A flat and F# as signature
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Guest
How can I "invent" (as Mr Bartók did) a signature consisting in A flat and F#? An invented tonality? Must i use a "trick" or is there a "clean" way?
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Guest
Wouldn't it be easiest just to add the accidentals as required, and use
a key signature of C? I think the players would also prefer it, since it would spare them from having to get used to a totally outlandish key in order to remember the "automatic" accidentals.
Orchestral horn parts, for example, are always given without any sharps or flats in the key signature (which is key-of-C), and accidentals are written out as needed.
a key signature of C? I think the players would also prefer it, since it would spare them from having to get used to a totally outlandish key in order to remember the "automatic" accidentals.
Orchestral horn parts, for example, are always given without any sharps or flats in the key signature (which is key-of-C), and accidentals are written out as needed.
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Guest
Suppose you work at Boosey & Hawkes and you must write a new edition of Bartók's "Mikrokosmos". Would you say to your boss:
"Hi, you guy, the Béla was only trying to look strange; let's just add the accidentals as required, and use a key signature of C, players would also prefer it - it's easier"
How long would you last in your chair?
"Hi, you guy, the Béla was only trying to look strange; let's just add the accidentals as required, and use a key signature of C, players would also prefer it - it's easier"
How long would you last in your chair?
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Guest
There is no reason to slavishly follow the composer's original notation.
For example, look at the scores of Berlioz as originally published (soprano clefs and all), or those of many other composers. The horn parts in Berlioz, Wagner, and others are nowadays played by the horn in F (possibly with B-flat extension) and are best written out that way, rather than cluttering the score with parts for nonexistent horns crooked in E, A, D, or what have you.
The use of quarter tones is justified and musically necessary, and a standard notation exists for them. Bartok's use of the a-flat, f-sharp key signature is neither necessary nor standard and is best not followed. I don't care what the boss says (unless I am the boss
).
For example, look at the scores of Berlioz as originally published (soprano clefs and all), or those of many other composers. The horn parts in Berlioz, Wagner, and others are nowadays played by the horn in F (possibly with B-flat extension) and are best written out that way, rather than cluttering the score with parts for nonexistent horns crooked in E, A, D, or what have you.
The use of quarter tones is justified and musically necessary, and a standard notation exists for them. Bartok's use of the a-flat, f-sharp key signature is neither necessary nor standard and is best not followed. I don't care what the boss says (unless I am the boss
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Guest
I don't know of a good way.
I suppose that I'm stating the obvious, but you can place the symbols # or b on the staff. [Create>Symbol] Unfortunately, the playback will still be in C, ignoring your custom made key signature.
Also, you will have add the custom key sig to each line in the score, but at least the printed music will reflect your novel keys.
I suppose that I'm stating the obvious, but you can place the symbols # or b on the staff. [Create>Symbol] Unfortunately, the playback will still be in C, ignoring your custom made key signature.
Also, you will have add the custom key sig to each line in the score, but at least the printed music will reflect your novel keys.
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Lurker
There is no clean way. Trickery is needed. Use a symbol for one of the inflections, and use MIDI pitch bend messages to change the pitch of those notes. You need only work out the midi message once, and copy it each time. Don't forget that the message will effect all notes on that channel, so you might need to use hidden notes in another stave occasionally.Anonymous wrote:How can I "invent" (as Mr Bartók did) a signature consisting in A flat and F#? An invented tonality? Must i use a "trick" or is there a "clean" way?
Also, don't forget to turn off the MIDI bend just before the start of the next note.
If you are the sort of person who is capable of writing a plug-in, or you know someone like that, it's an ideal task to be automated.
