How to Write & Print Music
If you're interested in composing music, whether it's for a solo instrument or full orchestra, music composition software can help you write and print organized scores with parts. Learning to write music with any program takes time, but in the end you will be able to produce pieces much faster than if you had handwritten them. Choose a music writing program based on your specific needs, as well as the specs of your computer.
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Instructions
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Finale
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Download Finale, which is one of the most powerful programs for creating complex music arrangements, but which also takes time to learn. Install and open the program.
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Click "Setup Wizard" and select the type of ensemble and style from the options and click "Next." Check next to the instruments you want to include in your score, then click "Next."
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Enter a title, composer, and arranger into the appropriate fields and click "Next." Select a key and time signature and a tempo from the options and click "Finish."
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Click on the type of note or rest you want to begin with from the box on the left of the screen and click on the line or space where you want to place your note. Continue until you have entered all of the notes in your composition.
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Go to "File" menu and click "Print." Select whether you would like to print the score, separate parts or all of the music, choose a number of copies, and click "Print."
Sibelius
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Download Sibelius, which is another powerful program for creating complex music arrangements. Install and open the program.
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Click the "New" icon to start a new project. Select your instruments by first choosing a class (woodwind, brass, percussion, strings) under "Section," then selecting instruments from the list. Click "Add" to see your instrument added under "Instruments to Create." Click "Create" when you are done.
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Click the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the top of the keypad on the bottom left to navigate the keypad between note values and specific signs and symbols. Click on the note value you wish you use, then click inside the staff on the space or line to create a note. Continue until you have entered all of the notes in your composition.
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Go to "File" and select "Extract Scores" if you wish to print individual parts from your score. If not, go to "File" and select "Print" to print the entire score.
Pizzicato
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Download Pizzicato, which is one of the more user-friendly music composition programs ideal for beginners. Install and open the program.
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Go to "File" and select "New." Click on the keypad on the right of the screen to add measures. Go to "Tools" and select "Notes and Rests." Select a note value and click on the staff to add a note. Continue until you have entered all of the notes in your composition. Add rests by choosing the note value, then pressing the Shift key when you click on the staff.
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Go to "File" and select "Print" when you are finished writing your music.
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Tips & Warnings
The demo versions of Finale, Sibelius, and Pizzicato have limitations on printing. The demo of Pizzicato Light provides full printing capabilities for one month. To access full printing capabilities in the other programs you must purchase a copy.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit music book. manuscript. music score image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
