Materials¶
Quote
For years I said if I could only find a comfortable chair I would rival Mozart — Morton Feldman
On this page I share some materials I use and recommend for musicians who want to invest in writing music by hand. Quality tools, a large desk, and a firm chair accompanied by silence are necessary to achieve a flow state.
Sketching Paper¶
Sketching paper should be cheap and dispensible but also comfortable enough to use. If you have a printer, I recommend using blanksheetmusic.net to generate custom sheet music for sketching. If you want a more durable and portable solution, I highly recommend The Faber Music Manuscript Notebook: For Composers and Songwriters. Its compact size makes it ideal for working with smaller musical ideas. The book format also makes it easy to access and store your compositions..
Why Sketch?¶
If you're unfamiliar with the sketching process, this article offers a helpful overview of what it involves, how to do it, and why it's important.
Manuscript Paper¶
Why write by hand?¶
Modern notation programs such as Finale, Sibelius, Dorico, and Musescore allow for a faster and efficient work flow for creating music. I argue that using these programs have hidden costs and unintended consequences. I strongly believe these programs should be used with caution. Eric Whitacre goes in to detail in a series of blogs entitled Advice For The Emerging Composer. One benefit hand writing has over computer programs is its built in scarcity. Scarcity breeds creativity. Paper and ink can be expensive, especially when working on larger scale pieces. The scarcity of these resources inspire critical thought and imagination. Personally, I find myself relying more on my technique and theorietical knowledge whenever I write by hand.
[left] Sakura Pigma Micron Pens on P-569 Judy Green Music Paper
[right] Uni Alpha Gel Mechanical Pencil on P-569 Judy Green Music Paper
Videos¶
Augusta Read Thomas: Handmade Sounds
Many years ago I met Agusta Reed Thomas as a participant of a master class that she was leading. She inspired me to take my craft seriously and to strive for a higher level of clarity and creativity. In this video she explains her process of composition. I have emulated some elements of her process, and I urge others to try it out.
Vox Hominis by Zac Nicholson with George Crumb
This short film is a documentary showcasing George Crumb's studio, work, and process. A touching and inspiring video—a personal favorite.
Additional Resources¶
To get more ideas on what sketching can look like, check out Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring sketches by clicking here.
To get an idea of how fully handwritten scores can look like, check out Claude Debussy's La mer by clicking here.