NOTATIO

This is always a sticky case because both symbols want to be close to the notes. So it's done in various ways, all somewhat unsatisfactory. Yours looks funny because both symbols are too far from the note head. You might put the number closer to the top staff line to get both symbols closer. Or plac...

Thanks for the great explanation, Neera!

Thanks, hautbois baryton. 1.25 is a nice compromise. Here is another interesting example from the same movement of Beethoven's op. 27 no. 2. This from the old plate-engraved Schirmer edition (von Bülow). Note the varying distances from the left bar line, again responding to the density of each syste...

Examples of the effect of distance from the left bar lines in a spacious layout. The first example is set to 1 space, the Finale default. The second to 1.25 spaces, and the third to 1.5 spaces, the fourth to 1.75, and the fifth to 2 spaces. What spacing do you prefer? 1 space.png 1.25 spaces.png 1.5...

Since the distance of the first note or rest from the left systemic bar line varies depending on the key signature, presence of a time signature etc., perhaps it's better to consider the gap between the first note and the last fixed item, like a clef, key signature or time signature. I am also seein...

Thanks, David. I have seen other examples of that clef placement and even posted about it. In this case, I think it is being done as a space-saving device, because it is not consistent.

Thanks, Fred G. Unn. I wasn't talking about the distance to the key signatures, but the varied distances to the left bar lines. Here are more examples from different areas of the Henle publication shown above so that the different spacing is more apparent. Note that the less dense the music, the lar...

Should the first note or rest in a measure be at fixed distance from the left barline? Consistency is a desirable quality in music engraving and is so easy to accomplish with software. But when does consistency become barren and mechanical? As a hand copyist, I placed the first note of each measure ...

Thanks, czoller. Then it must be a special effect, or an avoidance of the open strings for some reason.

Yeah, I'l leave that for posterity.

Site seems to working normally today.