Bruno Nettl on Transcription
I can’t say a thing until I see the score.
The main purpose of the notation systems is to show
the changes of a musical performance and the
characteristics of the same that remain dominant
through out the performance such as: tone scales,
vocal technique, and rhythmic pattern.
Transcription dates back to the 19 th Century in
the 1880’s with researchers such as Carl Stumpf.
Its main purpose at this time was to show that
music existed as there was no other form of
recording.
The was a variety of methods between 1955.
By 1970s- 1980s, notation functioned as an
accompaniment to available recordings.
20th Century began with an objective to describe
and analyse sound which was followed by a
need to increase objectivity in the middle of the
century.
The was a variety of methods between 1955.
By 1970s- 1980s, notation functioned as an
accompaniment to available recordings.
Two main Categories: Descriptive and
Prescriptive
Descriptive:
Notation for Analysis.
By and for Outsider.
Contains in-depth details of a performance with
little regard for events and units.
Prescriptive:
Notation for performance.
By and for Insider
Only contains relevant information for
performance.
Solution:
Use notation systems of the non-Western
societies (music in its own terms)
Use of mechanical or electronic melograph
An inclusion of dance and movement with the
notation of sound.
Difference in techniques
Ethnomusicologists isolate the elements they consider as
• most useful to their readers to provide them with a sense
of details that happens in the music.
In summary
• A combination of ear and machine in the
notation process is highly suggested.
Machines help us to hear objectively without
bias from our prior musical training while the
ear confirms what we’ve heard and seen
represented in notation.
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