As a composer, notation is a crucial aspect of my art. It allows me to convey my musical ideas to performers, enabling them to bring my compositions to life. While standard music notation is the predominant system in Western classical music, there are numerous other methods of notating music. These include non-standard notation systems and systems that don’t use notation at all, relying instead on oral transmission and physical gestures. In this article, we will delve into the various ways music can be “notated,” with examples from around the globe and examples that explore the future of music notation.

I will not be going too much into the historical development of music notation, but this is more of a survey of different notation systems. Stick around to the end and I explore what the future of notation may be!

Music Notation Investigations

1. Standard Music Notation
2. Sargam
3. Oral “Notation”
4. Gestures
5. Textiles
6. Ceramics
7. Virtual Reality
8. Gestural Notation
9. Neural Notation
10. Organic Notation
11. Augmented Reality Notation

Standard Music Notation

I won’t say too much on this since most people reading this will be very familiar with standard music notation. One thing I’d like to point out is that the development of this notation was one of humanity’s first attempts at writing down discreet and repeatable units of time. There were plenty of ingenious clocks and machines that broke time down and made time more visual, but music notation attempted to capture time on a page. I think this is one of the remarkable features of this notation. Capturing time and an equally ephemeral element – sound – is no small feat, which is why it took thousands of years of development to arrive at the standard notation we know and love – well maybe not love but at least use and appreciate.

Sargam (solfege) Notation

Sargam is a system of music notation used in traditional Indian music to represent pitch and melody. It is based on the solmization system, which uses syllables to represent specific pitches on the musical scale. The syllables used in sargam notation are:

• Sa: the tonic pitch
• Re: the second pitch
• Ga: the third pitch
• Ma: the fourth pitch
• Pa: the fifth pitch
• Dha: the sixth pitch
• Ni: the seventh pitch

In addition to these syllables, sargam notation also includes symbols for different types of ornamentation, such as meend (slides), gamak (vibrato), and murki (grace notes). Sargam notation is written using Devanagari script, the script used to write Hindi and other languages in India.

Sargam notation is used in many different forms of Indian music, including classical, folk, and popular music. It is an important part of the musical traditions of India, and is used by composers and performers to preserve and transmit musical styles and repertoire. Sargam notation is also used in music education, as it provides a systematic way for students to learn and practice Indian music.

Western music uses the solfege system with the following sylables:

• Do: the tonic
• Di: the tonic raised by 1/2 step
• Re: the second pitch
• Ri: the second pitch raised by 1/2 step
• Me: the third pitch
• Mi: the third pitch raised by 1/2 step
• Fa: the fourth pitch
• Fi: the fourth pitch raised by 1/2 step
• So: the fifth pitch
• Si: the fifth pitch raised by 1/2 step
• La: the sixth pitch
• Li: the sixth pitch raised by 1/2 step
• Ti: the seventh pitch

When I was in Thailand studying to play the kim, the classical Thai music I was taught was notated solfege using Thai script. This surprised me.

Oral “Notation”

Oral transmission is a method of preserving and transmitting music through singing and listening, rather than through written notation. It has been used in numerous cultures and musical traditions throughout history to preserve and pass down musical styles and repertoire.

One example of oral transmission in music is the tradition of Native American cultures, in which music is passed down through singing and listening. In these cultures, music is an integral part of cultural identity and is used for ceremonies, rituals, and other significant events. The oral transmission of music helps to preserve these traditions and keep them alive for future generations.

Oral transmission is also prevalent in African musical traditions, such as the griot tradition in West Africa. Griots are musicians and oral historians who play a central role in preserving and transmitting the cultural traditions of their communities through music. They learn and perform traditional songs and melodies through oral transmission, using their music to tell stories, convey cultural values, and record history.

Another example of oral transmission in music is the tradition of blues and jazz in the United States. These musical styles evolved out of the oral traditions of African American communities and were passed down through singing and listening. Many of the songs and melodies in these traditions were never written down, but were instead transmitted orally.

Advantages of oral “notation”

One advantage of oral transmission in music is that it can be easier to transmit certain types of music, such as music that is highly improvisatory or uses complex rhythms and melodies. Flamenco music is a good example of this, as it is known for its intricate rhythms, expressive melodies, and improvisatory nature. It can be difficult to capture the complexity and nuance of flamenco music in written notation, and many flamenco musicians rely on oral transmission as a way to preserve and transmit the music.

Another advantage of oral transmission is that it allows for a certain level of flexibility and creativity in the interpretation and performance of music. When music is transmitted orally, performers have the freedom to interpret the music in their own way and to add their own personal touch to the performance. This can lead to a greater sense of connection and ownership among performers, and can help to keep the music alive and evolving. I’ve seen Western classical performers obsess over playing a measure “perfectly” and though they may play the notes “correctly” they can miss the big picture of the music they are trying so hard to play.

In addition to these advantages, oral transmission can also help to preserve the cultural context and significance of the music. When music is transmitted orally, it is often accompanied by stories, rituals, and other cultural traditions that give the music meaning and depth. This can be lost when music is written down and becomes more abstract and removed from its cultural context.

While oral transmission may not be as precise as written notation, it has many advantages and has played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of music in many different cultures and musical traditions.

Gestural music “notation”

Gestural music notation is a system of notating music that uses gestures and body movement to represent musical ideas. It is based on the idea that music and movement are closely interconnected, and that gestures can be used to convey musical expression and intent. Gestural notation has been used in various musical traditions throughout history, and can be a powerful tool for improvisation and interpretation.

One example of gestural notation is the use of hand gestures by conductors to guide musicians in ensemble performance. Conductors use a range of hand gestures to indicate the tempo, phrasing, and dynamics of the music, and to cue the entrance of different instruments or sections. Conductors have been using hand gestures as a form of gestural notation for centuries, and it is an integral part of ensemble performance in many different musical styles.

Another example of gestural notation is the use of dance and movement to represent music in some African and indigenous cultures. In these cultures, music and movement are closely intertwined, and dancers often use specific gestures and movements to represent specific rhythms, melodies, and musical ideas. For example, in the traditional music of West Africa, dancers often use hand gestures and footwork to represent the rhythms and melodies of the music.

The ancient Egyptians also used gestures to guide musicians, as depicted in tomb paintings and other artwork from the time period. In these depictions, musicians are shown using hand gestures to indicate the melody and rhythm of the music, and to cue the entrance of different instruments.

The future of connecting music with movement

As technology advances, it may be possible to develop systems for notating music using gestures and body movement. This could involve the use of sensors and wearable technology to capture and interpret the movement of a performer’s arms, hands, and body, and translate it into musical notation based on movement.

Music notation in textiles

During my undergraduate work I was lucky enough to see a presentation of music from members of a tribe that live in the forests of Brazil. They had an absolutely incredible relationship with music. For them music was a way to “see” a person and a way to heal by using vibrations. They said that humans were just vibrations and when we do not vibrate in harmony, we are sick! This tribe notated music as lines embroidered on cloth.

Another example of music notation that has been woven or embroidered into textiles is the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-meter-long linen tapestry that depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The tapestry includes a section that shows the singing of a song called “The Song of Roland,” which is one of the oldest surviving examples of European music. The lyrics of the song are written in Latin and are embroidered into the tapestry, with the notation using a combination of letters and symbols to represent the melody.

Another example of music notation woven into a textile is the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, a medieval illuminated manuscript that includes a depiction of a choir singing a hymn. The notation for the hymn is written in red ink and is embroidered into the manuscript, with the notes and lyrics depicted as if they are being sung by the choir.

In some Native American cultures, music notation has been woven into ceremonial robes and other clothing as a way to record and preserve traditional songs and melodies. This practice reflects the important role that music plays in these cultures as a way to transmit cultural traditions, stories, and history.

Music notation woven into textiles is often done using a combination of symbols and visual elements that represent specific pitches, rhythms, and melodies. These symbols and visual elements can be created using a variety of techniques, such as embroidery, beadwork, and quillwork.

One example of a Native American culture that has a tradition of weaving music notation into textiles is the Haida, a indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. The Haida have a tradition of using woven robes and blankets to record and preserve traditional songs and melodies, with the notation for the songs being embroidered into the fabric using colored threads.

Other Native American cultures that have a tradition of weaving music notation into textiles include the Lakota, the Navajo, and the Pueblo. In these cultures, music notation woven into textiles is often used in ceremonies and rituals as a way to connect with the spiritual world and to honor the ancestors.

Ceramics and music notation

One example of this is the Chinese “moon amphora,” a type of ceramic jar that was used to store water or wine during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The moon amphora features a depiction of a musician playing a lute, with the notation for the music written in Chinese characters around the sides of the jar. The notation includes the lyrics and melody for a song called “Heavenly Questions,” which is one of the oldest surviving examples of Chinese music.

Another example of music notation on ceramics is the use of musical symbols and inscriptions on ancient Greek vases. These symbols and inscriptions include representations of musical instruments, such as the lyre and the harp, as well as abstract symbols that may represent specific pitches or rhythms.

Overall, the use of music notation on ceramics reflects the important role that music played in many different cultures throughout history, and the desire to incorporate music into everyday objects and decorative items.

Future music notations

1. Neural Notation – the use of brain-computer interfaces to create and interpret music notation. This could involve the use of electrodes or other sensors to detect and interpret the brain activity of a composer or performer and translate it into music notation in real-time. Maybe the audience is also hooked up to a neural link system…
2. Organic Notation – Instead of using written or printed symbols to represent music, it is possible that music notation could be created using living organisms or natural materials. For example, music notation could be created using plants or other living organisms that respond to stimuli in specific ways or using materials that change color or shape in response to certain frequencies or vibrations. I think of this one as not necessarily the environment reacting to music but the performers actually playing from the organic “score.”
3. Augmented Reality Notation – Music notation could also be created using augmented reality technology, which would allow notation to be displayed and interacted with in the real world. This could involve the use of smartphones or other devices to display notation in the environment, or the use of specialized glasses or other wearable technology to display notation directly in a performer’s field of vision.