Pictographic Score Notation - A Compendium

This text provides the first comprehensive examination of pictographic notation. Pictographic musical notation represents the relevant instruments themselves rendered visually rather than verbally. Used most extensively in contemporary publications between the 1950s and 1980s, its popularity has waned in recent years. This expertly researched work displays the resourcefulness and inventiveness of 20th century orchestrators.

Providing a detailed examination of pictographic score notation, this unique book passes over 60 years of contemporary composition and score publications. Divided into three sections, this work describes instrumental pictographs, stage diagrams, and pictographic performance directives. In addition to the thoroughly researched information and extensive technique illustrations, commentary on individual examples and frequent cross-referencing of related examples, differentiate this work from other journal articles and notation texts.

List of contents

Preamble
Instrumental Pictographs
Percussion Instruments
Standard Percussion Instruments
Nonstandard Percussion Instruments
Exotica
Keyboard Instruments
Plucked Instruments
Woodwind and Brass Instruments
String Instruments
Stage Diagrams
Stage Diagram Headings
Percussion Ensembles
Percussion Ensemble and Solo Instrument(s) or Voice(s)
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber Ensemble and Solo Instrument(s) or Voice(s)
Orchestra or Symphonic Band
Orchestra (or Symphonic Band) and Solo Instrument(s) or Voice(s)
Electronic Components
Pictographic Performance Directives
Percussion Instruments
Keyboard Instruments
Plucked Instruments
Woodwind Instruments
Brass Instruments
String Instruments
Bibliography
Publisher List
Index (Composers and Works)

About the author

GARDNER READ is Professor Emeritus and was Composer-in-Residence at the School of Music, Boston University. A respected expert in the field of music notation, he has written numerous books and articles on composition theory, including the Compendium of Modern Instrumental Techniques (Greenwood, 1993), which received the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award in 1994.

Product details

• Authors: Gardner Read, Read Gardner
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 7 to 17
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 12.05.1998
• EAN: 9780313304699
• ISBN: 978-0-313-30469-9
• No. of pages: 296
• Weight: 624 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Dictionaries, reference works > Dictionaries, encyclopaedias; MUSIC / Instruction & Study / Theory, ART / General, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Classical, c 1960 to c 1970, Theory of music & musicology, Drawing & drawings, c 1950 to c 1959, c 1970 to c 1979, c 1960 to c 1969, c 1970 to c 1980, C 1980 To C 1990, c 1980 to c 1989, 20th Century & Contemporary Classical Music, C 1945 To C 1960, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Drawing and drawings, Theory of music and musicology, Popular Culture: Music and Performing Arts