Introduction to Notation Systems

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This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Sound & Music module.

Objectives[edit]

  • Student will be able to critically assess the difference between an aural cue and its visual representation
  • Student will learn the definitions of etic vs. emic; prescriptive vs. descriptive notations
  • Student will be able to identify the emic/etic and descriptive/prescriptive aspects of various notations
  • Student will assess the functionality of different notation system(s) according to specific goals (i.e. performativity vs. representation)
  • Student will be familiar with various notation systems and the main sonic aspect they annotate, notably: guitar tablature, lead sheet notation, braille music notation, and electronic notation formats such as DAW diagrams, MIDI 1.0 and MusicXML files.

Resources[edit]

Readings[edit]

Notation Explained

Histories of Western Notations


Individual Notation Types

Instructor References[edit]

Tools[edit]

Class Activities[edit]

  • Discussion and demonstration of different notation systems and their individual purposes, strengths and weaknesses
  • Transcription of a simple melody in guitar tablature (given fretboard diagrams) and braille music notation
  • Demonstration of the creation of various electronic notation formats
  • Demonstration of MIDI signals using MIDI monitor software
  • Listening and "quick" transcription of musical examples: compare to score and discuss differences based on notation's function.
  • In-class interpretation of various notations on different instruments.
  • If you have a Javanese gamelan: Have students perform from gamelan notation and illustrate non-written practices

Assignments[edit]

  • Notating short melodies in different notation systems
  • Transcription assignment: ask students to transcribe examples from various musical traditions with different aims and/or given different parameters (i.e. "notate the pitch parameter.")

Notes[edit]