MakeMusic Forum

Home | Log In | Register | Search | Help

MakeMusic Forum > Public Forums > Finale - Windows - FORUM HAS MOVED! > Speaking of harp... (slightly OT)

Forum Quick Jump

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Michel R. E.
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 7430

Posted 10/29/2016 12:02 PM (GMT -6)

I believe (if I understood her correctly) that Gould recommends using a full spelling of accidentals before a glissando (ie: DCB|EFGA)

I have a passage in a large orchestral work with a rather convoluted harp part, with a gradual chromatic shift, note by note, which culminates in glissandi.
There isn't really room between the staves to include a full diagram, and at the point of the actual glissandi there is no actual change of accidentals from the previous measure.

I can see the utility of including the full diagram to avoid having the harpist need to go back measures and measures to figure out where they were accidental-wise.

How do others handle this sort of situation.

Finale (started with ver. 3.0) using 2012 (2014 has been shelved for its lack of support for older Garritan libraries), putting Finale 25 through its paces.
Windows 8.1
basically ALL Garritan libraries, plus XSample Chamber Ensemble.

"Art critics suffer from Pigeon Syndrome. Pigeons like to leave their mark on monuments. But at the end of the day, the pigeon remains a pigeon, and the monument remains a monument."

Zuill
"The Troll"

Date Joined Oct 2003
Total Posts : 29077

Posted 10/29/2016 12:34 PM (GMT -6)

From my experience, most harpists say they do their own diagrams, so don't do them. Maybe the initial one, but that's it. So, what Gould says may not agree with many of the harpists out there.

Zuill

"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

Win 7 64bit, 2011b, 2012c, 2014d, 2014.5

Favorite Forum quote: "Please, everybody, IGNORE THE TROLL!"

Motet
Isorhythmic

Date Joined Dec 2002
Total Posts : 12849

Posted 10/29/2016 1:22 PM (GMT -6)

I stopped doing them--I just write the notes.

Finale 2014.5, 2011b, 2005, TGTools
Windows 7, MIDI input
Finale Transposition Chart

Michel R. E.
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 7430

Posted 10/29/2016 3:40 PM (GMT -6)

I wouldn't use an actual diagram (the horizontal line with vertical hashes to show pedal positions), but a "list" of notes.

My thinking is that it is so difficult to get any performances of new works, that when one presents itself the composer has to do everything in their to facilitate the very limited rehearsal time.

Zuill
"The Troll"

Date Joined Oct 2003
Total Posts : 29077

Posted 10/29/2016 7:26 PM (GMT -6)

Letters or diagram, most harpists do their own. However, if it is for a good sight reading, I suppose it's best to err on the side of caution.

Zuill

"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

Win 7 64bit, 2011b, 2012c, 2014d, 2014.5

Favorite Forum quote: "Please, everybody, IGNORE THE TROLL!"

Michel R. E.
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 7430

Posted 10/29/2016 8:04 PM (GMT -6)

I spent some time this week looking at various orchestral harp parts from the repertoire on IMSLP, and was very surprised at how few (almost none, actually) included harp tuning markings. They were almost 100% pencilled in by harpists (before the parts were scanned).

Ebony Ivory
On Ebony And Ivory I'll Tinkle All Day Long

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 4594

Posted 10/31/2016 12:17 PM (GMT -6)

Simple notes are what I see most often - obviously including any enharmonic doubles (B and Cb, or D# and Eb, etc) as needed. Makes it look weird from a pianist's point of view, but perfectly acceptable to harpists.

Brian

Forum Information

Currently it is Tuesday, December 19, 2023 6:46 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 403,820 posts in 58,165 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual