I am working on trying to learn how to score better. How can I turn the things I may play on the guitar or on the keyboard into correct register notes, with the correct rhythmic length, and appropriate rests and dynamic and playing techniques?
I confess that I am not particularly good at this. Not yet. I can usually get the right notes in the correct register, but when it comes to the length of individual notes and whether a note lasts a particular length and is sustaining or whether it ends and there would be a rest before the next note is played, I am clueless. Well, not totally clueless, but I do find it difficult and confusing.
I have been thinking of ways in which to improve this situation. I have a few thoughts and would appreciate anyone else’s ideas in the comments.
- Training my ear to detect these things
- Greater study of rhythm and rhythmic patterns
- Reading and analyzing scores
- A deal with the devil
- Prayer to the almighty
- I am sure there are many other things I cannot think of
The thing I have not mentioned in this list is the thing that I am going to try to aid progression in this area.
I am going to get an instrument, guitar or keyboard, play something – a short phrase or melody – and then I am going to try and notate that on manuscript paper with pen by hand. Then I will put that into Dorico and can check to see if the manuscript that I have entered has the same rhythm and phrasing as I expect.
I am sure that there will be a lot of mistakes, but it seems to me to be a way where I can try to improve my abilities in writing manuscript.
Any thoughts please let me know in the comments.
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