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I'm writing this post in response to several people who have wrote things in their respective notation software that sound great in the program, but would not work out in real life. I'm not writing this at all to slam anyone nor will name names. Everyone has been guilty of this one time or another including myself! I want to give you a few things to think about when you place notes in the computer and hope that will help you with a better product. It will present challenges for you when you start thinking along these lines, but it will be well worth it in the end ESPECIALLY if your end goal is to become well known and make a living writing. Who are you writing for: First you need to decide who you are writing for. Middle School Band, High School, The middle ground between MS / HS, your top HS Band that can play low end college music, Professionals? If you don't know the answer to this stop what you are writing and assess what you have done and make a decision on what level. If you are not sure what level your piece is look at other concert band works, orchestral, etc... and figure out what its similar. That can help but not be the end result. Physical Pacing / Limitations: Think about if you were playing your music. If you have piece that is 5 minutes long and you don't have a single rest in the whole song try playing it, or have a friend who plays that instrument play through it. I'm certain they won't make it. Trumpets can NOT Wail the entire time. Not even college, drum corps, top level high school, etc can have their trumpets above the staff 24-7 when playing. It doesn't work. The Drum Corps when they play high they pace everything so that they a) lead up to the high note, and b) they aren't off the staff immediately on a power chord. Not saying you can't write it, but write it when the music calls for it. If its a big moment, go for it, but don't keep them up their forever. Woodwinds can NOT play 32nd not runs at a moderate - fast tempo forever. If you want to write varying rhythms, dove tail (so that it sounds like running 32nd notes but a part might play 8 3nd notes then an 8th note that is short, and another part will play the same thing just offset by an 8th note). Also check the register, and see where the runs lie on the instrument. If you don't know if its a bad range or not ask someone who plays the instrument to look at it, or have them play it. I play through everything on the piano. I usually write in concert pitch, and play each part (recorded) into the keyboard and listen to play back. This a) lets me mark my scores and make corrections bc I see the individual part, and b) allows me to hear it by a different playback method. It has some issues compared to finale, but also fixes some things that I can't hear in finale that I know through experience will be there in real life. You will learn a lot about voice leading, part writing, if its a fun part, etc... by playing through your own music. Its extremely important and is a great use of quality control. Stay humble, write with emotion, stay self critical, and smart about what you write and you will go far. I plan everything out on paper (sections, form, keys, who's playing what where) before I put notes into the computer or down on paper. I know my music in my head inside and out before I write on the computer. Sometimes what I have planned doesn't work out, but the more I plan ahead the faster I get a product out with higher quality and I'm getting more accurate with it. Its my system, it works for me, but the planning stage is the common ground for all great writers. Plan ahead, but the music dictates what is right. Hope this helps!