Abstract

Most extended instrumental playing techniques are still deprived of a conventional method of notation. In order to facilitate the utilisation of these unconventional musical elements, a coherent and consistent notation system is developed in this thesis. It comprises chapters on string instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, plucked instruments and keyboard instruments. A systematic notation of unconventional instrumental playing techniques has not yet been attempted, nor have all tech-niques subject to this work yet been explained in detail. In order to coherently depict unconventional playing techniques, a set of criteria is defined. These criteria postulate that all developments are supposed to be 1. As exact as possible and 2. As simple as possible while the system may 3. Not be contradictory to traditional notation, but should instead extend and be closely related to it. Further, in order to guarantee that the additions are consistent, they need to be compatible with, and distinct from, all other signs of the system. Each unconventional playing technique is classified and explained in detail. Subsequently, previous methods of its notation are presented and discussed with regard to the previously defined criteria. Finally, a suggestion for the notation that agrees with the postulations is provided. In the next step the application of the developments is then described by presenting examples from compositions that were either produced during the writing of the thesis or revised by replacing old methods of notation with the developments from this thesis. Altogether examples from eight instrumental works that employ the new methods are displayed.

Keywords

Unconventional extended playing techniques, Music notation

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2013

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