Thank you for writing again. I missed your original post and was a bit puzzled by the comments to it.
The pipe organ is well suited to contrapuntal writing. You may not see this on the page but the performer experiences it as part of handling the instrument. Dynamics placed above the top staff will tend to indicate that a separate musical line or voice is in place. For example, we may have begun mp on both manuals. A mf above the top staff will indicate that a new idea needs strengthening. Similarly, we are playing with both hands on the same manual and a new idea occurs in the left hand that needs to be brought out. A dynamic is added below the middle staff drawing attention to the polyphony. Generally but not always the pedal clavier has its own dynamic if that differs from what the manuals are doing. Being too specific in registration has drawbacks. Hardly any two instruments have exactly the same stops available. Unless you are writing for a specific instrument avoid detailed instructions concerning registration. "Solo stop" is close enough. If you have in mind an oboe then indicate "soft reed". The player can then use what is available. If the instrument lacks a soft reed the player will know to use a "cornet compose" or perhaps a strong string that will contrast with what is otherwise in use. As a general guide indicate the volume and perhaps the character you have in mind. This is usually placed above the top staff in the upper left above the first measure. A typical quiet marking might read: Swell: Soft 8' Great: Solo flute Pedal: p 16', Sw to ped For a big tutti you could mark: Sw: Full to 15th, Mixtures Gr: ff, Sw to Gr 8', 4' Ped: Strong 16', Sw to ped, Gr to ped Several writers here have suggested asking a skilled player about questions you have. Do that. Guy Hayden _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list Finale@shsu.edu http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
