“Portraits in Beams and Barlines: Critical Music Editing and the Art of Notation”

[bophead]

Just stumbled upon this, might be of interest for someone.

https://www.academia.edu/33614433/Portr ... f_Notation

In case you do not have an ACADEMIA account you can log in via Google account if you have the latter.

[John Ruggero]

Thanks, bophead. It was interesting to learn of the new critical editions of Cole Porter, Amy Beach etc. I just wish the article hadn't been written in academese. Most of these from Academia wind up in my trash on a general principle: if you can't express it simply and clearly, it probably isn't worth expressing.

[JJP]

if you can't express it simply and clearly, it probably isn't worth expressing.

That could be good advice for notating as well!

[Fred G. Unn]

I just wish the article hadn't been written in academese. Most of these from Academia wind up in my trash on a general principle: if you can't express it simply and clearly, it probably isn't worth expressing.

Reminds me of one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips:

[bophead]

To be honest, I did not read this article myself. I stumbled upon it while looking for something else on ACADEMIA and after a quick scan of the first pages I thought it might interest someone here so I posted the link.

I am a fan of a simple and clear way of expressing things as well. Maybe too many academics get their self-affirmation from being part of an elitist circle instead of trying to share knowledge.

That is the nice thing about this forum: An interested amateur like me can ask questions to seasoned pros who are willing to share knowledge.

[John Ruggero]

Please keep sharing, bobhead. You have added a lot of fresh material of interest to this forum.

It certainly wasn't the worst example of academese I've ever encountered; just convoluted enough to make one regret that something of interest was being clouded by the effort to tie it into the latest academic agenda.

I have always been impressed by the level of writing on the various notation forums. Maybe its because people have something real to express and are doing it simply and clearly.

[Fred G. Unn]

Most of these from Academia wind up in my trash on a general principle: if you can't express it simply and clearly, it probably isn't worth expressing.

Someone made a "Musicology Paper Title Generator" and it's hilarious!
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/musi ... index.html

[John Ruggero]

That's really good. PhD candidates can find some great topics there. Just so I don't have to read them.

[John Ruggero]

if you can't express it simply and clearly, it probably isn't worth expressing.

That could be good advice for notating as well!

And for composing...?

[David Ward]

One must have the ability to express oneself clearly and simply; but is it always the only ‘good’ way?

It reminds me a bit of people who are fussy eaters and will only eat ‘healthy’ food. Healthy food is indeed what I usually choose to cook for myself, but when I'm out and about (eg I'm due to go down to London next week) I eat - and enjoy - whatever I'm given by my host or is available in whatever eatery we may find ourselves in. I think language, both verbal and musical, can be a bit like that. Once in a while one should allow oneself to be confused or mystified, or even to be the confuser or mystifier. Let us not be too austere about these things.