[palosanto]

I use the pen freeform tool and I find it waaaay faster.  Just write the numbers and with pen and eraser that's all you need ...
But, of course, that's just me. 

Yeah, could do that, but the 'problem' remains. I often want to adjust the placement or another aspect of the annotation, when entering it. And I want to be able to read it well. My experiences with writing with the pen in free form are not too positive. Maybe it's the computer, but it doesn't work really well. The line tends to make sudden 'shortcuts' instead of following my writing exactly.

I understand, I just find that for writing one number or letter at the time (at least for guitar) I find the freeform faster that's all. I have no issues so far although I have no experience on a MS Surface. We all have our ways, whatever you are more comfortable , of course.