don't play on a music score nyt

Neter

2 min read

·

23-11-2024

1

0

Share

The Perils of Performing Directly on a Music Score

Many musicians, especially those starting out, have the habit of writing directly onto their sheet music. Whether it's marking fingerings, dynamics, or phrasing, the score becomes a working document, reflecting the evolution of their interpretation. However, this seemingly innocuous practice can have significant, long-term consequences. This article explores why playing directly on a music score is a bad idea and offers alternatives for annotating your musical materials.

Why You Shouldn't Write on Your Scores

• Damage to the Score: The most obvious consequence is physical damage. Pen marks, smudges, and even accidental tears can deface a valuable piece of sheet music. This reduces its resale value significantly, making it difficult to recoup your investment if you decide to sell or trade it.
• Loss of Original Integrity: The pristine state of a musical score holds historical and artistic importance. Marks made directly on the score can obscure the composer's original intent, making future study or analysis challenging.
• Difficulty in Sharing: If you're working with others, a marked-up score can make collaboration difficult. Your annotations might confuse others, and their annotations will obscure yours.
• Limited Flexibility: Your annotations reflect a single interpretation. If you want to explore different approaches or revisit the piece later with a fresh perspective, your scribbled marks might hinder that process.
• Reduced Resale Value: As mentioned previously, damaged scores are worth considerably less. A clean, unmarked copy will always be more desirable to a buyer.

Better Alternatives for Annotating Your Music

Instead of directly marking your printed score, consider these alternatives:

• Use a Pencil: A light pencil can be used to make annotations that can be easily erased. This allows for flexibility and experimentation without causing permanent damage. However, even pencil marks can accumulate and damage a score over time.

• Use a Separate Notebook: Keep a dedicated notebook to record your practice notes, fingerings, and interpretations. This allows you to keep a clean original score, while allowing space for a detailed record of your progress and interpretation.

• Digital Annotation: Many musicians now use digital scores on tablets or computers. These platforms often provide tools for making annotations that can be saved, edited, and shared easily. Software like Sibelius and Dorico allow detailed annotations.

• Use Sticky Notes: Place sticky notes on the sheet music. This allows you to add notes and remove them easily.

• Highlighters: For marking sections or phrases for emphasis, use a highlighter. Highlighters are less likely to damage the score than pens. However, excessive highlighting will also reduce resale value.

Protecting Your Investment: Long-Term Considerations

Ultimately, preserving your sheet music is an investment in your musical journey. By avoiding the habit of writing directly on scores and adopting a more thoughtful approach to annotation, you safeguard your musical materials and make your work easier. Remember, clean, well-preserved scores are a valuable asset for both personal enjoyment and potential resale.

Conclusion

Protecting your music scores is essential for any serious musician. By adopting simple strategies to prevent writing directly on your scores, you'll ensure you are able to preserve and enjoy your musical investments for years to come. Remember, a clean score is a valuable asset, both for your personal use and future resale. So, keep your pencils sharp, your notes organized, and your scores pristine.