Hi Reinhold,
here in Europe, that is traditional notation
Yes, it's "traditional notation" over here, too... ;)
From the Essential Dictionary of Music Notation, pg 186:
"Beaming of notes associated with a lyric now follows standard
notational practice. Traditional practice, now obsolete, was to use
flags for eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc. Beams were only used
for melismas."
I don't own any other modern style guides (i.e., written or re-edited
in the last 20 years), but I'd be shocked if they contradicted that.
if you are used to classical music, the "new" notation is quite
confusing
and the singers will have problems when sight-reading.
Actually, I've personally conducted several tests on different
occasions (different choirs) with two different editions of the same
score: the beamed-to-beat was easier for them to sight read than the
beamed-to-melisma, every time. Furthermore, I have had conversations
with numerous professional singers, conductors, and orchestral
players — every single one, *without exception*, has said it's more
difficult to read improperly beamed notes (e.g., harpists in
orchestra, where the hand is supposed to switch on a gliss but the
beaming is "melismatic").
But anyone can feel free to use an obsolete, more difficult notation
system if they really want to! ;)
Cheers,
Kieren.
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