I notate by hand on occasion. It's easier sometimes. I can just take down the rhythm first, with sticks, and get the notes after, by putting a blob on the staff. (Or put down the pitches first with a hash mark, and go back to give it a time value.)

If someone else has to read it...I go straight to my PrintMusic program. It IS a pain to clean it up, but sometimes it's much quicker to play a melody in than to write it or point-and-click it.

I guess I use hand notation for myself, when I want to write down an unfamiliar piece of music, and I use the computer program when I expect someone else to read it.

I am so glad that 90% of the time, all I need is a chord chart for the musicians I play with. They mostly think like I do---that the written notes are just a suggestion. Heh heh. --Jean