The Music Notation Project

Exploring Alternative Music Notation Systems

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Lines a Whole Step Apart, 4 or 3 Lines per Octave

Several systems have a four-line staff alternating with two adjacent ledger lines. They are similar to the five-line staves (above), but they are slightly less visually dense (or “busy”), and require more ledger lines. They are also less likely to be confused with traditional notation. One system goes further with only three lines that alternate with three ledger lines per octave. Signs such as dynamic markings can be written in the space created by the ledger lines, even when multiple staves are stacked contiguously.

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

A-B Chromatic Notation by Albert Brennink, 1976

Chromatic scale from C to C in 6-6 Tetragram by Richard ParncuttC C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Ab B C

6-6 Tetragram by Richard Parncutt, 1996

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

6-6 Trigram Notation by Richard Parncutt, 1990

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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