Chapter 3
Musical Scrapbooks: Writing on
Paper and Screen
In This Chapter
Papering and penciling
Capturing music with software
Comparing handwritten to computer-aided composing
Managing your files
Contrasting electronic and real instruments
T
here are not a whole lot of things worse than coming up with a great
melody line, or even the beginnings of a great song, only to forget what
you came up with simply because you didn’t write it down.You may think you’ve got a great memory for music, especially your own, but
if you don’t find some way to write down those notes or record that riff,
there’s a very good chance that the last time you hear that brand new music
might be the first and only time you play it.To avoid this kind of heartbreak and potential tragic loss for humanity, get
in the habit of getting every idea you ever have down somehow — recorded,
written, typed, whatever. This is so important we are dedicating this chapter
to it.Writing It Down ..............................................................................................
There’s an easy way to keep from losing those beautiful moments of inspira-
tion, and that is to keep a pad of paper and a pencil or pen with you at all
times. It only takes a few seconds to write down that engaging little melody
or riff that’s been banging around in your head.