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Alpha: Notation

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written by: mikemilton

The stuff above headed me in that direction but using the chromatic keyboard. (I've been playing in scales - amazing how songs just emerge when all the notes are correct-ish).

So I did a couple of simple chords on a guitar-like diagram using the number system above.

The first two are here: http://eigenharps.blogspot.com/2010/07/alpha-chromatic-chord-shapes.html

Do click on the image for a readable size. Knowing how to construct chords lets you build more complex versions from this starting point

Then John Morley asked for a more interesting example and suggested a tritone substitution.

So I did this one: http://eigenharps.blogspot.com/2010/07/tritone-substitution.html

I learned a lot going through this as an exercise.

This leads me to think that I'd like to be able to add a control keygroup, which could be left at the top like the scales and root group. It would have keys for each root and keys for chord types (major, minor, etc). This would be used to light patterns in the playing (chromatic) key group. Select major, push c and CEG based on middle c light red, all other instances of CEG light green. While I'm being bold, I'd ask to be able to *record* this control keygroup. Note that I do not want this to actually sound anything.

The result would be visually dramatic - in effect you are using the keyboard to visualize the chord progressions of the song - and it would afford the player chord diagrams superimposed on the actual keyboard. The latter might be interesting in improvising lead solos.

written by: mikemilton

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:38:29 +0100 BST

I've made a couple of entries on my blog http://eigenharps.blogspot.com/
about the idea of a modified notation optimized for the alpha.

It is based on some ideas here: http://musicnotation.org/

While it shows some promise, there should probably be some way to suggest possible fingering; perhaps with tab-like numbers suggesting which course to play rather than which finger (or both?)?

I'd be interested in knowing if you think this is potentially useful.

Also, would it be useful to develop a set of interval based chord charts that show the shapes for chords in some scales?


written by: mikemilton

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:54:54 +0100 BST

This is another possible (and quite different) direction to take
http://numberednotes.com/

One could consider numbering Alpha keys from 1, starting from the C in the middle course (chromatic) with 'prime' markings for different courses

So:
C would be 1 ,
E would be 1' , (or 5 if played in the center course)
g# above would be 1''
while g# below would be '1 (or -4 if played in the center course)

Actually, the mathy in me wants to make C be zero but that is another quirk to be stamped out.

A numbering system like this could be overlaid on the staff above to better suggest fingering or it could be overlaid on a standard staff.

Exactly the same numbering system could be used in different scales (since it is key not tone oriented) for music that does not include notes outside of the scale used. While this does not work on the chromatic scale I've been toying with, it would work on standard notation.


written by: barnone

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:48:22 +0100 BST

Hi Mike.

I'd like to see graphic chord charts with different scales. Using the visual of the Alpha keys and filling in buttons using a graphics program.

Not super interested in reading music myself.

I think it's really helpful to learn visual patterns, that seems to be the way I learn I guess.


written by: mikemilton

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:13:41 +0100 BST

The stuff above headed me in that direction but using the chromatic keyboard. (I've been playing in scales - amazing how songs just emerge when all the notes are correct-ish).

So I did a couple of simple chords on a guitar-like diagram using the number system above.

The first two are here: http://eigenharps.blogspot.com/2010/07/alpha-chromatic-chord-shapes.html

Do click on the image for a readable size. Knowing how to construct chords lets you build more complex versions from this starting point

Then John Morley asked for a more interesting example and suggested a tritone substitution.

So I did this one: http://eigenharps.blogspot.com/2010/07/tritone-substitution.html

I learned a lot going through this as an exercise.

This leads me to think that I'd like to be able to add a control keygroup, which could be left at the top like the scales and root group. It would have keys for each root and keys for chord types (major, minor, etc). This would be used to light patterns in the playing (chromatic) key group. Select major, push c and CEG based on middle c light red, all other instances of CEG light green. While I'm being bold, I'd ask to be able to *record* this control keygroup. Note that I do not want this to actually sound anything.

The result would be visually dramatic - in effect you are using the keyboard to visualize the chord progressions of the song - and it would afford the player chord diagrams superimposed on the actual keyboard. The latter might be interesting in improvising lead solos.



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