9/8 measure question

Discuss the rules of notation, standard notation practices, efficient notation practices and graphic design.
Post Reply
Hector Pascal
Posts: 94
Joined: 17 Oct 2021, 23:15

9/8 measure question

Post by Hector Pascal »

Hi all,

In my 9/8 bar, should I change my 2 tied dotted crotchets to a dotted minim? I hope to do the most "correct" way from a notation / publishing point of view.
Screen Shot 2023-04-30 at 3.58.02 pm.png
Screen Shot 2023-04-30 at 3.58.02 pm.png (239.42 KiB) Viewed 968 times
Thanks again!
HP.
User avatar
John Ruggero
Posts: 2453
Joined: 05 Oct 2015, 14:25
Location: Raleigh, NC USA

Re: 9/8 measure question

Post by John Ruggero »

Yes, change it to a dotted half note (minim). It would be analogous to a half note in 3/4. Only half rests are forbidden in 3/4, not half notes. Similarly dotted half rests are forbidden in 9/8, not dotted half notes.
M1 Mac mini (OS 12.4), Dorico, Finale 25.5, GPO 4, Affinity Publisher 2, SmartScore 64 Pro, JW Plug-ins, TG Tools, Keyboard maestro

http://www.cantilenapress.com
Hector Pascal
Posts: 94
Joined: 17 Oct 2021, 23:15

Re: 9/8 measure question

Post by Hector Pascal »

Thanks for the reply, John! The corrections look great. I will also check for any forbidden rests! I found also that Debussy's Clair de Lune seems to be a handy reference for 9/8 music notation conventions.
Cheers,
HP.
User avatar
John Ruggero
Posts: 2453
Joined: 05 Oct 2015, 14:25
Location: Raleigh, NC USA

Re: 9/8 measure question

Post by John Ruggero »

You are welcome, Hector. Clair de Lune has some very interesting features with its duplets and even sextuplets. But what about the dotted half note chords in the bass in many of the measures. Do you think he forgot to tie on some of the dotted quarter notes? Or was he thinking of the bass part being in 3/4 meter and therefore holding for all three beats of the measure? There is little doubt that the pedal is supposed to hold through the whole measure. Don't think I've ever heard anyone lift the pedal on the third dotted quarter note beat.
Debussy Clair.png
Debussy Clair.png (236.98 KiB) Viewed 916 times
M1 Mac mini (OS 12.4), Dorico, Finale 25.5, GPO 4, Affinity Publisher 2, SmartScore 64 Pro, JW Plug-ins, TG Tools, Keyboard maestro

http://www.cantilenapress.com
Hector Pascal
Posts: 94
Joined: 17 Oct 2021, 23:15

Re: 9/8 measure question

Post by Hector Pascal »

Hmmm, my first thought is that Debussy might want the sound of those dotted half notes in the bass to blend into the following tones, or somehow taper or sort of evaporate using judicious pedaling ... Being un-dotted, the low Bb half note in the left hand of the last bar of your excerpt seems like a clue to his system.... Interesting! I am looking forward to playing through it tonight :)

Thanks again :)
HP.
Post Reply