Originally Posted by spherenine

For composing multiple parts without amazing piano skills, a notation program can be very helpful. You just input the notes for as many parts as you want, and the computer plays it back. Finale Notepad is a free notation program, and both MakeMusic and Sibelius make great programs that can cost you a bit of cash.

On the subject of intermittently being embarrassed by your music, I think that happens to everybody (I know it happens to me). The key is to stop listening to Beethoven and put on some John Williams (I kid, I kid). Seriously, though, I would just not look at the piece for a while, and only come back to it after a few weeks. Time apart makes the heart grow fonder, y'know?