Music Notation for me is not just a work, a form of art, or a form of expression. Music Notation for me is a mission!
Ever since notational softwares took the stage at the end of the last century, writing music has been in reach to so many more people. Before that, one either wrote everything by hand, or used the plate engraving technique on lead sheets.
Notational Softwares brought so many possibilities, so much power. You know the drill, though: with great power comes great responsibility. The more people started to use these softwares, the more the overall quality of music notation fell to lows not even imaginable before.
Using a software to a professional level is a serious thing, it requires work, dedication, patience, and, most of all, time! Just like with everything else, doing something well and successfully requires efforts. I recall when I started, back with Finale 2001, moving my unsure steps into this new, fascinating world. It was a “learn by doing” approach, but every time I didn’t know how to do something, I would browse the huge user manual and learn something new.
Fast-forward twenty years, and I have behind me an 11-year-long career as a music engraver for composers, publishers, and arrangers, and I am now about to share with you my greatest secret:
The scores I made yesterdays are not good enough!
This is what pushed me every day further, trying to find new defaults in the program, then editing the finest details, extracting parts to be certain I could get the best results without breaking things. Then, in 2019, I started to use the iPad as a proofreading aid, something that, connected with the knowledge of notational rules and standards I had in my backpack, straight doubled the quality of my output.
I now want to be able to pass this knowledge on to any of you who would like to learn how to use a notational software properly, or to anyone who would like to be helped with a piece they are currently engraving.
WHO THIS ISN’T FOR
Theoretically, there is no limit, but if I have to put one requirement, it is that you are a patient person, and that you are willing to learn new things. If you prefer smashing buttons until things work (or break), this service is not for you.
WHO THIS IS FOR
- Players who would like to write out a cadence for their solo concerto, who would like to arrange or modify a piece they are about to play, or improve the quality of the score they are playing on.
- Composers who either prefer to write by hand (the best choice, still, at least artistically speaking) and would like to get their hands dirty with computers or who already engrave their scores and would like to dramatically improve their level.
- Arrangers who would like to elevate their engraving skills and thus provide better products to their customers.
Lessons are now finally available and will be help through Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype. We will use either Sibelius or Dorico (Finale will come later). In case you just need a quick suggestion on how to do something in the software, I have created a 15 minutes long lesson just for that. If you require more, increments of up to one hour are available.
You can get started at this link and, upon confirmation of the purchase, you will be brought to my contact page from where you will be able to let me know when you would like to get your lesson. If I don’t hear from you, I will contact you at the e-mail address used for the purchase. If we cannot find a good moment for the lesson, you will get a full refund.
Should you have any question, please ask them here below in the comments.
Lessons are available in Italian, English, and French.
I can’t wait to see what you will be achieving after our time together!
Thank you
Music Preparation Services 
One thought on “Music Notation Lessons now available!”