Skip to Content

Eric Whitacre

Composer, Conductor, Lecturer

Blog

Midi Mock-ups and the Modern Composer

July 31, 2010 at 4:44 am UTC

My great friend Steve Bryant has written an excellent blog post on the use of midi mock-ups as a compositional tool – really a must-read for any emerging composers out there. And I think just about anyone will get a kick out of hearing his pieces first as rough midi sketches followed immediately by recordings of the actual piece. It’s startling (and comforting) to hear the difference.

Click here for the post.

  • http://www.youtube.com/xoclkox Courtney Lea K

    THIS was helpful! lol I use Finale Notepad to write almost everything and I always think twice about everything I write. Either because it sounds fishy on the program itself or I just have a brainfart and can't come up with anything.

    All in all – this definitely helped me out! Thank you!

  • Jeremiah Witte

    Eric, have you been experimenting with Sibelius? I know you received it a while ago, but I wasn't sure what you thought about it.

    I commented to Steve Bryant about this, but I definitely think notation programs can be limiting in the early stages of a piece. I've enjoyed using pencil and paper much more. That way the tempo and meter can be the least of my worries.

    It'd be great to hear some MIDI sketches of your pieces, too!

  • Tessy

    VERY helpful and informative!! I use Finale Notepad and Sibelius as well (that is when I am nowhere near a piano) – both have their pros and their cons, like any notating program. I also have the same problems as Courtney has (it feels good not to be alone). Sometimes the sound is not completely what I had in mind, and then I try to rework it, and then I start to over think it, and then I trash it. It's a never-ending cycle. That's one reason I can't wait to go back to school – they have pianos there that I can use! :) Thank you so much for sharing this (and thank you Steve Bryant for writing the blog!).

Virtual Choir 4: Bliss

Eric on Facebook

About Eric

Eric Whitacre is one of the most popular and performed composers of our time, a distinguished conductor, broadcaster and public speaker. His first album as both composer and conductor on Decca/Universal, Light & Gold, won a Grammy® in 2012, reaped unanimous five star reviews and became the no. 1 classical album in the US and UK charts within a week of release... full bio

Connect With Eric