Hello Mr Howell,
Can you tell me if this information found at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_note is accurate?
The whole rest, and occasionally the whole note, are also used in a
more general way in time signatures other than 4/4; there they can
represent the entire measure, regardless of how many whole notes
would ordinarily fit in. For example, a whole rest may have a length
equal to five beats if used in 5/4 time. If followed by a quarter
note, however, it will have the ordinary value.
The question is specific to the whole note symbol representing an
entire measure regardless of the time signature just as the whole
rest does. I can't find anyone that will give me a definitive yes
or no answer on whether or not the whole note symbol can be used
outside of a 4/4 time signature.
Thanks!
My reply:
No, the Wikipedia article is wrong. This does not surprise me, since
a website that is essentially a communal blog is pretty unreliable as
a reference!
Whole rests are routinely used for full measure rests in meters like
4/4 and smaller. In theory they can also represent full measure
rests in meters with more than 4 quarter notes, but careful engraving
will usually give the actual number of beats of rest.
As to the whole note itself, it is NEVER used to represent anything
other than the duration of 4 quarter notes, and NEVER used to
represent a full measure in meters with more than 4 quarter notes.
In such cases it is still worth 4 quarter notes and no more.
Now, having expressed my opinion, I'm going to forward your question
to the FinaleList, which includes a lot of people with very wide
experience in notation and engraving, to see whether they agree with
me! I'll let you know what they say.
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
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