On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 09:52:35 -0400, "Daniel Dorff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > So if this theory is valid, and I > believe it is, then it makes most sense to always write for flute without > 8va signs, but to sometimes use them for piano. It sounds like Dennis's > colleagues would agree with this.
Some composers have a habit of writing extremely high piano notes (6 or more ledger lines) but writing the note name above it. At least in reading situations, I've always found this difficult to read, and counter-productive. That said, with regular eyesight, reading up to 5 ledger lines for a pianist really shouldn't be an issue, but I'd agree that if the music stays in a register with several ledger lines, an 8va sign would probably be appropriate. I don't think Dennis was referring to this, but I've played from scores where 8va signs were used in a register where none of the resultant notes went above the stave. Personally, I find this quite difficult to read (certainly in a sight- reading, rehearsal situation) and a number of other pianists I've talked to have similar reactions. I think it's partly because, on the whole, we're not used to reading 8va notes there. While I'm at it, mixing 8va and non 8va notes in rapid passages can be difficult to read, because there is a disjuncture between what you see, and what the hand has to stretch to. That's no doubt obvious, but I see it quite a bit- and of course there are many older pieces which are notated this way. All of this is more of an issue for initial reading, but let's face it, that's the situation many composers will find themselves in- with limited reharsal time, etc. David -- David Horne | www.davidhorne.co.uk note that email address has changed slightly to [EMAIL PROTECTED] email sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] is no longer read tel:+44(0)161-796-7964|fax:+44(0) 870-133-9627|mobile:+44(0)7904-114580 _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
