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How to Develop Printing Press Music

The ability to print music was developed during the Renaissance. The first musical score was printed in 1473 using a woodblock press. Gutenberg's printing press, using moveable type, was invented in 1450 and revolutionized the literary world, but it was ill-suited to printing music. Printers continued to develop new technologies and eventually created lithographs in the early 1900s. Each new development has made the process faster and more profitable and made printed music more accessible to the people. Creating a woodblock and lithographic print takes a great deal of time and patience, but the intensive work can be rewarding and result in a beautiful handmade print.

Things You'll Need

  • 8-inch by 11-inch woodblock
  • Wood-carving knife
  • Paintbrush
  • Black ink
  • 8-inch by 11-inch blank paper
  • 8-inch by 11-inch water-absorbing limestone block
  • Heavy-oil black ink
  • Rubber gloves
  • Gum arabic
  • Water
  • Paint roller
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Instructions

    • 1

      Carve the musical notation into the woodblock. The musical notes and staves should be raised from the rest of the woodblock. Using a wood-carving knife, carefully carve away what would be the blank space around and between the musical notes and line. This is a painstaking process that takes a great deal of artistic skill and patience. It may be helpful to look a musical score for reference. It also helpful to remove the wood slowly in layers to lessen the possibility of mistakes.

    • 2

      Paint ink onto the the raised face of the woodblock with the paintbrush. Press the ink-covered side of the woodblock onto a piece of paper while the ink is still wet. Wait one minute and carefully remove the block from the paper.

    • 3

      Paint the musical notation onto the limestone block in heavy-oil black ink, using a paint brush. Use a musical score for reference and to be certain the spacing and notes are correct. Wear rubber gloves while creating the limestone lithograph.

    • 4

      Apply gum arabic to the areas around the musical staves. Wet these areas with water. Dip a paint roller into the heavy-oil black ink and roll it over the limestone block. The greasy ink will only stick to the oily musical notation and repel the water-saturated blank areas.

    • 5

      Drape a piece of blank paper over the limestone block. Press the paper down firmly and wait two minutes. Peel the paper off the block slowly.

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