writing manuscripts

[imbetter]

I've recently written a sonata (which I will post in the audition room). I started writing it out on staff paper and it's a very long boring and tedious process. Who else writes out manuscripts, how long does it usualy take? How long a day do you spend doing it?

[pianoalexander]

Takes alot of time, really.  You could spend weeks writing something out, but no better feeling when it is finished

[jre58591]

you should have used sibelius or finale to write it. it goes MUCH faster than writing it out.

[Bob]

It's a huge pain.

I would write out a quick rough draft -- The sloppy version.  Focus on getting the ideas write.

Everything in pencil of course.

Then when you have everything the way you want it, write out a nice clean copy.  Focus on making it look nice and neat.


Or use a software notation program.


Either way... long, boring, tedius process.  I suppose you could "play" it into a notation program and save some time.  Better yet, get someone else to write out the copy for you.  I've heard that what the professional do -- compose, not copy.

[imbetter]

you should have used sibelius or finale to write it. it goes MUCH faster than writing it out.

Acctualy, Im writing a rough draft atm, Im gonna use sibelius wen im done

[phil13]

I'll be interested in hearing this. What kind of music influenced you?

I compose longhand too. Although I own Sibelius software, and it is quite helpful, there are drawbacks in notation software that I prefer to avoid, so I just write it out. Besides, I like to write musical notation.

BTW, writing out a score is not boring when you're thinking the piece out, but if, for example, you have recorded it like an improvisation and are writing the notes out without the thought process, only then does it become boring.

As for your last question, does it not depend on the length and complexity of the piece? A short prelude for solo piano will be far easier to write than a full symphony.

I'll be interested to hear what Alistair has to say on the matter of composing longhand versus notation software.

Phil

[counterpoint]

you should have used sibelius or finale to write it. it goes MUCH faster than writing it out.

Are you sure?

When I'm writing some short pieces down on notepaper, that's done quite quickly.
But setting it with a notation program is such a a pain. I haven't any experience with sibelius or finale, I use capella, of which people say, it is very user friendly. But if you have any sort of polyphonic figures, which is normal in piano music, it get's extremely complicated. Yes, if you have a single voice in the right hand and a single voice in the left hand, and a rhythm which is not too complicated, that's quite easy.