Symbols Of Music Defined Part Two
21. The natural[8] (sometimes called cancel) annuls the effect of
previous sharps, flats, double-sharps, and double-flats, within the
measure in which it occurs. After a double-sharp or double-flat the
combination of a natural with a sharp, or a natural with a flat is often
found: in this case only one sharp or flat is annulled. (Sometimes also
the single sharp or flat will be found by itself, cancelling the
double-sha
composition changes key, as in Fig. 11, where a change from E to G is
shown.
[Footnote 8: It has already been noted (p. 6, Note) that in the German
scale our b-flat is called b, and our b is called H. From this
difference in terminology has grown up the custom of using the H (now
made [natural]) to show that any staff-degree is in natural
condition, i.e., not sharped or flatted.]
22. The group of sharps or flats (or absence of them) at the beginning
of a staff partially indicates the key in which the composition is
written. They are called collectively the key-signature.
23. The same key-signature may stand for either one of two keys, the
major key, or its relative minor, hence in order to determine in what
key a melody is one must note whether the tones are grouped about the
major tonic DO or the minor tonic LA. In a harmonized composition it is
almost always possible to determine the key by referring to the last
bass note; if the final chord is clearly the DO chord the composition is
in the major key, but if this final chord is clearly the LA chord then
it is almost certain that the entire composition is in the minor key.
Thus if a final chord appears as that in Fig. 12 the composition is
clearly in G major, while if it appears as in Fig. 13, it is just as
surely in E minor.
24. Sharps, flats, naturals, double-sharps and double-flats, occurring
in the course of the composition (i.e., after the key signature) are
called accidentals, whether they actually cause a staff degree to
represent a different pitch as in Fig. 14 or simply make clear a
notation about which there might otherwise be some doubt as in Fig. 15,
measure two. The effect of such accidentals terminates at the bar.
[Illustration: Fig. 14.]
[Illustration: Fig. 15.]
25. In the case of a tie across a bar an accidental remains in force
until the combined value of the tied notes expires. In Fig. 16 first
measure, third beat, an accidental sharp makes the third space represent
the pitch C sharp. By virtue of the tie across the bar the third space
continues to represent C sharp thru the first beat of the second
measure, but for the remainder of the measure the third space will
represent C unless the sharp is repeated as in Fig. 17.
26. The following rules for making staff degrees represent pitches
different from those of the diatonic scale will be found useful by the
beginner in the study of music notation. These rules are quoted from
The Worcester Musical Manual, by Charles I. Rice.
1. To sharp a natural degree, use a sharp. Fig. 18.
2. To sharp a sharped degree, use a double sharp. Fig. 19.
3. To sharp a flatted degree, use a natural. Fig. 20.
4. To flat a natural degree, use a flat. Fig. 21.
5. To flat a flatted degree, use a double flat. Fig. 22.
6. To flat a sharped degree, use a natural. Fig. 23.
27. When two different notations represent the same pitch, the word
enharmonic is applied. Thus we may say that F sharp and G flat (on
keyboard instruments at least) are enharmonically the same.
This word enharmonic is used in such expressions as enharmonic change,
enharmonic keys, enharmonic interval, enharmonic modulation, enharmonic
relation, etc., and in all such combinations it has the same meaning,
viz.--a change in notation but no change in the pitch represented.
28. A note is a character expressing relative duration, which when
placed on a staff indicates that a certain tone is to be sounded for a
certain relative length of time. The pitch of the tone to be sounded is
shown by the position of the note on the staff, while the length of time
it is to be prolonged is shown by the shape of the note. Thus e.g., a
half-note on the second line of the treble staff indicates that a
specific pitch (g') is to be played or sung for a period of time twice
as long as would be indicated by a quarter-note in the same composition.
29. A rest is a character which indicates a rhythmic silence of a
certain relative length.
30. The notes and rests in common use are as follows:
 | Whole-note. An open note-head without stem. |
 | Half-note. An open note-head with stem. |
 | Quarter-note. A closed note-head with stem. |
 | Eighth-note. A closed note-head with stem and one hook. |
 | Sixteenth-note. A closed note-head with stem and two hooks. |
 | Thirty-second-note. A closed note-head with stem and three hooks. |
 | Whole-rest. |
 | Half-rest. |
 | Quarter-rest. |
 | Eighth-rest. |
 | Sixteenth-rest. |
 | Thirty-second-rest. |
31. The English names for these notes are:
Whole-note--semi-breve.
Half-note--minim.
Quarter-note--crotchet.
Eighth-note--quaver.
Sixteenth-note--semi-quaver.
Thirty-second-note--demi-semi-quaver.
The corresponding rests are referred to by the same system of
nomenclature: e.g., semi-breve rest, etc.
32. Sixty-fourth and one-hundred-and-twenty-eighth-notes are
occasionally found, but are not in common use. The double-whole-note
(breve), made [breve symbol] or [old breve symbol], is still used,
especially in English music, which frequently employs the half-note as
the beat-unit. Thus in four-half measure the breve would be necessary to
indicate a tone having four beats.
33. The whole-rest has a peculiarity of usage not common to any of the
other duration symbols, viz., that it is often employed as a
measure-rest, filling an entire measure of beats, no matter what the
measure-signature may be. Thus, not only in four-quarter-measure, but in
two-quarter, three-quarter, six-eighth, and other varieties, the
whole-rest fills the entire measure, having a value sometimes greater,
sometimes less than the corresponding whole-note. Because of this
peculiarity of usage the whole-rest is termed Takt-pausa
(measure-rest) by the Germans.
34. A bar is a vertical line across the staff, dividing it into
measures. The word bar is often used synonymously with measure by
orchestral conductors and others; thus, begin at the fourteenth bar
after J. This use of the word, although popular, is incorrect.
35. A double-bar consists of two vertical lines across the staff, at
least one of the two being a heavy line. The double bar marks the end of
a division, movement, or entire composition.
CHAPTER IV
ABBREVIATIONS, SIGNS, ETC.
36. A double bar (or single heavy bar) with either two or four dots
indicates that a section is to be repeated. If the repeat marks occur at
only one point the entire preceding part is to be repeated, but if the
marks occur twice (the first time at the right of the bar but the second
time at the left), only the section thus enclosed by the marks is to be
repeated.
37. Sometimes a different cadence (or ending) is to be used for the
repetition, and this is indicated as in Fig. 24.
38. The Italian word bis is occasionally used to indicate that a
certain passage or section is to be repeated. This use is becoming
obsolete.
39. The words da capo (D.C.) mean literally from the head, i.e.,
repeat from the beginning. The words dal segno (D.S.) indicate a
repetition from the sign ([segno symbol] or [segno symbol]) instead of
from the beginning.
In the case of both D.C. and D.S. the word fine (meaning literally
the end) is ordinarily used to designate the point at which the
repeated section is to terminate. The fermata ([fermata symbol]) was
formerly in common use for this same purpose, but is seldom so employed
at present.
D.C. (sin[9]) al fine means--repeat from the beginning
to the word fine.
[Footnote 9: The word sin is a contraction of the Italian
word sino, meaning as far as or until; in the term given
above (Sec. 39) it is really superfluous as the word al
includes in itself both preposition and article, meaning to
the.]
D.C. al [fermata symbol] means--repeat to the fermata (or
hold).
D.C. senza repetizione, or D.C. ma senza repetizione,
[Transcriber's Note: Corrected misspelling repetitione] both
mean--repeat from the beginning, but without observing other
repeat marks during the repetition.
D.C. e poi la coda means--repeat the first section only to
the mark [coda symbol], then skip to the coda. (See p. 74,
Sec. 157, for discussion of coda).
40. In certain cases where the repetition of characteristic figures can
be indicated without causing confusion, it is the practice of composers
(especially in orchestral music) to make use of certain signs of
repetition. Some of the commonest of these abbreviations are shown in
the following examples.
In Fig. 28 the repetition of an entire measure is called for.
41. The word simile [Transcriber's Note: Corrected error similie]
(sometimes segue) indicates that a certain effect previously begun is
to be continued, as e.g., staccato playing, pedalling, style of bowing
in violin music, etc. The word segue is also occasionally used to show
that an accompaniment figure (especially in orchestral music) is to be
continued.
42. When some part is to rest for two or more measures several methods
of notation are possible. A rest of two measures is usually indicated
thus
. Three measures thus 
. Four measures thus
. Rests of more than four measures are usuallyindicated in one of the following ways:
. Sometimes thenumber of measures is written directly on the staff, thus;
.43. The letters G.P. (general pause, or grosse pause), the words lunga
pausa, or simply the word lunga, are sometimes written over a rest to
show that there is to be a prolonged pause or rest in all parts. Such
expressions are found only in ensemble music, i.e., music in which
several performers are engaged at the same time.
44. The fermata or hold
over a note or chordindicates that the tone is to be prolonged, the duration of the
prolongation depending upon the character of the music and the taste of
the performer or conductor. It has already been noted that the hold over
a bar was formerly used to designate the end of the composition, as the
word fine is employed at present, but this usage has practically
disappeared and the hold over the bar now usually indicates a short rest
between two sections of a composition.
45. The sign 8va...... (an abbreviation of all'ottava,
[Transcriber's Note: Corrected error al ottava in original.] literally
at the octave) above the staff, indicates that all tones are to be
sounded an octave higher than the notes would indicate. When found below
the staff the same sign serves to indicate that the tones are to be
sounded an octave lower. The term 8va bassa has also this latter
signification.
46. Sometimes the word loco (in place) is used to show that the part
is no longer to be sounded an octave higher (or lower), but this is more
often indicated by the termination of the dotted (or wavy) line.
47. The sign Col 8 (coll'ottava--with the octave) shows that the
tones an octave higher or lower are to be sounded with the tones
indicated by the printed notes. [Transcriber's Note: Corrected error
col ottava in original.]
48. For the sake of definiteness in referring to pitches, a particular
name is applied to each octave, and all pitches in the octave are
referred to by means of a uniform nomenclature. The following figure
will make this system clear:
Thus e.g., great G (written simply G), is the G represented by the
first line of the bass staff. Small A (written a), is represented by the
fifth line of the bass staff. Two-lined G, (written [2-lined g symbol]),
is represented by the space above the fifth line, treble staff.
Three-lined C, (written [3-lined c symbol]), is represented by the
second added line above the treble staff, etc. The one-lined octave
may be described as the octave from middle C to the B represented by
the third line of the treble staff, and any tone within that octave is
referred to as one-lined. Thus--one-lined D, one-lined G, etc.
In scientific works on acoustics, etc., the pitches in the sub
octave (or sub-contra octave as it is often called) are
referred to as C2, D2, E2, etc.; those in the contra octave
as C1, D1, etc.; in the great octave, as c^1, d^1, etc.; in
the small octave as c^2, d^2, etc.
More
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Terminology Adoptions 1907-1910
1. Tone: Specific name for a musical sound of definite pitch. Use neither sound, a general term, nor note, a term of notation. 2. Interval: The pitch relation between two tones. Not properly applicable to a single tone or... Some Principles Of Correct Notation
1. The note (from nota--Latin--a mark or sign) consists of either one, two, or three parts, (<img src=/images/notes.jpg>) these being referred to respectively as head, stem, and hook. The hook is often called tail or cross-stroke. The stem appea... Abbreviations Signs Etc
49. A dot after a note shows that the value of the note is to be half again as great as it would be without the dot, i.e., the value is to be three-halves that of the original note. <img src=/images/dot.jpg> 50. When two dots follow the note ... Acoustics
NOTE:--It is usually taken for granted that the student of music is familiar with the significance of such terms as over-tone, equal temperament, etc., and with principles such as that relating to the relation between vibration... Auxiliary Words And Endings
96. Being a list of articles, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and endings, often utilized in compounding terms relating to musical effects. A--preposition--variously translated to, at, for, by, in, with, towards. A cappella--in church st... Chords Cadences Etc
196. A chord is a combination of several tones sounding together and bearing an harmonic relation to each other. The simplest chord is the triad, which consists of a fundamental tone called the root, with the third and fifth above it. C--E--G is a... Dynamics
120. The word dynamics (cf. dynamic--the opposite of static) as used in the nomenclature of music has to do with the various degrees of power (i.e., the comparative loudness and softness) of tones. As in the case of words referring to tempo, the... Embellishments
64. Embellishments (or graces) (Fr. agrements) are ornamental tones, either represented in full in the score or indicated by certain signs. The following are the embellishments most commonly found: Trill (or shake), mordent, inverted mordent (or p... Measure
97. From the standpoint of the eye, a measure is that portion of the staff found between two bars, (in certain cases this space may be less than a measure, as e.g., at the beginning and end of a movement); but from the standpoint of the ear a sing... Miscellaneous Terms
A battuta--with the beat; in strict rhythm. [Transcriber's Note: Corrected error battua in original.] A quatre mains--for four hands. Accompagnamento--the accompaniment. All'unisono--in unison. Alla breve--2/2 measure. The term a... Miscellaneous Terms (_continued_)
Lyric--a short, song-like poem of simple character. Also applied to instrumental pieces of like character. Maggiore--major. Marcato il canto--the melody well marked; i.e., subdue the accompaniment so that the melody may stand out strongly. ... Musical Instruments
1. Broadly speaking, musical instruments may be divided into two classes, viz.: (1) those that have a keyboard and are therefore capable of sounding several tones simultaneously; (2) those that (as a rule) sound only one tone at a time, as the vio... Rhythm Melody Harmony And Intervals
178. The four elements commonly attributed to music (in the order of their development) are: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, and Timbre (or tone-color). 179. Rhythm is the regular recurrence of accent. In music it is more specifically the regular recu... Scales
76. A scale (from scala, a Latin word meaning ladder; Ger. Ton-leiter) is an ascending or descending series of tones, progressing according to some definite system, and all bearing (in the case of tonality scales at least) a very intimate relation... Scales (_continued_)
84. The minor diatonic scale is used in several slightly different forms, but the characteristic interval between the first and third tones (which differentiates it from the major scale) remains the same in every case. This interval between the fi... Symbols Of Music Defined
12. A staff is a collection of parallel lines, together with the spaces belonging to them. The modern staff has five lines and six spaces, these being ordinarily referred to as first line, second line, third line, fourth line, and fifth line (be... Symbols Of Music Defined Part Two
21. The natural[8] (sometimes called cancel) annuls the effect of previous sharps, flats, double-sharps, and double-flats, within the measure in which it occurs. After a double-sharp or double-flat the combination of a natural with a sharp, or a n... Tempo
104. The word time in musical nomenclature has been greatly abused, having been used to indicate: (1) Rhythm; as the time was wrong. (2) Variety of measure-signature; as two-four time. (3) Rate of speed; as the time was too s... Tempo (_continued_)
110. Innumerable combinations of the words defined in Sec. 109 with one another and with other words occur. Some of these combinations with their approximate meanings follow. The meaning of any such expression not found in the list may usually be ... Terminology Reform
A recent writer[43] on vocal terminology makes the following statement as an introduction to certain remarks advocating a more definite use of terms relating to tone production by the human voice:--The correct use of words is the most potent facto... Terms Relating To Forms And Styles
132. A form in music is a specific arrangement of the various parts of a composition resulting in a structure so characteristic that it is easily recognized by the ear. Thus e.g., although every fugue is different from all other fugues in actual m... Terms Relating To Forms And Styles (_continued_)
(Sections 144 to 160 relate particularly to terms used in descriptions of monophonic music[33].) [Footnote 33: There is a very pronounced disagreement among theorists as to what terms are to be used in referring to certain forms and pa... Terms Relating To Vocal Music
161. An anthem is a sacred choral composition, usually based on Biblical or liturgical[34] words. It may or may not have an instrumental accompaniment, and is usually written in four parts, but may have five, six, eight, or more. [Footnote 34: ... The History Of Music Notation
Many conflicting statements have been made regarding the history and development of music writing, and the student who is seeking light on this subject is often at a loss to determine what actually did happen in the rise of our modern system of wr...