What is so difficult with Standard Notation?

[Zoot H Rollo]

good point mock.

we tend to get a bit euro-centric with more than just music.

f

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally posted by The Mock Turtle Regulator
also I've been reading about traditional Indian music- seems like the "default" key there was C as well, and they had seven note names to go with each scale note.

then again, they also used/use quarter tones and non-standard keys, consideration of which might wipe the smile off some of your faces

Not necessarily - I have read a bit about Indian classical music and what stuck with me was the fanatical devotion required by the players! So - this stuff is very difficult to play and requires a lifetime of study to be anything like competent.

Which brings us neatly back to Hambone's point - that standard notation is not that difficult and even schoolchildren can understand and play it, quite quickly - plus it is very widely-used - whereas classical Indian music is very much the province of the specialist/devotee.

I mentioned earlier that Japanese classical music uses non-standard systems and micro tonality - but in the same way, it is incredibly difficult and is dying out becaase it is much easier for your ears to become attuned to the western system.

The whole point of this thread is that standard notation isn't that difficult and it's almost certain that trying anything else is only going to make life more difficult for yourself - especially if you want to play with other people or make a career out of this!

 

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield

I have read a bit about Indian classical music and what stuck with me was the fanatical devotion required by the players! So - this stuff is very difficult to play and requires a lifetime of study to be anything like competent.


-which is exactly why I was saying that consideration of it might wipe the smile off some of your faces!


Which brings us neatly back to Hambone's point - that standard notation is not that difficult and even schoolchildren can understand and play it, quite quickly - plus it is very widely-used - whereas classical Indian music is very much the province of the specialist/devotee.


well, the reason I was reading about traditional Indian music (apart from being of Indian descent myself) was to find the roots of the known western system today, and what similarities there are/were.

also a song I've recently recorded with my original band uses an eastern scale, which I found corresponds to an Indian raga- and information about the original context of its use has definitely been enlightening.

I think that studying other musical traditions as well can be of great benefit.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally posted by The Mock Turtle Regulator

I think that studying other musical traditions as well can be of great benefit.

Of course I agree and having done this myself, I can only imagine that anyone who does this will very quickly realise that the "Western"/European system of standard notation is by far the simplest an easiest to use!