Writing for a musical

[Stake]

So I'm writing a short and it contains some parts where the actor has to sing. I was wondering if there is a conventional way to show this on paper? (without being too technical with notes etc)

Currently I have this system:

~ Hold note short
~~ Hold note medium
~~~ Hold note long

So I put the lines after the word I want them to hold. But this seems a little simple really, and would rely on a lot of direction on set. I want it to be slightly more obvious on how I want them to sing it. (Without taking away there own creative element of course).

Cheers in advance.

 

[directorik]

I've written musicals for both stage and screen. I've
never faced your specific issue. I've never, as the
writer, felt it necessary to write how long the character
holds a note.

If you are also the musical director (as well as the director)
then I can see this method working during rehearsals and
recording. Though even then it seems like overkill. Usually
the music director works with the singers during the recording
process so no notes are needed in the script at all.

 

[Stake]

Ah right ok. I'm writing and directing it so I will be working with them for the singing parts as well - I guess the rehearsal will help a lot in this situation.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dreadylocks]

Anytime I've read a musical's libretto, the way they write it is to put just the lyrics on the page, with sheet music bound separately.