Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
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Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
I’ve done a search, but apologize if I’m duplicating a thread.
I want to start notating trombone solos, and have never done notation before.
After some research here and elsewhere, it seems that a good way forward would be to buy a used midi keyboard and use it in conjunction with MuseScore. I can reproduce the trombone part on the keyboard, which is then notated in MuseScore. I can then go in and clean it up.
Am I on the right track?
My first notation would be Steve Davis’s Peace, BTW.
I want to start notating trombone solos, and have never done notation before.
After some research here and elsewhere, it seems that a good way forward would be to buy a used midi keyboard and use it in conjunction with MuseScore. I can reproduce the trombone part on the keyboard, which is then notated in MuseScore. I can then go in and clean it up.
Am I on the right track?
My first notation would be Steve Davis’s Peace, BTW.
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
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Last edited by musicofnote on Sun Jun 30, 2024 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
I’m always hoping that techie things will be simpler than they ever are.
If I’m transcribing trombone parts for my own use, maybe I should just get proficient with notation using pencil and staff paper.
If I’m transcribing trombone parts for my own use, maybe I should just get proficient with notation using pencil and staff paper.
- muschem
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
I've never tried a midi keyboard for transcriptions, but a regular computer keyboard works fine for me in MuseScore. Things go pretty fast for single part transcriptions, especially once you pick up a few of the key shortcuts (switching note duration, adding articulation, etc.). Fine-tuning the appearance can take a bit more effort, but the default engraving choices MuseScore makes are pretty usable as-is. This reminds me that I need to get back to several of the partially-finished transcription projects I have started.
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
Agreed!
Now I think having a midi controller is always a good thing to have lying around, but not to use with MuseScore for trombone transcriptions. These programs are pretty intuitive and using a computer keyboard should be just fine.
King 2b+
King 3b
King 3b(f)
Conn 79h
Kanstul 1585
Olds O-21 Marching Trombone (Flugabone)
King 3b
King 3b(f)
Conn 79h
Kanstul 1585
Olds O-21 Marching Trombone (Flugabone)
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
That’s all good news. So I can do all my transcription on the computer keyboard.
- BGuttman
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
Cautionary note: There is a pretty steep learning curve using any notation program. They are not so intuitive that you can go like the wind right away. When I'm out of practice on MuseScore I can take hours to do what I can do in minutes with pencil and paper. But the end result is much easier to read.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
Music notation programs really shine when you want to create a score and extract parts. For doing a transcription of a solo - if you're not planning on publishing it professionally engraved - it's generally better to go buy or print some manuscript paper and write it out by hand.
“All musicians are subconsciously mathematicians.”
- Thelonious Monk
- Thelonious Monk
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Re: Midi keyboard + MuseScore for notating solos?
I just use the keyboard with MuseScore. I can move along pretty quickly, especially with the sound on so I can hear any mistypes as I go along.
Mainly, I use it to add custom lyrics to familiar hymn tunes for church. The lyrics function on MuseScore is a bit slower and more finicky for me.
Mainly, I use it to add custom lyrics to familiar hymn tunes for church. The lyrics function on MuseScore is a bit slower and more finicky for me.