The Graphic Score: music and notation “outside the lines”

Mary Hubbell brought to class many examples of the “broken rules” in Western Classical Music of the twentieth century.  Singers were confronted with many new demands and expectations by composers. Composition was not confined to notes and rests.

Cathy Berberian’s “Stripsody,” notation based on sounds from comic strips, was a fun example.

"Stripsody" by Cathy Berberian

I know you want to hear it again! Follow along with the score!

In “Scoring Outside the Lines,” composer Pat Muchmore offers us a historical view of these graphic scores and why they are “slightly magical” and appropriate to him as a composer.

Give the article a read… especially his last section “IV.”
Does popular music have an equivalent style of notation?

 

 

About Jennifer Wilson

FPA Adjunct
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