NOTATIO

OCTO wrote:David, beautiful score.

Thank you!

I used to use them, as in the scanned manuscript score of mine from the mid-1970s, but not now. I don't recall why I stopped using them – they're in a manuscript of mine from 1989, but not in one from 1994.

… … Perhaps. Also, keep in mind that I'm no pianist. My distinct impression is that Piano has a much freer tradition with regard to engraving conventions than other instruments. This is important to remember when attaching significance to such conventions, which, in essence, are designed to work fo...

While querying neither John's musical nor his pianistic analysis, I'm potentially doubtful of his analysis of Beethoven's writing motivation regarding stem directions, S-shaped slurs and one or two other things; although none of us can be certain of what was going on in his mind or indeed in the ref...

… … … What do you think, David? I think that there are probably musical situations and types of ensemble in which a standardized 'whole bar note' might work very efficiently, irrespective of the varying time signatures; but for the most part, and after further thought, I agree that it's likely to b...

John Ruggero wrote:Or make it a double whole note. Will anyone complain?

A breve (ie double whole note) is perhaps the most traditional-seeming answer that ought to fit most situations, if not as elegant as Crumb's before & after (or multiple) dots.

MJCube wrote:… … …  Is there a tool for this in Finale?

I'm not trying to answer on behalf of John, but, yes, it is very quick & easy to move noteheads horizontally, independently of the stem, with the Notehead Position Tool in Finale.

That might work for pianists, but what about some notation that would be clear in single line orchestral parts as “a new kind of note …” as you suggested above?

John Ruggero wrote:A good case could be made for a new kind of note that fills out an entire measure of any meter, corresponding to a "whole measure rest".

Definitely.

Triple dots can be found in Bruckner, although always followed in the bar by the short note to even things up. Usually a triple-dotted minim (1/2) = one and 7/8 minim, followed by a semiquaver (1/16) = the remaining 1/8 of the minim &c. Crumb seems to be following the same principle with his tri...