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Re: Test pieces

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Test pieces
From: Michael Dennison <wmd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 01:03:36 +0100
Priority: low
Reply-to: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

brass-band comment of 11/7/96

>Also, remember that in vocal music, quavers, semis etc (8th & 16th notes) are
>shown as detached notes (not beamed together) on separate syllables.  It gets
>hard on the eyes after a few pages.  That may be why hymn tunes, for example,
>are written more often in 4/2 than instrumental pieces.
>

Vocal music is less frequently set as detached notes than it was.
Publishing practice changes. The use of note values of longer duration in
religious music has more to do with the Church's maintenance of traditions
long after they are discarded in popular music. The 'new' music of the 15th
century favoured decidedly invigorating minims whilst the Church maintained
the convention of sober breves and longs. Many present day transcriptions
of 15th & 16th century music begin by halving, if not quartering the note
values so that modern players feel more comfortable with notes to which
they are accustomed i.e. the music is easier on the eye - and more easily
recreated as music (not notes).

Inflation occurs in notation as in currency.

Michael D.


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