What size printer and paper is best for conductor pages?

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Joe Kerestan Posted October 31, 2016 16:37

I have been writing concert band music (including the conductor's) by hand and am ready to try Finale. Coincidently, my old hp printer stopped and I need to buy a new one. I assume the band parts normally fit on the standard size 8.5 x 11 copy paper. However I am concerned about the conductor's scores and paper size. My conductor's page usually has 16 (and sometimes 18) staves. My question: In order to show all these band parts/staves on the conductor's page(s), should I be using longer paper such a s legal-size (8.5" x 14") - and thus requiring me to purchase a larger printer to handle this legal size paper? You would think these conductor pages would require taller paper, right? Or, if not, would the 16-18 staves just be shrunk very small on standard size paper? Can't get started until I know which size paper to use. My computer is hp Pro and I use Windows 8.1. Thank you.

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Martin Haub Posted October 31, 2016 23:53

When I prepare scores for my use as a conductor, 11 x 8.5 is simply too small - you cannot see it. What I do is print the score that way, then take it to a FedEx office with a good copier and enlarge it to 11 x 17. It works fine. Even double sided is possible, That's what I prefer in size now. I've tried the 8.5 x 14 in my printer, but didn't like it. And a printer to handle 11 x 17 is really expensive. So my work-around. Sometimes 8.5 x 11 is ok when I use a smaller orchestra and/or combine parts (like clarinet 1 & 2) on the same stave.

MIKE HALLORAN Edited November 01, 2016 00:13

I'll leave the 'what size is right' question to others.

Tabloid is 11" x 17" and tabloid printers can handle specialty papers up to 13" x 19" You can get printer/scanners for $200 and up. Larger gets pretty expensive but, if you have the need, they're out there. HP used to make inexpensive inkjets but I don't see them at HP.com—still available at office supply outlets, though.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/754435/HP-Officejet-7612-Wide-Format-Wireless/

https://www.amazon.com/HP-OfficeJet-Wireless-Printing-G3J47A/dp/B01F57CVIQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477958693&sr=8-3&keywords=hp+7110+wide+format+printer

If you are going to print large numbers of pages, laser printers are more cost effective than inkjet.

JAY MEACHUM Posted June 30, 2017 03:39

The Conductors I write for like 11x17 Tabloid size (always use 80 text or 32lb bond in weight). I prefer it too, when conducting. I just purchased a Canon Pixma iX6820 on Amazon for $120. BEST printer I've ever owned. Ink is cheap too. Looks like my laser printer printed it. Just couldn't afford a wide body Laser. One other size to consider is using 12x18 paper (I call it Double Concert as Concert is 9x12) That size would look great with a heavier orchestration. I also use Double Concert to print 2up (2 pages side by side) to avoid having to tape pages. I get my paper from a local store of www.verativ.com. Check them out.

Good luck!

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