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Joined: Aug 2011
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Hello everyone!
I would like to find out from you all if anyone here composes by hand. I have always written my compositions by hand and I think it is a far better way of composing for the following reasons:
1. Developing your inner ear and being able to hear the composition in your head
2. Far more freedom in what you can do e.g. Graphic notation, complex polyrhythms
3. It's cheaper
4.I find it quicker.
None of the 120 something compositions I have written (I have been composing for almost four years now) were written entirely on Sibelius or Finale or whatever.
This post i'm writing isn't saying that notation software is bad, cos I think that they can be great for making parts and scores, but I think that everyone would benefit from using the good old fashioned quill and parchment (or pencil and paper) from time to time.
Last edited by Froglegs; 08/24/11 12:57 AM.
"There is nothing greater than the joy of composing something oneself and then listening to it."
- Clara Schumann
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I certainly do. When the piece is finished (apart from small details) I prepare the score with Finale, just as I used to do with pen and ink  40 years ago. I'm also not saying one method is better than another - but although writing out a piece with pen and ink was kind of fun, Finale is much easier to correct!!
Du holde Kunst...
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I certainly use manuscript and pencil and rubber when composing, but for the finished product (score) I will always input everything to Finale!
I don't think I've ever composed straight into Finale! I find it impossible, even though I compose for computer games as well. I do compose straight into Cubase, but while playing the midi keyboard, or using loops, not scoring notation.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Glad to see that people still do. I attend composition workshops sometimes and I usually am disappointed with the amount of people that compose straight on to the computer.
"There is nothing greater than the joy of composing something oneself and then listening to it."
- Clara Schumann
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Posts: 1,239
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Hello everyone!
I would like to find out from you all if anyone here composes by hand. I have always written my compositions by hand and I think it is a far better way of composing for the following reasons:
1. Developing your inner ear and being able to hear the composition in your head
2. Far more freedom in what you can do e.g. Graphic notation, complex polyrhythms
3. It's cheaper
4.I find it quicker.
None of the 120 something compositions I have written (I have been composing for almost four years now) were written entirely on Sibelius or Finale or whatever.
This post i'm writing isn't saying that notation software is bad, cos I think that they can be great for making parts and scores, but I think that everyone would benefit from using the good old fashioned quill and parchment (or pencil and paper) from time to time. Well, "cheaper" falls over if you already own Finale/Sibelius. But, yes, there's still plenty of pencils, erasers and paper here. Whatever floats your boat.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Glad to see that people still do. I attend composition workshops sometimes and I usually am disappointed with the amount of people that compose straight on to the computer. Why? I take my little laptop to workshops, etc. It takes no more room on a desktop than a sheet of paper, and is nearly silent in operation. So why should it bother you how I choose to work?
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Glad to see that people still do. I attend composition workshops sometimes and I usually am disappointed with the amount of people that compose straight on to the computer. Why disappointed? Paper and pencil is good. Computer is good. Judge the result, not the tools.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Maybe it's a generational issue. I thought I would never be using the computer in my lifetime....ha! Even so, I always start with manuscript and pencil. I make the erasing part easier by not writing down anything until my ear likes it. I know I could be faster with the computer and possibly more creative. I just prefer to stick with the 'old-way'.
rada
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With a pencil and plenty of papers and eraser you can not only erase but keep copies around, make drafts, use the computer for algorithmic processes, rather than notating, and other...
I don't think I'll ever be able to work straight on Finale! (As I said Cubase is different).
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Listen to Nikolas
Last edited by Froglegs; 08/24/11 06:20 PM.
"There is nothing greater than the joy of composing something oneself and then listening to it."
- Clara Schumann
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most schools force you to learn by hand first. I forged a doctors note saying I had wrist pain so I was allowed to use sibelius. Made my intro orchestration class a breeze. But i do have awful handwriting. I mean I cannot draw a straight line. Not sure if I have early signs of some dopamine based neurological disorder but my hands vibrate. I'm also left handed so anything I write just ends up a jumbled mess.
One thing doing it by hand does teach you is notation which despite the advances sibelius is not quite up to par yet. I still refered to my notation reference when I did the class using Sibelius as the program is not to be relied on for correct notation that does not require user fixing.
Last edited by MadForBrad; 08/24/11 05:08 PM.
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I use both. At the end of the day you can use whatever you prefer and inspires you more.
![[Linked Image]](https://forum.pianoworld.com//gallery/42/medium/10968.png)
Music is my best friend.
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I always work everything out by hand, then I notate the finished product on the computer.
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Both. I've written entire pieces with pencil and paper, and others with Musescore, and still others with pencil and paper until I got a laptop with Musescore, and then continued on the computer.
I'm not interested in listening to anyone's opinion on what tool to use. I'd rather listen to the music they create with said tool, and if that music is good, I don't care if they peed it in the snow or scribbled it on the bathroom ceiling with a crayon.
If there is a banner ad in this post, please be advised that the owners of the company traffic in illegal drugs and have been caught in compromising positions with farm animals.
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I'm not interested in listening to anyone's opinion on what tool to use. I'd rather listen to the music they create with said tool, and if that music is good, I don't care if they peed it in the snow or scribbled it on the bathroom ceiling with a crayon. How about playing it on the piano? This is after all a piano forum. However one composes for piano and the process involved , whether pencil, paper, program, projection, planning... improvisation, inspiration, imagination, intuition, intention. There's no substitute for playing piano passionately.
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There's no substitute for playing
piano passionately. As long as the passion is added to accuracy and sense/knowledge of style!
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Joined: Jun 2009
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How about having some passion for whatever one is doing
and building skills, knowledge, learning, accuracy, attention ... ongoing.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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How about having some passion for whatever one is doing
and building skills, knowledge, learning, accuracy, attention ... ongoing. I see you agree with me!
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Yes, and I respect his view. But I'm still waiting for you to explain why it matters to you how I choose to work.
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