August 2011 - Composer's Toolbox

Tool #11: Finale Script Cover Page Generator

DanLisMusic Posted on August 30, 2011January 19, 2019

If you are a Finale user who hates mass repetitive tasks, you will find much relief in even the simplest of scripts in Finale Script. For example, I wanted to create a cover page for each part for my orchestral piece in order to make things look good for the players (every little bit helps, […]

Form Harmony Melody Orchestration Psychology of Music Theory Tools for Composers

Tool #10: Additive Processes

DanLisMusic Posted on August 27, 2011

In this post I’d like to go back to an idea referenced in Tools #3 and #3.1: generating a list of techniques for motivic development. One such technique is actually a technique with a large standalone reputation, especially in more modern/postmodern music. This technique is the “additive process”. Some pieces are additive processes alone. Frederic Rzewski’s […]

Technology Tools for Composers

Tool #9: Logic 8 in Mac OSX Lion Compatibility

DanLisMusic Posted on August 24, 2011

Just a quick post about getting Logic 8 to run in Mac OSX Lion. After the upgrade to OSX Lion, Logic Pro 8 won’t run. To the best of my knowledge, this isn’t because it is inherently incompatible with OSX Lion, but rather because Apple doesn’t want you to use it in Lion for some […]

Professional Development Technology Tools for Composers

Tool #8: Artsjournal.com

DanLisMusic Posted on August 24, 2011

Staying informed and active in the artistic community is a great tool for success professionally and artistically. Part of this includes keeping current with the issues, happenings, trends, and opinions of our society nowadays. So, today I’d like to introduce a cool online arts newspaper. I first heard about it at The Hartt School in […]

Form Psychology of Music Theory Tools for Composers

Tool #7: The Pre-Apex Drop

DanLisMusic Posted on August 23, 2011

Many composers, musicians, and music lovers enjoy the forms brought about through tension and release. The thrill and excitement of creating emotions and drama, all building up to a climax that is then resolved is about as natural–and human–as it gets. The theme of tension and release governs both the natural world and our lives. In […]

Instrumentation Orchestration Theory Tools for Composers

Tool #6: Some Basics on Writing for Guitar

DanLisMusic Posted on August 20, 2011

Guitar is one of the first frontiers for some composers, and one of the final frontiers for others. Most of the people who write a lot for guitar (in my experience) play it or have studied it extensively. Others have a hard time getting started, because it is so foreign to composers who don’t play […]

Harmony Melody Orchestration Theory Tools for Composers

Tool #5: Orchestrating Those Low Frequencies

DanLisMusic Posted on August 18, 2011

After Tool #4’s drier atmosphere, I figure it is time to return to more savory compositional topics. I’d like to talk about muddiness, darkness, and low frequencies, particularly relating to low-frequency-producing instruments. As we orchestrate as part of composing, we often might want a clear, intelligible sound from our large ensemble writing. (Unclear, unintelligible sound […]