Proofreading sheet music
This is kind of a question about creating sheet music in general, but I was wondering if anyone knows a good resource for how to proofread sheet music.
I'm a writer, so I kind of know how to be like "okay this read through I'm looking for punctuation and grammar errors, then I'm going to think about diction and run-on sentences, etc..." but I'm kind of just winging in when it comes to writing music.
In my case, I'm not composing, I adapt existing music into sheet music so I can play it. I need like a basic checklist, all the better if it's musescore oriented, that includes things like "condense all the rests, adjust spacing, flip your ties so they fit better," and all other manner of things that I'm sure I'm missing since I lack a technical background in music.
Does anyone know if a thing like this exists?
Comments
This answer will address only a small part of your needs, but the best "proof reading" tool I have found is to listen to the arrangement via MIDI.
It will not solve all the details you are asking about, but it will finds error such as missing accidentals and ties.
In reply to This answer will address… by xavierjazz
My technique is to use a multi-pass approach, using hard copies of the original and the transcription side by side. I check one type of content per pass. The order varies, but could be
Pass 1, note pitches and durations (helped by playback proof listening).
Pass 2, note and rest groupings
Pass 3, text directions - tempo marks, expressions, repeats and jumps
Pass 4, articulations - slurs, staccatto, accents etc.
Pass 5, ornaments
Pass 6, dynamics
It helps to keep track of where you are if you can duplicate the layout of the original score in the transcription so that system and page breaks etc are in the same place, but that is not always possible. I also find it helps to say out loud what I see in the original as I work through each pass (best to do that when you are alone, or you get odd looks). It is a tedious job.
Alternatively, just put the raw proof parts in front of a bunch of musicians and ask them to play them. They will gleefully tell you where the mistakes are.
Good luck.
In reply to My technique is to use a… by SteveBlower
... "Alternatively, just put the raw proof parts in front of a bunch of musicians and ask them to play them. They will gleefully tell you where the mistakes are." ...
Ah, yes, although many players are just too busy to "proofread". :)