What do you compose with?

:P I tried to create a poll, but I can't find the option or whatever.

So what do you compose with?

1. Manuscript paper and pencil

2. Computer software

3. Manuscript paper and computer software

4. Other

I do #3.

Same here. Not often at once, though. Heh.

About three-quarters of the time: laptop, Finale 2002, and usually a cup of tea beside the computer. The other quarter: piano, RCM notebook, blue Bic pencil (okay, so I have a favourite composition pencil), eraser, ruler.

Pencil and paper, then transfer to computer and do any necessary editing on the computer.

For class assignments - paper and pencil, 100%.

For large scores, orchestra and such - Finale 2004.

Other things - half and half.

Since being at Oberlin, though, I'm working more in paper and pencil (and ruler - mustn't forget the ruler). It actually makes things sound better, I think - because you spend those extra seconds on every note, so you absolutely know they're right.

Working in Sibelius makes it easier for me to experiment with sounds and pitches. When I'm writing it down and by a piano, I need to have the whole idea already in my head, and that's not how I usually work.

I often start at the piano and get basic ideas then go to Sibelius and write it all out, going back and forth whenever neccessary. But mostly it's done in Sibelius.

which is better finale or sibelius?

Finale. No argument necessary. Finale is better, end of story. I've posted a bunch of things in other threads which pretty much prove the point so read up on those and decide for yourself, since it is up to you.

There's no harm in choosing Sibelius, it just means I'll have to kill you at some point when I get around to it ;) *shrug*

Benjamin,

I think it just depends on what you prefer. I like FINALE's interface more, so I go with that. In terms of features you can more or less do the same thing in both programs.

I compose with a sequencer, Cakewalk, simply because I do work for media (videos, films etc.) so I'm more worried about the sound, not how the score looks. If I want to hand my music to players, I'll use FINALE to edit the score.

-Chris

Chris Hurn, how does cakewalk work then? I am interested in this program and am wondering if it is difficult to use?

I've been using Finale probably more than I should lately. Nothing beats good ol' pencil and paper. Interesting... while my two best piano pieces were written almost entirely on staff paper, my recent piano duet was entirely Finale. My only finished pieces are for piano, and that's the only one that didn't see any graphite.

Chris Hurn, how does cakewalk work then? I am interested in this program and am wondering if it is difficult to use?

Cakewalk is great. It's a fantastic sequencer, and if you're goal is to produce digital music, then it's the way to go. It's not the only sequencer (you could look at Cubase, Reason etc.) but it's very user friendly and easy to use. Cakewalk works by 'tracks'. So every instrument is a new track. You can compose via score view, like you do in programs like FINALE, however, I find it a lot quicker to write with. To control dynamics, you use the midi CC values. You can't make professional print outs with it though, which is why I use finale to edit the score if my music is performed.

Check out http://www.cakewalk.com for more information.

-Chris

I am in the experimental stage...I haven't found one method I prefer yet. My college has a finale lab with macintoshes (WHOO!) with piano midi controllers and such. I composed an oboe and piano piece completely with finale. I did plunking and stuff on the piano, but I cheated by experimenting with the sounds trying to find the best chord that was in my head...I like the piece, it was good, but I think editing programs such as finale create a cruch that can impede the creative process. One should in theory be able to sing each part in your head or out loud, or at least whistle it. Frank Ticheli said that people shouldn't write what they can't sing. I don't know how I feel about that, but I think a good way to compose, would be to go from sketches at a piano or not for those lucky people with perfect or excellent relative pitch. Then once your sketch is complete then write it on manuscript, then take it to finale. Finale can catch embarrassing errors, but I think it is dangerous if leaned upon too heavily.

John Clyde

Well, I use sequencers most of the time..then, if needed, Finale to write the notes. Cubase SX or Sonar + sound banks (EW QL products lately)

I compose instantaneously using a piano. Unfortunately I write out few of my ideas. One of these days I shall start doing that more, I think...

True, Finale's dangerous to use if leaned on too heavily. There's really nothing like intuition for knowing exactly what's going on. If Finale makes you second guess yourself, you're using it too much.

While I admire Frank Ticheli's work a lot, I don't agree with his statement. The beauty of instruments is that they can play things that are impossible to sing. I've seen pieces written in intervals only exceeding an octave, which is extraordinarily difficult for a singer - but a flute or trumpet can usually handle those pieces fine.

I agree with that..

I think hearing notes hurts the focus of a peice. At least for me so I like to try not to use Finale as often because I am tempted to just go crazy and stuff and loose focus of the melody I was trying to do.

So for my piano peices I just like to write them on a paper or store them in my memory if I am having trouble putting it to paper and write it out later.

I start with ideas on the piano or some other instrument, write it down on paper and then transer it to PC. Somehow on the PC, more ideas generate and before you know it, you have a piece finished!! :(

I think Finale's the better of the two - I tried both of them out at the same time (beginners level) and found Sibelius a bit hard to conquer - but then again, it's all a matter of getting use to it I guess.

I compose with Noteworthy Composer, unless I'm not at the computer in which case I will scrawl something down on paper or my arm. Then I finish the piece, import into finale, and spend jsut as much time making it look good as I did writing the thing.

pretty much a combination of all the things people have already said, and really, i don't believe that it makes a difference if u r doing it by pencil or doing it with programs, whichever produces the best music counts, I mean, who is going to say that you are not a composer if u r writing it on the computer most of the times? Same thing, if u r doing it by hand, that doesn't make you better or worse, after all the greats did it that way, but if using programs can improve the music, why not?

#2 for me, although i use Cubase and i dont really put notes. I record what i play on the midi-keyboard or build something in the track-editor.

I don't really know notation well enough to take advantage of it.

#3 - it depends on if I am at home, or elsewhere. If I am home, of course it is neater to use the computer. If I get an idea at school or something, I write on manuscript paper, then transfer it to the computer :thumbsup:

- Jen

#3, but I only have a demo of Sibilieus... I'm not good enough (or rich enough) to go fork over the dough for any of those top-notch programs.

i use a finale 2006 demo to write most of my classical and jazz pieces. Tho if i am at school and think of a good improv solo for jazz on my alto, i just write down the notes on notebook paper.

Manuscript paper and pencil first then transfer them on to Sibelius.