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Exploring Alternative Music Notation Systems

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Lines a Major 3rd Apart, 3 Lines per Octave

These systems achieve a less dense appearance through lines that are spaced a major third apart. Between the lines are three elevations where notes are placed. One of the three lines per octave is either bold or dashed to allow for identification of the lines when more than one staff is stacked contiguously for a greater pitch range. Some systems use hollow and solid noteheads to help differentiate between adjacent pitches.

Chromatic scale from C to C in Chromatic 6-6 Notation by Johannes Beyreuther C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

Chromatic 6-6 Notation by Johannes Beyreuther, 1985

Chromatic scale from C to C in 6-6 Klavar by Cornelis Pot C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

6-6 Klavar by Cornelis Pot, 1972

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

Untitled by Arnold Schoenberg, 1924

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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