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Exploring Alternative Music Notation Systems

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Ambros System
by August Ambros, 1883

Chromatic scale from C to C. C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

The staff has three solid lines alternating with three dashed lines. The lowest solid line represents C.  Traditional rhythmic notation is used. The standard staff has six lines spanning one octave, three solid and three dashed, half of the two octave staff shown above.

Source: Directory of Music Notation Proposals, section/page: 10/3, 11/4, 13/3

Earliest Documentation: 1883

Similar notations: 6-6 Trigram by Richard Parncutt

Manuscript Paper: Discontinuous Staves,  Continuous Staves

→ Next Two Notation Systems →

Chromatic scale from C to C in Douzave System by John Leon Acheson C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Douzave System by John Leon Acheson

Chromatic scale from C to C in Notagraph by Constance Virtue C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Notagraph by Constance Virtue

← Previous Two Notation Systems ←

Chromatic scale from C to C in Notation for the System of Equal Tones... by Gustave Decher C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Notation for the System of Equal Tones by Gustave Decher

Chromatic scale from C to C in Untitled by Franz Grassl C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Untitled by Franz Grassl

Notation System Groups

  • Lines a Whole Step Apart, 5 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Whole Step Apart, 4 or 3 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Whole Step Apart, 6 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Whole Step and Major 3rd Apart, 4 per Octave
  • Lines a Minor 3rd Apart, 3 or 4 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Major 3rd Apart, 3 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Major 3rd Apart, 2 Lines per Octave
  • Lines a Major 3rd Apart, 2 per Octave, Compact Staff
  • Lines a Tritone Apart, 2 per Octave, or 1 Line per Octave
  • 7-5 Line Pattern, 3, 5, or 6 Lines per Octave
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