Notation

[russellnollen]

Am I the only one here that writes music in standard notation before (sometimes during) recording? Sometimes I'll use notation software, sometimes lead sheet, depending on what's fastest and available at the time. I have a challenge of sometimes remembering what I recorded. Writing it on paper or a computer screen helps me to organize patterns more easily at times; chord progressions, melodies, harmonies and voicing structures. Is that odd?

[Paulie]

I do it all the time. I transcribe parts of the a-las to understand what's going on, sometimes I write down what I've played or recorded to add harmony or counterpoint, and I often write down chord changes after I've played something by ear so when I go back to add other parts I know what I've played.

[DooWahDiddy]

I don't think it's odd, but I don't know what kind of music you write. When I'm writing my instrumental pieces, I'm like you; I always write out the part as I'm composing it, and when I record it I play exactly what's on the page. But when I'm writing a vocal song, I'll write out the chords and just try to "feel" my way around the actual part. Then I'll go back and write what I played, after the fact.

It's fine to write out the music beforehand, but I found that once I opened myself up to the possibility of letting the music flow out of me (without sounding too new age-y about it), it enabled me to get inside the music and my songwriting improved. So do what you have to do, but don't get chained down by the pen and paper, or computer screen or whatever; you might be surprised at what you come up with in the inspiration of the moment!

[mojobone]

I'll notate rhythms along with hook lines in my notebook, especially in instances where the correct rhythmic sequence isn't obviously implied by the lyric, and once in a great while I'll write out an important phrase in complete standard notation. Occasionally, I diagram a chord in tablature, too. Most of the time, though, I don't use notation unless/until other musicians get involved in the project.

[Len911]

Software notation here. Or "composition software". So much easier. Instant playback through midi. I couldn't read my writing/drawing anyway, or erase and replace as fast, or instantly hear, or...

I'm not so fond of the graphic type of note entry or the notation in Cubase.

Different softwares for different things,lol! Software A for chord progressions, voicings, melody, then I go to software B for arranging, and finally to software C for guitar tabs. I could do everything in software B, I just prefer having the three.