I make a big distinction between music that is to be sightread in performance and music that can be rehearsed several times. For me this distinction affects not only note spelling--the issue here--but also page layout. For music to be performed at sight or on only one readthrough, I will simplify spelling (this problem arises most often in diminished constructions or substitute harmonies) unless the simplification is grossly misleading (of course, I will do the F# in G minor). As Hiro says, to write a B in the key of Gb in a normal context is misleading. I will also strive more to fit a phrase or a half-phrase on a single line. I will often end a page before the bottom in order to end with a rest where a page can be turned easily, and I avoid anything beyond the simplest "roadmaps," especially avoiding a reverse page turn. For music to be performed after several rehearsals, I tend to use the "theoretical" spellings more often, and I am slightly more loose about the phrase/half-phrase thing. I will still try to end a page on a rest if there is to be a turn, though ;-) Here's a question--I find myself writing fewer "roadmaps" in general since using software. Cut-and-paste works well! Some people rag on me for this since they want to know if something is a recap or some such. My response is always "if you can't tell what it is, turn your ears on--it's tonal music" or some such. Simple repeats with 1st and 2nd endings, ok--but much beyond that, I'm writin' it out. If something is meant to be a Coda, I may mark it as such, but that's about it. Am I alone in my abandonment of roadmaps? Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of dhbailey
Sent: Mon 18-Apr-05 7:42
To: finale@shsu.edu
Cc:
Subject: Re: [Finale] notation question
Eden - Lawrence D. wrote:
> Fellow Listers,
>
> I am often undecided about using sharps as accidentals in flat keys
and
> using flats in sharp keys.
>
> I prefer to simplify the notation, substituting B for Cb, for
example, but
> I want to know what is the "correct" way to make the decision.
>
> I want my parts to be easily read and played correctly, but I don't
want
> to violate the rules of theory..
Sometimes you can't resolve your last statement satisfactorily, any more
than you can simplify your verbal writing in English, using only the
word "to" whenever you want that sound regardless of the meaning you
intend.
If you want the part easily and correctly read, you also have to take
into consideration the people who will be reading it -- most advanced
amateurs and certainly any professional worthy of cashing a paycheck
will have no problem reading Cb. 10-year-old beginners will definitely
have a problem, until they are taught how to play it and then it will
never be a problem again.
For my 2-cents'-worth, I think you should stick to the rules of music
theory as much as possible. If the spelling of the harmony calls for a
Cb, regardless of the key signature, that's what you should use. That
way if some confusion over what is intended arises, you have made your
meaning as clear as possible.
--
David H. Bailey
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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