Best design for X noteheads? [contemporary music notation]

[Roland_Gurt]

Dear knowledgeable people of this forum,

the X notehead is widely used e.g. for special techniques with non-definitive pitch, yet most designs seem to me lacking in one or another aspect (when looking at the different note values). Here is a comparison of some of the styles in Doricos Bravura font:
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X-notehead-designs.jpeg (198.12 KiB) Viewed 7853 times

my draft (no. 5; combination of no. 3 and enlarged no. 4) aims to keep the X character apparent across all values (similar to no. 1 „ornate X“). But I’m unsure if the whole note is recognizable on it’s own... how could a good whole note design look like?

What is your opinion on X notehead styles, and can you give an example of a good allround-workable design? Or do you have a different approach to these kinds of notation altogether? Maybe we can collect some perspectives.


All the best,
Roland

PS: see also this article https://www.rpmseattle.com/of_note/x-cr ... -notation/

[MichelRE]

I just tend to avoid this type of notation, even if it's relatively standard, for the simple reason that black notes and white notes are hard to tell apart.

I go by the adages that "legibility is the absolute goal" and "screw tradition, when it actually adds nothing to comprehension."

[OCTO]

I have designed a set of noteheads, each using an X attached to the shape of the notehead.  However, the noteheads have been slightly resized to adjust for proper spacing.  It just works.  No other fonts can match with what I need.

Skärmavbild 2024-09-09 kl. 23.51.03.png (50.91 KiB) Viewed 7803 times

[Fred G. Unn]

I haven't thought about this in a while, but here's what I've been defaulting to in Dorico:

x.png (11.91 KiB) Viewed 7718 times

[Roland_Gurt]

Dear Michel, which alternative notation do you then use (e.g. for a string player or pianist knocking on the instrument), normal noteheads on a one line staff? Or something different? Thanks for your message!


Dear OCTO, thanks a lot for your example, these noteheads look very fine and clear! Is this also legible for half notes or whole notes?

I once made a mockup design for crossed noteheads where only one thin stroke actually extends through the half and whole notehead to aid legibility, see here:
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crossed-notehead-mockup.png (109.04 KiB) Viewed 7079 times

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Dear Fred, thanks for your image, that seems like a workable set; for me the half and whole note stylistically differ too much from the quarter notehead and look too crowded, but maybe that just takes some getting used to...


What do you all think of my draft in the initial post? Is the whole note value recognizable or does it need a different design? how could that look like?

Best regards


EDIT:
just tried this out w/ regards to whole note shape (stroke widths need further adjustments) – tell me what you think!
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X-notehead-design-v2.png (79.79 KiB) Viewed 6976 times

[OCTO]

which alternative notation do you then use (e.g. for a string player or pianist knocking on the instrument), normal noteheads on a one line staff? Or something different?

You can use a normal notation, using the middle line and just write above "knocking on the instrument."

Dear OCTO, thanks a lot for your example, these noteheads look very fine and clear! Is this also legible for half notes or whole notes?

I once made a mockup design for crossed noteheads where only one thin stroke actually extends through the half and whole notehead to aid legibility, see here:

Here is the font attached.  It is my working, always expanding font for what I need in my music.  Perhaps the half or whole noteheads can be adjusted a bit, maybe by making them 27pt (in Finale).  It is not perfect, but it worked well.

Screenshot 2024-09-12 at 16.34.42.png (11.75 KiB) Viewed 6102 times

Generally, I like the most your second example.  It is clear what notehead is used.  Your design (the last one) has, to my eyes, a problematic weight; i.e. your notes are designed as "sans serif".

[Roland_Gurt]

Dear OCTO, sorry for the delay and thanks a lot for your message!

Yes, the „sans serif“-look is deliberate (the quarter note X notehead is already sans serif in most X notehead designs) – I find this a fitting contrast to the normal noteheads when the X notehead is used for special techniques and it helps immediately setting it apart visually.

I will also attach my current drafts for anyone to use or modify (strokes to be combined with a notehead set of choice – I used Bravura (standard size noteheads)).

Best regards