else. You can do a 30 day trial and see if it will work for you.

https://www.celemony.com/en/trial 

It’s not cheap @ $849 but there are many ways to get it for less. One way: Melodyne Essential is bundled with Neutron 4 @ $199 and can be upgraded to Melodyne Studio for the $399 sale price. Resellers sometimes have it on sale. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Melo5Stu--celemony-melodyne-5-studio 

There are other ways but the trial will let you know if it’s worth pursuing.

https://shop.celemony.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CelemonyShop.woa/wo/OrtTozqdHGrG610AI9nvqw/0.0.31.23.5.5.9 

Ernest Biggs said:

I know of no way you can even create an mp3 directly from Finale. Any version.

Not so. As long as you are playing back through MIDI, Finale easily exports MP3 files. File > Export > Audio files…

True that Mike....playback through MIDI being the key.....Too bad it won't work in the other direction....

You can change the AIFF or WAV to MP3 in Audacity. Another step, but it works.

As long as,  is not directly like Sibelius. It has a mp3 selection.

Ernest....I tried that but the closest I can get to a MIDI export is an SDS file....which is a form of MIDI but Finale doesn't recognize .SDS files as a supported file type.

But if you have a back door way to do it please point me in that direction.

the closest I can get to a MIDI export is an SDS file…

Not enough info. What are you exporting from? If Sibelius, there are ways to export so that Finale can import but you need to be specific as to what version. If not Sibelius, then what? Are you on a Mac or Windows?

None of us read minds. 

Well I know it's a pain to follow an entire thread as I went back through it just now and even confused myself.....Haha... but all your questions are contained in the thread even though they might not be obvious......Windows 11....trying to export from Audacity "the closest I can get to a MIDI export is an .SDS file..." which is an audio program not notation software.  

Actually I got an answer about Finale and .mp3 files by calling the good folks at Finale today who confirmed that Finale won't load an .mp3 for notation purposes....they recommended trying to convert the .mp3 to MIDI with a 3rd party software....but didn't suggest one.

they recommended trying to convert the .mp3 to MIDI with a 3rd party software

Same thing. Unbaking a cake.

Audacity is free and worth the price.

Audacity is free and worth the price..

Ernest....I tried that but the closest I can get to a MIDI export is an SDS file.

                                                          Windows 11....trying to export from Audacity

Audacity does not convert audio to MIDI. It can only export MIDI from a MIDI file. Audio to MIDI is nearly impossible. 

"Audacity does not convert audio to MIDI. It can only export MIDI from a MIDI file. Audio to MIDI is nearly impossible. "...

So I'm finding out!  I knew someone would have an answer....it's good when an old dog like me can learn a new 'trick'!  Haha...

Is old dogs need to stick together!

. Audio to MIDI is nearly impossible. 

Once again, you are wrong. Many DAWs can do it with varying degrees of success but none of the cheapware can.

See my earlier post about Melodyne. The lower priced versions can handle simple melody to MIDI. Studio is the only version that can handle piano — if any version can. At the risk of repeating myself, there's a 30 day trial one can use to find out.

Mike....Thanks for the links to Studio.

I went and spent some time on their website and was quite impressed with this software.  They do, indeed, seem to allow export to MIDI.  In their user Manual they state "Exporting MIDI is dealt with in separate tours".  However they don't cover it in the manual itself so I couldn't run the 'how to' or possibilities to ground.

That is a powerful piece of software.  Being an old trombone player (which means I'm super sensitive to pitch) I would love to tinker with a way to accomplish "musical pitch deviation analysis".  But unfortunately for no more than I would ever use the program, once or twice per year MAYBE, and only for my own personal curiosity I can't justify the cost even at the sites with reduced pricing.  I had hoped to find something I could use over time as needed.  So while the 30 day trial is a nice tease and certainly a great offer it would probably just frustrate me more than anything!

Using that program for simply exporting MIDI would be akin to using BMW to drive down my 100 foot driveway to check the mail....Haha...

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.  I really appreciate the introduction to a software package I'd never heard of.

. Audio to MIDI is nearly impossible. 

 

Once again, you are wrong. Many DAWs can do it with varying degrees of success but none of the cheapware can.

No not wrong at all Mike. I don't understand the argumentative nature here. My statement was "nearly impossible" not entirely impossible.

This reply was from the Audacity forum. I thought the discussion had changed about using Audacity exporting midi?

Audacity does not convert audio to MIDI. It can only export MIDI from a MIDI file.

Audio to MIDI is very hard to do. ...

So now are we discussing additional DAW's in the thread? Plus some "cheapwear"? The bottom line for the OP is it is not going to be easy or even if possible at all. Finale doesn't do it and Audacity doesn't do it.

Buying any app boils down to two questions:

How badly to you want to (fill in the blank)? Despite the “nearly impossible” claims, pitch to MIDI has been around over 25 years. Finale/PrintMusic/Allegro had pitch to notation 21 years ago for (2001–2012). However, it works best (or at all depending on the app) with single lines and a strict, rhythmic performance. Finale’s version could only be used with a wind instrument as voice/guitar/piano were too complex—faster to just enter the notes which is why almost no one missed it in Finale 2014. A piano score requires Melodyne Studio to get close and then you might be spending time editing. This is not dissimilar to scanning software—major time saver but not perfect.. Which leads to the second question

What is your time worth? Only you get to answer. You don’t have to spend a cent listening and transcribing. Up to 25 years ago, that’s how we all did it. My time is worth having Studio. Though I have never used its pitch to MIDI functionality, it pays for itself in my studio. When Time saved = Money earned, I do cost/benefit analysis on hardware and software purchases. 

Despite the “nearly impossible” claims, pitch to MIDI has been around over 25 years. Finale/PrintMusic/Allegro had pitch to notation 21 years ago for (2001–2012).

Just like scanning software it will teach you how to become a good proofreader.

And the better the scanning software, the better the result. Don't be misled by the low-priced "scan to sheet music" software. The programs that allow you to edit the recognition are the way to go. I use SmartScore 64 Pro, but there are others.