NOTATIO

Thank you anyway John.
I hope to find some enlightening on this topic, and will report back when I do.

When a string player—in my case, cellist—is taught about chords, we start by saying that we cannot play more than 2 strings at a time, and we therefore need some "escamotage". If 3 notes it should be either 2+2 with the middle in common or 1+2 (bass + 2 top). Very seldom we have 2+1 (2 low...

I'm quite surprised there's been no intervention to this.
As a cellist who has grown up with "sul..." and Roman numerals, this was a breakthrough!
And it's in a relatively modern time, 1830, when notation was already very similar to ours!

Thank you both.
I'm trying to fit three systems per page (two leaves way too much whitespace) so three is definitely too much.
With the top staff (cello) being cue-size, I think just once on the top, but big and clear, should be enough.

In a score for cello, voice, and piano, where would you put the tempo indications? I've seen many examples and alternatives: only once above each system above cello and above piano Following Gould I would need to put it over cello, voice, and piano, which I am not going to. My preference would be: s...

That seems like a good approach. I'm wondering of Dorico would make it easier or harder to do since it is oriented toward players rather than instruments. Yes, Dorico makes this easier to create multiple layouts with different players allocations. Also in Sibelius you can create new parts with more...

In the beginning I was also grouping all instruments (timpani aside, exactly) in a separate score like you did. Then, about 5-6 years ago, I started to get asked to write all instruments a player was being assigned to play on a single 5-line staff (similar to a drum-kit, let's say). Of course, this ...

So, JJP's idea of asking the performers themselves isn't a bad idea. How many of you colleagues have actually done that? I've not done this personally, because I am seldom there with the musicians on stage. If the composer/conductor has had enough time to rehearse the piece, they will often come ba...

RMK wrote: ↑21 Oct 2023, 13:52 You have obviously never worked as an orchestral librarian!

I'm not sure I understand what you want to say with your message.

Certainly we engravers are much more attentive to details, and will always have stronger views here and there. Musicians may not complain, but they certainly notice when something is off, or looks strange. It is just not their top priority to report. As it was said before, backstage they will speak!...