NICHOLL/GRUD
Music Notation - Preparing Scores and Parts

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: BERKLEE COLLEGE -LICENSED (April 7, 2007)
Language: English

Whether you notate music by hand or use computer software, this practical reference will show you today's best practices rendering the details of your scores and parts.
Improve your music's legibility and express your ideas clearly to get the best possible representation of your music.
You will learn to:
· create scores that are easy to conduct and parts that are easy to perform;
· understand the unique practices and standards for handwritten vs. computer-generated scores, such as those by Encore and Sibelius;
· lay out scores with proper instrument order, measures per page, and common alignment practices;
· understand the publication standards for orchestral, big-band, vocal, and rhythm-section-based scores;
· use appropriate practices for different styles, such as pop, commercial, classical, and jazz;
· and more...
Music Notation - Preparing Scores and Parts is used as a notation textbook by Berklee College of Music's Contemporary Writing and Production Department. It presents the definitive word in score and part preparation, based on contemporary publishing-industry practice.

Encore Notation

New GVox Encore 5!

Music Notation Software - complete scoring features, auto part extraction, MIDI and VSTi playback keep you in control. Updates Encore 5 Windows and Mac now available! Passport Music Software

MusicTime Deluxe

New MusicTime Deluxe 4!

Write, Play, Print Music - produce musical scores quickly and easily with MusicTime Deluxe's clear, intuitive user interface.
Updates MusicTime 4 for Windows and Mac. Passport Music Software
now available!

MagicScore

Magic Score Maestro

MagicScore music notation software offers excellent capabilities which facilitate the creation of compositions of any complexity.

Notation Composer

Easy Notation for Musicians

Notation Composer makes it easy to edit, arrange, and compose music using just your MIDI instrument or mouse. Now you can let the creative juices flow while the notes are placed into your score automatically.

Notation Musician

Serious Fun with Music

Notation Musician turns any MIDI file into great sheet music, so you can watch the notes on the screen as they play. Now it's easier than ever to see, hear, and play along with the MIDI files that you download.

Sibelius

Sibelius 7 & Sibelius First

The complete software for writing, playing, printing and publishing music notation. Whatever your musical style, Sibelius makes writing scores a breeze - giving you more time to focus on the music.

Finale 2010

Finale MakeMusic!

Powerful music-notation software with extensive note-entry options • Compose, arrange, notate, and print engraver-quality sheet music.

Songwriter 2010

Finale Songwriter

Music-making software for songwriters, band directors, students, and other musicians. Play MIDI keyboard and see music appear instantly; import and export MIDI and MusicXML files.

Guitar Pro 5

Tablature Editor

Guitar Pro is a multitrack tablature editor for guitar, banjo and bass. Besides writing scores, Guitar Pro is a useful resource for guitarists from beginner to experienced levels to progress , compose , or simply accompany themselves.

Encore Notation

New GVox Encore 5!

Music Notation Software - complete scoring features, auto part extraction, MIDI and VSTi playback keep you in control. Updates Encore 5.0.2 Windows and 5.0.5 Mac now available!

Robert Poli
The Secret Life of Musical Notation: Defying Interpretive Traditions

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Amadeus Press (April 15, 2010)
Language: English

The original discoveries presented in The Secret Life of Musical Notation: Defying Interpretive Traditions have generated one fundamental conclusion: the long-standing interpretation of several of the markings commonly encountered in music as early as the 1770s may fail to reveal their original intentions, being the result of misconstrued readings. These misinterpretations are due precisely to traditions themselves, which are liable for reifying hearsay as accepted knowledge. Restoring the original meaning of signs and symbols in the scores can bring us closer to practices that have not gained access to musicians' vocabulary because of decades of misinformed playing and fallacious scholarship, giving us greater interpretive insight. Many contemporary musicians who have read the book believe the concepts expressed in it will have a strong impact on the way we read music. They claim that applying these concepts has made them think more thoroughly about the role of musical notation and the way they approach the printed page.

Robin Frederick
Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell

Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Taxi Music Books; 1ST edition (October 15, 2008
Language: English

Here are 126 Shortcuts that will take your songs from good to great!
Discover the melody and lyric writing techniques of today's top songwriters and learn how you can use the very same secrets to give your songs the power and edge that will make listeners want to hear them over and over again.
You'll learn... 38 proven strategies for creating powerful, unforgettable lyrics, 30 simple ways to make your melody fresh, exciting, and memorable, how to use hit songs as "ghost songs" to get quick results. Plus, there are 58 more Shortcuts to help you lay the groundwork, pick the perfect structure, and choose the chords that will give your songs even more hit potential. And there are more than 100 "Do It Now" exercises to get you started right away!

Richmond; Rudolph; Whitmore; Langol
Composing Music With Notation Book (With Data CD)

Paperback: 76 pages
Publisher: Alfred Publishing (May 21, 2007)
Language: English

Composing Music With Notation is a breakthrough method designed for elementary to high school students that can be used in a classroom setting or for individual study. Progressive and supplemental activities are included in each unit.
Complete with an accompanying data CD that contains compatible files for most music-notation software programs, Composing Music With Notation introduces and explains concepts that will help music students to have a broader understanding of the elements of music, become familiar with the operation of notation software programs, compose melodies and accompaniments on the computer, and use notation software to create their own arrangements! Best of all, no previous experience with music notation software or music theory is required!

Brian Cook
Songwriting and Music Publishing: Complete Contact Information on 180 Independent U.S. Music Publishers

Paperback: 72 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (October 20, 2007)
Language: English

If you are not a performing songwriter, you will probably want to send most of your demo packages to music publishers.
A music publisher's main job is to get a client's songs recorded and do everything possible to help the song become a commercial success. And, if you're new to the business of trying to get your songs published, you may want to seek out independent publishers, known as "Indies". There are always exceptions to the rule but, in general, you'll be wasting your time pitching your songs to the major labels. This book, "Songwriting and Music Publishing: Complete Contact Information on 180 Independent U.S. Music Publishers," can help you get your songs listened to faster than you ever imagined.

Theresa Sauer
Theresa Sauer Notations 21

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Mark Batty Publisher (April 30, 2009)
Language: English

Drawing inspiration from John Cage's Notations , Notations 21 features illustrated musical scores from more than 100 international composers, all of whom are making amazing breakthroughs in the art of notation. These spectacularly beautiful and fascinatingly creative visual pieces not only make for exciting music, but inspiring visual art as well. The scores are accompanied by written contributions from the artists that explore every facet of their creative processes, from inspiration to execution. Contributors include the likes of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Earle Brown, Halim El-Dabh, Joan La Barbara, and Yuji Takahashi, as well as emerging composers whose compositions are also visually astounding and important. In the spirit of honoring the 40th anniversary of Cage's seminal book, while furthering it in a 21st century context, a portion of the sales will be donated to the Foundation for Contemporary Performing Arts.

Michael Miller
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Alpha (October 4, 2005)
Language: English

Write the songs that make the whole world sing.
A step-by-step guide to writing music, this book shows musicians how to compose simple chord progressions and melodies, and leads them through more advanced compositional techniques and musical forms. Designed for composers of all types of music, it includes instruction on composing stand-alone melodies, using different scales and modes, themes and variations, orchestration, and composing for film, theater, and videogames.
· Perfect complement to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Songwriting
· Includes a comprehensive glossary of musical terms, as well as an appendix of various computer-based composition tools
· Easy-to-use oversize trim
About the Author:
Michael Miller attended the prestigious Jazz Studies Program at the Indiana University School of Music. A former percussion instructor and working drummer, he is also an accomplished composer and arranger. He is the author of more than 30 books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing Drums, Second Edition, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory, Second Edition, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Singing, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solos and Improvisation.

Michael Miller
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Alpha; 2nd edition (September 6, 2005)
Language: English

This updated and expanded edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition includes:
· A brand-new CD
· A comprehensive ear-training section
· Musical examples of intervals, scales, chords, and rhythms
· Aural exercises so readers can test their ear training and transcription skills

Joel Hirschhorn
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting. 2nd Edition

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Alpha; 2nd edition (May 4, 2004)
Language: English

The most thorough guide to songwriting for the amateur musician. Written by an Oscar-winning and Grammy and Tony award nominated author, this is the most comprehensive book for today's amateur musician who is interested in creating and writing his or her own songs. It reveals everything the reader needs to know, including coming up with ideas, rhyming schemes, hooks, melodies, and lyrics; selling songs; working in the industry; and even coming up with titles.
About the Author:
Joel Hirschhorn is the winner of two Academy Awards for Best Song. His songs have sold more than 93 million records and have been recorded by such artists as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, and Julian Lennon. He has scored numerous movies, has garnered several additional Oscar nominations for Best Song, and has been nominated for two Tony Awards for his musical scores. He does regular scores for the television shows JAG, South Park, and The Simpsons.

Michael Lydon
Songwriting Success: How to Write Songs for Fun and (Maybe) Profit

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Routledge; Pap/Com edition (May 26, 2004)
Language: English

Everyone dreams of being a successful songwriter. In every city and town, down the block in every neighborhood, someone is taking a guitar in hand and dreaming of a career as a songwriter. While many will not become world famous (or even locally well-known) through their songwriting, there's no reason why they-and you-can't enjoy writing their own songs. For creative challenges, life-long learning, and just plain fun, nothing beats writing (and singing and playing) your own songs.
Assuming no musical knowledge, Songwriting Success breaks down the craft of melody and lyric writing into easily digested lessons that anyone can follow. This book shows the beginning songwriter how to integrate the craft's many skills into a seamless artistic and commercial whole.
Lydon also has recorded a special CD taking the budding songwriter who can't read music (or prefers to learn by listening) step-by-step through the writing of a song-from initial idea through crafting melodic hooks and catchy choruses to creating a final "demo" version for marketing the song. This invaluable learning aid sets apart Songwriting Success from the competing titles that don't feature an audio component. Also includes 25 musical examples.

Tom Gerou, Linda Luskx
Essential Dictionary of Music Notation: The Most Practical and Concise Source for Music Notation

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (December 1996)
Language: English

This pocket-sized dictionary presents current and correct notation practices in an easy-to-use format. Generously illustrated and concise, this book is essential to any musician looking for a handy reference for the correct notation of music.
A most welcome and beneficial source for every musician, whether using a pencil or a computer.

George Heussenstamm
Norton Manual of Music Notation

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; 1st edition (February 17, 1987)
Language: English

This book is essential for all composers and arrangers. My book covers all essential aspects of traditional music notation. My experience as a teacher of music theory at the college level has shown that students of composition are very weak in their knowledge of the rights and wrongs of music notation. My book serves to correct this fault in a clear and concise manner. Even for those composers who produce musical scores on a computer program, they must have a clear grasp of notational principles, since the computer does not know all of the rules. A score that is correct in every way in terms of notation is extremely important if you expect to receive performance.
George Heussenstamm

Ron Gorow
Hearing and Writing Music: Professional Training for Today's Musician

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: September Publishing; 2nd edition (September 2002)
Language: English

A self-training manual as well as a classroom text, this book is a complete step-by-step course to develop the musician's ability to hear and notate any style of music. Personal training, thoery and exercises produce techniques which are combined in an integrated craft which may be applied to composition, orchestration, arranging, improvisation and performance.
In this book you will discover: Transcribing techniques. How to maximize your creativity and productivity. How to develop your craft by consolidating techniques. How to read music with your ears. How you can write music without using an instrument. How to write music spontaneously, as your ear guides your hand. How to communicate accurately through music notation. Why you don't need "perfect pitch." Tools to develop your music perception. 140 exercises, many music examples—models for a lifetime of study. Resources for composing, orchestrating, film scoring. Working in the music business. Where to find supplies, organizations, information, inspiration. A definitive guide and reference for composers, orchestrators, arrangers and performers.
About the Author
Ron Gorow has consolidated his 40 years experience in Hollywood as a composer, orchestrator, arranger, copyist, music engraver, score proofreader, musicologist and teacher to develop the techniques presented in Hearing and Writing Music. He is a member of Professional Musicians Local 47, Recording Musicians Association, International Association of Jazz Educators and American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers.

John J. Fux
Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum

Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum)
Language: English

The most celebrated book on counterpoint is Fux's great theoretical work Gradus ad Parnassum.
Since its appearance in 1725, it has been used by and has directly influenced the work of many of the greatest composers. J. S. Bach held it in high esteem, Leopold Mozart trained his famous son from its pages, Haydn worked out every lesson with meticulous care, and Beethoven condensed it into an abstract for ready reference.