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About
Why bother notating like this? 🤔
I started to develop this notation as an undergrad. At the time, I had been recently diagnosed with dyslexia, which finding out as an adult was nearly enough for me to switch academic lanes from composition to something entirely different from music 😢. Prior to finding out about my dyslexia, I struggled to read and write using staff notation, primarily the rhythmic part of the notation. It seems as if the visual aspect of the notation changes from score to score, but this style guide aims to keep track of the notation as it develops. Despite the visual nature of the music changing depending on the piece, there are underlying principles that are constant, and they are:
Rhythm is first and flexible 🤸
This notation isn't about absolute precision. If you want to notate a series of rhythms where the outcome is the same every time, this is not for you! Spacing notes individually gives the piece its character, aiming to remove quantization as a goal, and encourage interpretation and performer input. Without the performer, the piece wouldn't exist. Not only because they realize the sound, but also because they realize the rhythm.
Try to not alienate 👽 the reader
After experimenting with all sorts of different graphic and alternative notations, when working with performers (primarily ones with a background in academic music), their first impression of the score sets the tone for the rest of the collaboration. If the notation steers too far away from the original
Use the notation as a supplement âž•
My musical trajectory has been shaped by accessibility. Although I've strived to make my notation as accessible for my needs, it may be more applicable for a section of your piece. That being said, an entire score doesn't need to be devoted to this notation, nor do all elements of the notation must be used together.