NOTATIO

Thanks, OCTO.

In my opinion I would keep these stems down. Thanks, OCTO. They definitely will be! In response to your thoughts on this spot: As you know, I think that engraving preferences or hand-writing convenience played no part in decisions like this. Composers like Chopin observed what was standard practice...

That sums it up nicely, David. It's indeed a pity. But I will buck "the system" in my edition. Used in an orchestra context, it might be flirting with disaster, however.

Here is a wonderful notation that was used by many composers through the end of the 19th century. It simplifies and clarifies motives by allowing dotted rhythms to be shown overlapping measures. Chopin Etude op. 10 no. 3 in the first French edition, engraved as in the autograph: Chopin dots 1st Fr.j...

Thanks, Fred. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have TGTools. I just realized that I never actually posted what a untouched Finale Default file looks like with the Maximum Slur Angle set to 90 degrees. It is pretty much what you have even without the TG Modify slurs. As you said, it only needs a l...

But what if this was a divisi string staff? I bet that the B-natural would be treated as a grace note. So the "ugly" stem would be necessary. Obviously one would try to avoid a four part divisi on one staff, but it it could be necessary in order to ensure a good page turn. If it were a fo...

How would one handle this in modern computer notation software? Here's how I did it in my edition. There could be a more efficient way that a power user might suggest. Steps: 1 input notes normally 2 move A up to B in Speedy edit frame 3 move the left B left with the Note Position Tool 4 move flat ...

Thanks for the Sibelius example, odod. I don't find the slur proportions at all thick or off-putting. If anything they are a little thin for my taste. Judging from this and the lack of complete uniformity in the starting and ending positions of the slurs over the 32nds, may I assume that this is not...

The following example (Chopin Etude op. 10 no. 11) from the French first edition is engraved exactly as in the autograph. What a clear and simple solution to the problem of a chromatic unison. No ugly angled stem as added in later editions.

You describe an unfortunate situation regarding Dorico, Knut, and one that I have feared. Finale has enough limitations, one doesn't need more. Thanks, Schonbergian, it is always nice to get the Lilypond perspective. Its interesting that Lilypond also shortens the slurs in this situation. I find you...