Introduction to Music Notation Software
Share your musical ideas!
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm - Grade 7 - 12 - Tuition: $150
If you're interested in learning more about this class click the button below and fill out the form!
Music notation is a centuries-old art form and tradition that has evolved as way for musicians to record and communicate their musical ideas. Music notation software is a modern day extension of that tradition and is a useful tool for musicians, composers and teachers. With music notation software, you can create new musical compositions; make arrangements of existing pieces for various instruments; play back your compositions and arrangements and print out your work to share and perform with other musicians.
In this workshop, we will learn the basics of music notation using MuseScore to:
Requirements:
Ability to read music on at least one clef. A laptop with MuseScore (a free download) installed.
In this workshop, we will learn the basics of music notation using MuseScore to:
- create a score for various instruments.
- enter notes and chords, pitches and rhythms, rests and accidentals.
- play back and evaluate your work.
- edit and add to your score.
- add dynamics, phrasing and articulations.
- create special parts for vocals, guitar and percussion.
- introduce special topics, such as composing, arranging and creating individual parts from a score.
- The workshop will culminate in a final project in which students will arrange or transcribe a piece for an ensemble or solo instrument.
Requirements:
Ability to read music on at least one clef. A laptop with MuseScore (a free download) installed.
If you're interested in learning more about this class click the button below and fill out the form!
a b o u t t h e i n s t r u c t o r . . .

Ken Pasciak is a guitarist, music theorist, composer and arranger. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Ken began his musical studies as a trumpet player, performing in various concert bands, jazz ensembles and brass quintets. Though a talented trumpeter, musical interests and opportunities led him to the guitar. As a student of jazz guitarist, Frank Gerard, he not only learned the mechanics of playing, but the reasoning behind the sounding pitches. Ken recalls that in many lessons with Frank, discussions of musical concepts were just as stimulating as playing the music itself. His newfound enthusiasm for music theory led him to study music at the University of Buffalo. He has since performed on guitar with several groups, including Blue Fuzz, a Buffalo-based jazz-fusion band, and The Genkin Philharmonic, an electro-acoustic chamber ensemble. He also briefly studied and performed on the shamisen during an extended visit to Sapporo, Japan.
Recently, Ken earned a Master of Music degree with a concentration in music theory from the University of Massachusetts. His thesis, “A Transformational Approach to Japanese Traditional Music of the Edo Period,” develops a novel voice-leading space that yields insights into musical intervallic structure, trichordal transposition and hexachordal voice leading. His other research interests include the music of Ravel and Takemitsu.
Ken is the guitarist for La Rebelión del Tango, a Vermont-based tango group that performs the music of Astor Piazzolla. When not performing or theorizing, he composes and arranges music for classical and jazz guitar, as well as for various ensembles
Recently, Ken earned a Master of Music degree with a concentration in music theory from the University of Massachusetts. His thesis, “A Transformational Approach to Japanese Traditional Music of the Edo Period,” develops a novel voice-leading space that yields insights into musical intervallic structure, trichordal transposition and hexachordal voice leading. His other research interests include the music of Ravel and Takemitsu.
Ken is the guitarist for La Rebelión del Tango, a Vermont-based tango group that performs the music of Astor Piazzolla. When not performing or theorizing, he composes and arranges music for classical and jazz guitar, as well as for various ensembles