Summary of Rule Changes
Only rules that have actually been changed are included in this list. Many rules have been elaborated upon or are more fully illustrated than in the previous edition, and a number have been added.
| MBC-1997 | MBC-2015 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| G.T. Note 5 | 1.16 | "Etc." is deleted from list of signs that cancel music notation in literary context |
| 3.2 | 4.2 | Dot 3 is required if clef sign is followed by cell containing dot 1, 2, or 3 |
| 5.3 | 6.2 | Restatement of accidental not required at beginning of run-over line |
| 5.8 | 6.4 | UEB signs for accidentals are used in literary context |
| 8.7.4 | 9.3.1, 22.1.1, | Doubling may be started at bottom of page when there are three consecutive instances |
| 9.8 | 13.10.2 | Same sign used for all curved lines that do not lead to notes |
| 12.5 | 13.6.1 | Continuation sign indicates continuation of part-to-part slur |
| 12.6.1 | 13.6.2, 13.6.3 | Applies to any ambiguous transfer; "terminator" changed to "continuation" |
| 12.9 | 13.9 | Appoggiatura slurs are always included |
| 16.21.2 | 20.1.4 | Number of measures not required following segno |
| 16.21.8 | Reference to marginal star to locate segno is deleted | |
| 17.4-1 | 21.1 | Music asterisk is not excluded from bar- over-bar alignment |
| 18.3 | 21.1 | Music asterisk with or without letter/number is followed by dot 3 if next sign contains dot 1, 2, or 3; no "letter sign" before letter |
| 19.3.1 | 1.5.2 | First note after any page turnover requires an octave mark |
| 19.8 | 1.15 | Errors in print may be corrected in nonfacsimile braille |
| 20.2, 20.3 | Reference to section-by-section method is deleted | |
| 20.7.3 | 29.10.1(d) | Modified piano pedal-up sign follows rather than precedes the note |
| 22.13 | 35.8 | Backward-numeral repeats are allowed within the same parallel in vocal music |
| 22.16 | 35.5 | Merged syllables may be indicated even if not so marked in print |
| 22.17 | 35.6.1 | Difference of slurring between languages identified by "finger" signs |
| 22.19 | Reference to mute syllables in French is deleted | |
| 22.23 | 29.8 | Inclusion in solo outline of other essential marks such as fermatas is permitted |
| 22.24 | 35.12 | Blank line must separate vocal compass from music heading |
| 22.28(c) | Use of dot-4 accented letters is discontinued | |
| 22.36 | Numbers of print staves are not included | |
| 22.38.1 | 38.2 | Two-letter abbreviations are permitted in list of character names |
| 22.38.1 | 38.2 | Use of single letters c, d, f, and p as abbreviations of character names is prohibited |
| 23.10 | 25.7 | Reference to alternative fingered or open string is deleted, and reference to diamond-shaped note head for natural harmonic is added |
| 24.10 | 36.1 | Spacing device -- may be used at beginning of word line in lyrics with chord symbols |
| 24.13.3 | 36.3.2 | Spacing device -- may be used at beginning of word line in lyrics with chord symbols |
| 24.17 | 36.3.6 | The phrase "no words" is italicized or fully capitalized to show that it is not sung |
| 24.19 | 29.17.1 | Alignment of chord symbols and notes within measure is permitted |
| 24.20 | 27.1–27.5 | Alignment of chord symbols and notes in lead sheets is described in detail |
| 24.23 | 36.1.1 | Only applicable paragraphs are required in Transcriber's Notes page describing lyrics with chord symbols |
| 25.5 | 32.1.1 | Row sign in accordion music remains in force until it is contradicted, a new braille line occurs, or it follows an interruption |
| 26.4 | 33.2 | Separate page is not required for list of instruments in instrumental ensemble score |
| 26.17 | 33.4.3 | Braille segno and da capo are permitted in instrumental ensemble score |
| 26.23 | 33.2 | List of instruments is given in a two- column table in ensemble score |
| 27.17 | 30.3(k) | A blank line is required between parallels with figured bass in vertical mode |
| 28.5 | 2-cell alignment adjustment no longer permitted |