NOTATIO

Thank you. Gould must be mistaken about that, or it’s just her opinion.


I would have to look at that part of Gould’s book before dismissing it. She could be referring to a different usage of the term.


Right. She says if an instrument is playing in rhythmic or harmonic unison to use the ...

Thank you. Gould must be mistaken about that, or it’s just her opinion.

Is “col” or “w/“ instrument still used to indicate the player is harmonizing or playing the same rhythm with others? While some engravers may argue whether it should or shouldn’t be done, a retired Hollywood session keyboardist told me it’s only shorthand for the copyist and not used in the above ...

To be fair, someone said the orchestrator wants, “a certain dynamic phrasing and subtle connectedness to the tremolo and pizz that may or may not be executed without them,” but I still think it’s unnecessary. In the same way harp slurs probably make no practical difference.

But also, the wind slurs ...

Why did Danny Troob put slurs over tremolo and pizz. (also repeated notes but they’re not that bad)? I thought it’s frowned upon to do so. Players know how to phrase music, especially simple ones such as these, so I don’t really see the point. (Colors of the Wind sketch)

See Music Engraving Tips’ “Why You Should Break the Middle of the Bar” on YouTube for why it usually should be 4+4, unless there’s a good reason not to.

Great, thanks. I’ve also been informed that it’s indeed best to write them in F and leave the exact transposition to the player.

Wikipedia claims Wagner tubas go below the horns in an orchestral score when they’re doubled by hornists, but if not doubled they go above the tubas and are named “contrabass tubas.” That seems unnecessary and unhelpful. Can’t they just stay in the same place? In my score (below), they’re not ...

Why does it seem frowned upon to number every measure in concert music? I asked the question in Music Engraving Tips (MET) and the general response I got was, “concert musicians aren’t used to it.” Yeah, but wouldn’t it save so much time to instantly know where you are (since every bar is numbered ...

Thank you. I use Gould as well but don’t trust everything she says, which is fine, of course. Since I’m new here, does this site have a “like” function, akin to Facebook’s? I guess there’s no “read” indication either. The only way I know if someone replied is to stay logged in, or to check my email.