Harp Notation Comparison 1

[William Rinatti]

I would be interested to have opinions on which version of this one-bar figure harpists would rather read; the first or the second. Thanks!

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[wil-weten]

Frankly, I would suggest a third option. All notes notated in the treble staff, with the first 3 with the beam upward, the next 3 with the beam downward, than 3 notes with the beam upward. That way the harper knows you want clusters of 3 notes to be played alternatively with the right hand, the left hand and the right hand.

[carl-swanson]

I like wil-weten’s solution. A slightly different solution would be to start with your second version, and add down stems to the three notes to be played with the left hand. Those 3 notes would have double stems: up, to show they are part of a group of 9 notes, and down, to show they are played by the left hand.

[William Rinatti]

Wil-weten,

Thank you very much! I’ve redone it and will post your suggestion in a subsequent post along with another one that is similar.

[William Rinatti]

Carl-Swanson,

Thank you very much! I’ve redone it and will post your suggestion in a subsequent post along with another one that is similar.

[William Rinatti]

Guys, your solutions mean so much to me. I’ve been studying harp scoring for years and still trying to get a handle on harpists’ preferences. Here are the two solutions you suggested. Let me know what you think.

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[William Rinatti]

And I came up with a solution that splits the difference between the two suggestions I was given:

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[carl-swanson]

William,

I’ve had to do so much of this with my editions published by Carl Fischer Music. I frequently have to re-notate a passage or a measure to show as clearly as possible how it needs to be played. I frequently try several solutions and then use the one that instantly conveys all of the information needed.

In this particular case, all three of the solutions (from wil-weten, me, and your last solution) convey the necessary information. I do prefer mine for its simplicity and directness.

[William Rinatti]

Thanks a lot.

Are there any links to sample pages of your music at Carl Fischer by chance?

[William Rinatti]

I found your page, but they don’t give sample previews. Anyway, I might get the Fauré book you edited since he was such a remarkable composer.

[carl-swanson]

I believe there are sample pages of each edition up on my web site. My newest edition, a transcription for solo harp of Ravel’s Mother Goose, is due to be released any day. I transcribed all 5 pieces, and the one that nearly killed me was Beauty and the Beast. But it’s gorgeous on the harp, as are the other movements.

[William Rinatti]

Yes. Found it. Beautiful. I’ll wait for Mother Goose. I know it well from studying the orchestration.

[carl-swanson]

William,

If you send me your email address (privately) I’ll put you on my email list, and you’ll get the notice when it’s available.

[William Rinatti]

I did so via your site.

[balfour-knight]

Carl’s is the best!

[Author]

Posts