Writing for Guitar

Hey everyone, just joined the forum because I had a question on writing a score for guitar. You see, I recently started writing a musical (mostly because I'm bored), and of course one of my main instruments is guitar. The thing is, I've never seen a score for guitar before, so I'm not sure how to write the part for it. When the guitar is just strumming chords, do I write out every note of the chord in the rhythm I want? How do I mark what position chord I want to be played (for example, I want a barred Dm chord on the fifth fret, so I've been marking it simply as Dm barre 5)? When writing fast fingerpicking patterns, would it be better to write out all the notes or to just tab it? The first question is most important to me. If anyone has any sample guitar scores they could show me to help illustrate what it looks like, that would be even better. Thanks a ton, guys.

Here is a site with tons of guitar scores "Classical Guitar Big Archive"

You can do it any way you want. You can notate every detail, most classical guitar pieces are like this, or you can do a jazz lead lead sheet type of thing where you just write out the melodies and label the chords names on top. Or you can just tab it, it doesn't matter. It all depends on what you are notating and who is going to be reading it.

Here is a site with tons of guitar scores "Classical Guitar Big Archive"

You can do it any way you want. You can notate every detail, most classical guitar pieces are like this, or you can do a jazz lead lead sheet type of thing where you just write out the melodies and label the chords names on top. Or you can just tab it, it doesn't matter. It all depends on what you are notating and who is going to be reading it.

I think for the most part I'd be notating every detail, but in the parts where I just want the guitar to strum E-A-B-C#m, would it be all right to mark it as putting the chords over the measures to let the guitarist know and then write only the bass note of the chord in rhythm I want it to strum in the measure? That's what I started doing, but I don't know if it would be too confusing that way.

I think for the most part I'd be notating every detail, but in the parts where I just want the guitar to strum E-A-B-C#m, would it be all right to mark it as putting the chords over the measures to let the guitarist know and then write only the bass note of the chord in rhythm I want it to strum in the measure? That's what I started doing, but I don't know if it would be too confusing that way.

Well if you are notating every detail, then stick with that. Write out the chords explicitly in the correct rhythms.

If you are just having the guitarist strum a series of chords use chord symbols and rhythm slashes. Its easier to read and easier to write. When it comes to arpeggios or anything else.. write it out.

It is OK to switch between the two.. especially in an extended work like a musical.

Ah, rhythm slashes. That's perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

I find the most effective way to write for guitar is to omit it entirely from the score.

I find the most effective way to write for guitar is to omit it entirely from the score.

yes.. guitarists are very good improvisors

:O

:evil: