Alignment of (double) whole notes
Posted: 05 Jun 2016, 15:24
In most if not all music fonts, the whole and double whole noteheads are wider than the noteheads of smaller note values.
What is then the correct vertical alignment of whole notes and double whole notes against simultaneous smaller note values?
In hand-copied (not engraved) music, where there is some natural variance in notehead sizes, I assume the copyist would intuitively center-align all noteheads. Right?
In hand-engraved music, I have observed both left-alignment and center-alignment between whole notes and smaller values; this may be a question of house style. Regarding double whole notes, center-alignment seems to be predominant; indeed, if two voices are a third apart and one of them is a double whole note, center-alignment is a must to avoid collision.
Unfortunately, both Finale and Sibelius left-align all note values regardless of the width of the notehead (as at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 below), and offer no other automated options.
In the case of double whole notes, this looks quite ugly, and causes unacceptable collisions when two voices are a third apart (examples 5, 7, 9, 11).
In the case of whole notes against smaller values (examples 1 and 3), left-alignment of course causes no collisions, and this appears to be the norm in present-day computer engraving.
But why should whole notes be left-aligned when double whole notes are not? I think center-alignment looks more pleasing to the eye in every single case.
Moreover: if whole notes always had to be left-aligned but double whole notes not, it can cause inconsistency. (For example, would you choose the alignment of example 12 or 13, if whole notes happened to be present in other voices?)
Opinions?
What is then the correct vertical alignment of whole notes and double whole notes against simultaneous smaller note values?
In hand-copied (not engraved) music, where there is some natural variance in notehead sizes, I assume the copyist would intuitively center-align all noteheads. Right?
In hand-engraved music, I have observed both left-alignment and center-alignment between whole notes and smaller values; this may be a question of house style. Regarding double whole notes, center-alignment seems to be predominant; indeed, if two voices are a third apart and one of them is a double whole note, center-alignment is a must to avoid collision.
Unfortunately, both Finale and Sibelius left-align all note values regardless of the width of the notehead (as at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 below), and offer no other automated options.
In the case of double whole notes, this looks quite ugly, and causes unacceptable collisions when two voices are a third apart (examples 5, 7, 9, 11).
In the case of whole notes against smaller values (examples 1 and 3), left-alignment of course causes no collisions, and this appears to be the norm in present-day computer engraving.
But why should whole notes be left-aligned when double whole notes are not? I think center-alignment looks more pleasing to the eye in every single case.
Moreover: if whole notes always had to be left-aligned but double whole notes not, it can cause inconsistency. (For example, would you choose the alignment of example 12 or 13, if whole notes happened to be present in other voices?)
Opinions?