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Summary:

Abstract: Composition has been conceptualized as a method for communicating a way of thinking (i.e., cognition) from composers to performers and audience members. Music notation, or how music is represented in a visual format, becomes the vehicle through which such cognition is communicated. In the past, research on notation has been approached either categorically or as a taxonomy, where it is placed into separate categories based primarily on visual elements, including its symbols, conventions, and practices. The modern application of notation in Western classical music repertoire, however, has shown that the boundaries between these systems are not always clear and sometimes blend together. Viewing music notation from a spectrum-based approach instead provides a better understanding of notation through its cognitive effects. These spectra can then be viewed through multiple dimensions, all addressing different aspects. The first dimension consists of the historical systems of notation, ranging from standard music notation (SMN) to music graphics. Additional kinds of notation, such as proportional, pictorial, and aleatoric, work as the mediary levels between these two. The second dimension focuses on whether notation is processed intuitively, based on either cultural priming or general cognitive principles, or through conscious interpretation. The last dimension views notation as either a visual representation of the sound (descriptive) or a representation of the process performed to create the sound (prescriptive). This thesis conceptualizes a theory for understanding music notation though these multiple dimensions by synthesizing psychological studies about music, music notation research, and pre-existing musical scores.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction. General background and history ; Literature review ; Spectrum-based approach to notation ; Main argument
• The psychology behind music notation. General information about the perception of music ; Interpretation ; Metaphor ; Gestalt psychology ; Schematics ; Association ; Intent
• Dimensions of notation. Standard music notation (SMN) ; Music graphics ; Proportional notation ; Pictorial notation ; Aleatoric notation ; Intuitive and interpretative notation ; Descriptive and prescriptive notation
• Conclusion. Variations and future research
• Appendix: Five variations written within notation systems.

Author/Creator:

Leinbach, Cade , author

Contributors:

Klein, Joseph, 1962- , major professor

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

Item content: English

Main Work:

A Multi-Dimensional Approach towards Understanding Music Notation through Cognition [by Leinbach, C.]

Related Series:

NT thesis, Music (Complete); [volume] 2020

Subjects:

Musical notation

Music — Psychological aspects

Composition (Music)

Music

Genres:

Academic theses

Dissertation Notes:

M.A. ― University of North Texas, 2020.

General Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 80-84).
Description based on: Online resource; title from PDF title page (UNT Digital Library, viewed December 16, 2021).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (v, 84 pages) : illustrations, music.

Digital Characteristics:

text file

Call Numbers:

Electronic Thesis

OCLC Numbers:

1300232107