At 9:24 AM +0100 3/22/07, Johannes Gebauer wrote:
On 22.03.2007 dhbailey wrote:
I agree with Darcy on this point. The numbers are only to locate
the physical measure on the page, so all full measures should be
counted in a straight line from the first one through the final one.
Well, even if you agree, you are still in disagreement with all
major publishers, at least in Europe, which publish classical music,
including contemporary as far as I can see.
Am I the only one to whom this discussion seems equivalent to
medieval theologians arguing how many angels can dance on the head of
a pin? (And why the head, anyhow, when dancing on the point would
take much more skill?!!!) A disputation full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing!!!
There are two possible systems which all editions I have seen stick
with: Either number the first and second time endings with the same
numbers, or include numbers for the repeats as well, so that every
repeated measure gets two numbers, ie 1(17). These two systems are
the only ones I have ever seen in major publications.
The discussion also reminds me (painfully) of entirely too many
faculty committee meetings in which the universal and irresistible
urge to jump right into the details defeats any rational attempt to
first agree on first principles!! There are obviously MORE than just
those two systems that are possible.
Clearly Johannes is arguing from conventions which have the authority
of precedent, and believes those conventions to be proper. And just
as clearly, David, Darcy and I are arguing from more recent
conventions, including the convention of numbering every single bar
in commercial music like that for recording sessions and touring
shows that use a different orchestra every night, and we believe that
newer practicalities trump the conventions of 19th century European
publishers.
So how about this for a first principle? Every measure SHOULD have
and MUST have a unique identifying number, assigned in serial order
to aid quick and accurate locating of that measure. Period. End of
statement.
Would anyone care to argue against that principle? And explain why?
Without appealing to convention or other authority?
(Yes, as stated that could be read to mean that partial bars and
pickup bars also should have unique numbers, but that's a DETAIL, so
keep it outa here!!!)
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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