Jazzbolero/What can you write without testing?

[Thorolf]

Once, I had to sit down and write a dance number to a revue, just overnight, and I came up with this piece, which I wrote using only my imagination, pencil and paper, and wrote it down in one shot.

Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Trombone
String/Voice synthesizer
Guitar
Bass
Drums

I often test things on an instrument while composing, and only rarely write this way.

What are others experience with using your inner ear only when scoring?

Regards

[reith]

Very nice! Sounds like the audience liked it too.

Usually make initial sketches on paper but unless it's obvious harmony I try it aided by the piano before too long. By 'obvious' I learned a lot from transcribing pop songs, reducing bits from Delius scores and playing Debussy, to find out how it's done and I spose it sticks. At a younger age, I studied scores a lot.

If anything I score as I compose so a piano tryout is nothing more than an aid. I usually hear the score and rarely change that.