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Exploring Alternative Music Notation Systems

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Isomorph Notation
by Tadeusz Wójcik, 1952

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

See more scales, intervals, and melodies with the AudioVisualizer.

A heavy line represents D. Three ordinary staff lines represent the group of three black keys on the piano (F#, G# and A#). The distance between the D line and the group of three lines is twice the distance between adjacent lines in the group of three. Black noteheads are used for the whole-note scale that includes the lines, and white noteheads for the other whole-tone scale. The rhythmic notation is proportional. The line pattern and rhythmic notation make it resemble a horizontal 6-6 version of Klavar notation. As in Klavar, the noteheads are actually circular (not oval as depicted here), and white and black noteheads are always placed on opposite sides of the stem.

Earliest documentation: 1952

Source: Directory of Music Notation Proposals, section/page: 10/35, 11/2, 13/103

Similar notations: Klavar, Mirck Version, 6-6 Klavar by Cornelis Pot, Klavar, Dekker Version by Antoon Dekker

Miscellaneous examples: Major Scale Comparison  Triad Comparison  Jazz Chords Comparison

Manuscript paper: Discontinuous Staves  Continuous Staves  Piano Staves

→ Next Two Notation Systems →

Chromatic scale from C to C in DA Notation by Rich Reed C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

DA Notation by Rich Reed

Chromatic scale from C to C in Numbered Notes, Notes-Only Version by Jason MacCoy C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Numbered Notes, Notes-Only by Jason MacCoy

← Previous Two Notation Systems ←

Chromatic scale from C to C in Note for Note by Walter H. Thelwall C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Note for Note by Walter H. Thelwall

Chromatic scale from C to C in Proportional Chromatic Musical Notation by Henri Carcelle C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Proportional Chromatic Musical Notation by Henri Carcelle

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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