Hi, Giovanni. My wife is the one with Orff and Kodaly training. She answers you thusly.
I'm working on a series of publications including instruments such as xylophones, metallophones, bass & contrabass resonator bars, glockenspiels. These kind of instruments are better known as Orff- Instruments and are not only used for kids nursery rhymes, but, in a larger and more complex way, there are very sensational musical works for Orff orchestra (you can see more at <http://www.studio49.de/>). These publications are to be ready on September 2004. For a matter of accuracy, I would like to know what the standard is regarding pitch notation for these instruments, knowing them as transposing instruments, especially referring to bass and counter-bass instruments.
You are looking for a standard notation which everyone will understand. Unfortunately, the way something is notated depends on how you are using the instruments. In fact, Orff Schulwerk is not based on reading music at all, but on improvisation and ostinatos. The basic rule of thumb for notation is to notate within the staff, and specify the instrument intended. That way the octave will sound properly without your having to worry about transposing and non-transposing instruments. Use of the instruments for educational purposes in an Orff program is NOT dependent on this kind of notational accuracy.
Sometimes an alto instrument may be used for a bass line, or a bass ostinato. In that case it might be notated in bass clef simply to make the relationship between that part and the melody clear. At other times, when it is playing the melody, it might better be notated in treble clef. But always within the staff with the fewest ledger lines possible.
For example: the soprano diatonic xylophone's range is c2-a3 (Helmholtz System) - (C5- A6 where C4 is middle C) but it's written an octave lower positioning the first instrument's C bar on middle C, making it a transposimg instrument. The alto xylophone's range is c1-a2, so it not should be written as a transposing instrument, just using the G clef. The bass xylophone's range is c-a1 (C3-A4), and here's my first concern: I've seen parts for this instrument written in bass clef (as a non transposing instrument) and in G clef (making it one octave lower transposing instrument). I have same concern for bass resonator bars (same as bass xylophone's range) and contrabass resonator bass (an octave lower): So, if there is a standard regarding the use or not on writing pitches for these (lower) instruments, I would really appreciate to know about.
Again, specify the instrument (or the bars) and notate them where they are easy to read and interpret. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but this is from a composition and arranging major who uses the instruments for the educational uses they were designed for. She has also used the instruments in compositions, and has followed the same basic notational practice.
John
-- John & Susie Howell Virginia Tech Department of Music Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A 24061-0240 Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034 (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
