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You mean I have to notate it?
Accidentals frequently cause problems in computerised scores. Some programs do not automatically adjust all repeated notes in a bar after an accidental has been added at the beginning.
Example 6: Incorrect. A natural sign was placed before the first B; however the others have defaulted to B flat.
Example 7: Correct: every B in the passage has been made natural.
Enharmonic changes are another frequent problem when extracting parts for transposing instruments from a score. You need to edit each part carefully before printing.
Drum and percussion sounds have to be mapped to appear on the correct lines of the stave and with the appropriate note heads. This is often overlooked in the editing process.
Example 8: A sequenced drum part that has not been edited.
Example 9: The same drum part after the correct drum map settings have been made.
Page set-up
Title. Add the title in the centre and composer at the top right.
Tempo. Insert the performance and tempo indications at the top left.
Page number. Add page numbers at the bottom centre.
Bars. Don't cram too many bars per line (4-8 is recommended).
Cues
When you are writing for an orchestra or ensemble, use instruments that are physically close to each other to cue an entry. For example, if a tuba player has 120 bars' rest, do not give a flute solo 20 bars before the tuba entry as the cue. The tuba player cannot see the flautist, so may miss the cue. It is preferable to give a trumpet cue, even if it is 80 bars before the tuba entry, as the tuba can see the trumpet player lift the instrument and begin to play. This way the player can follow the cue and double check bar counting. Similarly, the first violins can take their cue from a cello solo.
Choreography of page turns
Give careful attention to the formatting of ensemble and orchestral parts. Make sure page turns do not occur in all parts simultaneously: a flurry of sound and movement can be very distracting. Some instruments, for example the cello, have "large movement" page turns, whilst others can turn very quickly, for example, trumpet or flute.
Aim for a performance in which page turns go unnoticed by the audience.
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