There is an overwhelming urge as I near the end of a writing project: the urge to not make decisions. Decisions like dynamic markings, articulations, cutoffs.
“Let the performers decide,” I say. “Wait till you’ve heard a rehearsal.” “Wait till you’re sure.”
But all of them are false arguments against making the decision now.
If you let the performers decide, you will (sometimes, at least) disagree with their choice – when you hear them perform it… a moment when you can no longer affect the outcome.
If you wait for a rehearsal to make the decision, you will have musicians looking at unclear scores.
If you wait till you’re sure, you will surely never finish the score.
Make the decision! It won’t always be the right one, but…
If you make it, the rehearsal will be more efficient. Then you can hear and assess if it’s the right decision.
If you make it, the performers will be more confident in their interpretation, giving it a better performance.
If you make it, you will be able to finish the score, deliver it, and move on to the next composition and the next set of decisions to make.