Writing by hand

I write almost all of my music out by hand before ever making a sequence or opening up a DAW.

I love using Reason and Pro Tools, but they’re not musical programs. They don’t feel creative.

The piano and a piece of manuscript paper feels creative.

So I write music out by hand at the piano (or in some cases away from the piano).

It allows me to sit and think about the music a little more. I can consider what sounds I want before putting anything on paper. It slows the process down a little bit. Writing notes takes some extra time than sequencing at least for me.

It also forces me to think a little harder because I have to imagine the end product, rather than hearing it right away. It takes more mental energy for me, which causes me to write music that is more authentic and meaningful for me.

Something else that I think is more important than people think it is; I enjoy doing it. I enjoy sitting at the piano and writing music out by hand with a paper and pencil.

So find a specific way of writing that you enjoy because enjoying the act that you’re doing matters.

ISJ