Copyist
Encyclopedia
A copyist is a person who makes written copies. In ancient times, a scrivener was also called a calligraphus
(pl. calligraphi). The term's modern use is almost entirely confined to music copyists, who are employed by the music industry to produce neat copies from a composer
or arranger's manuscript.
pen, manuscript paper
, and often a ruler. In the 1990s, copyists began using scorewriter
s - computer programs which are the music notation equivalent of a word processor. (Such programs include Finale
, Sibelius or GNU LilyPond
).
Both handwritten and computer-based copying require a significant understanding of musical notation
, music theory
, the musical styles and conventions of different styles of music (e.g., regarding appropriate ornamentation), and strong attention to detail and past conventions. Ludwig van Beethoven
had a contentious relationship with his copyists, who often made mistakes that have remained uncorrected until the advent of Urtext editions; some musicologists have devoted a lot of effort to identifying Beethoven's copyists.
Calligraphus
A calligraphus was an ancient copyist or scrivener, who transcribed correctly and in its entirety what the notaries had taken down in notes, or minutes—duties similar to the modern work of engrossing....
(pl. calligraphi). The term's modern use is almost entirely confined to music copyists, who are employed by the music industry to produce neat copies from a composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
or arranger's manuscript.
Music copyists
Until the 1990s, most copyists worked by hand to write out scores and individual instrumental parts neatly, using a calligraphyCalligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
pen, manuscript paper
Manuscript paper
Manuscript paper is paper preprinted with staves ready for musical notation. Manuscript paper is also available for drum notation and guitar tabulature. The treble clef is used for many band instruments including the saxophone,sitar, trumpet, clarinet and flute...
, and often a ruler. In the 1990s, copyists began using scorewriter
Scorewriter
A scorewriter, or music notation program, is software used for creating sheet music.A scorewriter is to music notation what a word processor is to text.-Comparison with multitrack sequencer software:...
s - computer programs which are the music notation equivalent of a word processor. (Such programs include Finale
Finale (computer program)
Finale is the flagship program of a series of proprietary scorewriters created by MakeMusic for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Finale is regarded as one of the industry standards for notation software....
, Sibelius or GNU LilyPond
GNU LilyPond
GNU LilyPond is a computer program for music engraving. One of LilyPond's major goals is to produce scores that are engraved with traditional layout rules, reflecting the era when scores were engraved by hand....
).
Both handwritten and computer-based copying require a significant understanding of musical notation
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
, music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
, the musical styles and conventions of different styles of music (e.g., regarding appropriate ornamentation), and strong attention to detail and past conventions. Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
had a contentious relationship with his copyists, who often made mistakes that have remained uncorrected until the advent of Urtext editions; some musicologists have devoted a lot of effort to identifying Beethoven's copyists.