Hi all, and some questions about writing music.

[staccato1975]

I am a new member of this fine forum. I have not been a frequent reader but many, many times I have found answers and points of view here that have helped me a lot.  So thanks!

I had never played an instrument or looked at a music sheet until I was 31 (2 years ago), so you can easily understand how slowly I am progressing and how frustrating it is at times. Yet I am really happy working everyday, improving step by step and enjoying the music I play.

My questions are about composition. Obviously I just do it as an exercise, I doubt anyone but me would like it. But I have written a few pages of music just as a mean of understanding harmony, and also curiously since I am writting, my reading abilities are improving faster. Also it is for me very special to play what I have written, so I've decided to put effort into it. This leads to my questions:

1) Any good software you know to write and edit sheets? I am using pencil & paper now... very slow and unclean result after too frequent deleting and modifying... there must be a way to produce those nifty PDF sheets I see everywhere.

2) Any good book recommendations on this topic?

3) Any repertoire that can be specially insightful for composition? the limit would be my low level, currently around Bach 2 part inventions, Schumann op. 68, Jensen etudes... Just started with WTC book 1 prelude IX.

[hyrst]

For software, try Finale notepad.  https://www.finalemusic.com/store/productoverview.aspx

[staccato1975]

Thanks hyrst, looks good, I will try it.

[healdie]

Well the Bach WTC will definatly aid your musical knowledge, Beethoven said that Bach was the Master of harmony and counterpoint so you will hopefully benifit alot from this work, but try not to let your own ideas be influenced by bach learn what you can from him but don't start copying him.

Also for software i use Sibelius 5 i have never used Finale so i can't comment but Sibelius definatly does all of this, but it is not cheap, (i got the student edition which is identical but at a lower price for students which i am)

[xpjamiexd]

Well for someone who is only just beginning music thory eg harmony ect I think you should think about purchasing Sibelius if of course you're serious otherwise its'a waste of money) though it is pricey (£400 if im not mistaken) but it really is fantastic software.

[rc]

Here are some links on composition I've found while mining the internet:

http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/personnel/Belkin/bk/
http://www.listeningarts.com/music/general_theory/species/menu.htm

Also Project Gutenberg might have some old books with useful tidbits.  I like to print one out every now and again.  I found about a dozen music books.  A seach of 'music' gave me 59 books, here's one that might be good:

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/19354

[popdog]

I use Finale Notepad and haven't had any problems with it.  I find I usually use pen and paper though.  Something classy about it. 

In terms of music to study, if you're at the level of 2 part inventions, they are a great place to start.  They pretty much have it all: harmony, melody,  rhythm, counterpoint, ornamentation etc. all of it first class. 

I'm probably gonna transfer to a Bach of Music and major in Composition, which is of course one way of doing it. 

Good luck

[mswaller]

A great book is Gardner Read's "Music Notation A Manual of Modern Practice."  I refer to it often.  Not sure if it's appropriate for someone who just started composing.  Anyone else have any thought on this??