Product Description

This pocket-sized dictionary presents current and correct notation practices in an easy-to-use format. Generously illustrated and concise, this book is essential to any musician looking for a handy reference for the correct notation of music. A most welcome and beneficial source for every musician, whether using a pencil or a computer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69587 in Books
• Published on: 1996-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

Useful, for the price, but very limited
This is a useful, short dictionary, probably worth its modest price.

It is by no means a complete reference work on music notation. Instead, it covers most of the basics, and also a more-or-less random, small selection of less basic topics. This is not a guide for reading music; it is a handbook for people preparing notated scores and parts, whether by hand or by computer. It is unlikely to answer all the questions that would come up in notating any reasonably complicated piece of music. It will suffice, however, to notate a simple piece professionally, in either classical or pop/jazz style.

All of the entries accurately describe standard notational practice. Precise guidance is often given as to exact positioning and size, e.g. whether a given articulation is centered on a note stem or a note head, what angle of beam to use for different intervals, and where to place dots. The sections on topics like meter, rests, slurs, and ties are lucid and thorough.

On the other hand, precise guidance is often absent. For example, correct notation of the treble and bass clefs requires knowing that they are also, respectively, a "G" and an "F" clef, and should be positioned in a specific way to mark those pitches. The entry on "glissando" fails to explain how to notate the precise rhythm of a glissando (in the sense of its duration, and at what point in the measure it ends). The positioning of accidentals in chords of more than 3 notes is explained ambiguously, but not illustrated. No guidance at all is given on how to notate an interval of an altered unison (e.g., a B-flat/B-natural pairing.)

Little guidance at all is given on notating wind or percussion parts.

By contrast, several pages are given over to repetitive explanations of the various permutations of "D.C./D.S./coda/fine" combinations. Complete charts of key signatures in treble, bass, alto and tenor clefs use up more pages (even though the pattern is the same in every clef.) Oddities like flutter-pedaling on the piano damper and heel-toe technique on the organ pedals are illustrated. Overall, the choices of what to cover outside of the basics have a random feel.

Large print is used, which means less material is covered, but subtle details of notation are easily seen.

Handy inexpensive reference book
This is a handy little book, including many specifics on music notation, well worth the price. While it may not include everything on notation, its convenient format allows quick answers to many questions regarding formal music notation. I am using it in post-grad composition studies as a quick reference. I'd advise it for all music majors, and anyone with an interest in music writing.

Comprehensive, Accessible, and Essential!,
The 'Essential Dictionary of Music Notation' is in pocket-dictionary style allowing cross-referencing and easy-to-find explanations alphabetically. The range of topics covered is large and the amount of detail useful. It allows the book to be useful both to beginners and to professionals. It forgets that most computers can automatically layout pages correctly, for example, and that some of the theory is nowadays irrelevant. But this is good, and often useful to know when writing by hand and when editing.

Illustrations depicts the meaning often. For an example, under 'Articulation' it lists the 5 main types of articulation and then divides them into Durational and Forceful. It then tells you in detail what they all do and how they should be written. Although dynamics are obviously listed in this way, the range and detail of the dynamic, I feel, is inadequate.

The book covers traditional notation as well as TAB, and specialist requirements for certain instruments. 351 pages - for the price the dictionary is excellent. Portable and full of information, which can be easily and quickly understood.

However, the authors don't try to make out that this guide is all you need to know. A larger book would be more detailed. This is well worth it!