Johnston–Copper notation: Difference between revisions

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In Johnston's hand-engraved score the neutral sign looks somewhat like a thick dash or hyphen; in Copper's notation, made with the Score computer engraving program ( [[scor4]]) , it is an arrow with a flag at the top (used for the 'down one comma' neutral indication). Both are used for exactly the same purpose: in C major, Johnston's score, the note D if unaltered would sound too high, since it is tuned by default as a perfect fifth above the G according to the three 4:5:6 chords. in beginning as he does, he wants the D to be tuned lower and in fact, tuned exactly to the open D string. In D major, Copper's score, the equivalent note is an E , a perfect fifth above the A according to the same three 4:5:6 chords in D major; and for the same reason, the note E if unaltered would sound too high in bar 3 if not altered down by a comma. This gives a first orientation toward understanding how Johnston's notation is modified by Johnston-Copper notation: the addition of a key signature changes which notes need alteration. Copper's notation in C major is identical to Johnston's, with the minor difference of symbol designs.

To indicate a 'neutral' comma higher, Johnston uses two symbols: the same thick dash or hyphen plus a small arrow pointing up. In Johnston-Copper Notation, this symbol is condensed into the simpler flagged arrow pointing up. Johnston also uses (especially in later works, such as the 6th string quartet) a modified sharp sign with a down arrow; Johnston-Copper notation uses the same symbol to indicate a note that is 'sharp', according to the key signature, and tuned down by a comma. In a flat key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small down arrow on the lower 'leg' of the natural sign.

To indicate a 'neutral' comma higher, Johnston uses two symbols: the same thick dash or hyphen plus a small arrow pointing up. In Johnston-Copper Notation, this symbol is condensed into the simpler flagged arrow pointing up. Johnston also uses (especially in later works, such as the 6th string quartet) a modified sharp sign with a down arrow; Johnston-Copper notation uses the same symbol to indicate a note that is 'sharp', according to the key signature, and tuned down by a comma. In a flat key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small down arrow on the lower 'leg' of the natural sign. When a note is modified by a flat sign and at the same time must be tuned higher by a comma it is notated as a flat sign with an additional up-pointing arrow head. In a sharp key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small up arrow on the upper 'leg' of the natural sign.

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	In Johnston's hand-engraved score the neutral sign looks somewhat like a thick dash or hyphen; in Copper's notation, made with the Score computer engraving program ( [[scor4]]) , it is an arrow with a flag at the top (used for the 'down one comma' neutral indication). Both are used for exactly the same purpose: in C major, Johnston's score, the note D if unaltered would sound too high, since it is tuned by default as a perfect fifth above the G according to the three 4:5:6 chords. in beginning as he does, he wants the D to be tuned lower and in fact, tuned exactly to the open D string. In D major, Copper's score, the equivalent note is an E , a perfect fifth above the A according to the same three 4:5:6 chords in D major; and for the same reason, the note E if unaltered would sound too high in bar 3 if not altered down by a comma. This gives a first orientation toward understanding how Johnston's notation is modified by Johnston-Copper notation: the addition of a key signature changes which notes need alteration. Copper's notation in C major is identical to Johnston's, with the minor difference of symbol designs.		In Johnston's hand-engraved score the neutral sign looks somewhat like a thick dash or hyphen; in Copper's notation, made with the Score computer engraving program ( [[scor4]]) , it is an arrow with a flag at the top (used for the 'down one comma' neutral indication). Both are used for exactly the same purpose: in C major, Johnston's score, the note D if unaltered would sound too high, since it is tuned by default as a perfect fifth above the G according to the three 4:5:6 chords. in beginning as he does, he wants the D to be tuned lower and in fact, tuned exactly to the open D string. In D major, Copper's score, the equivalent note is an E , a perfect fifth above the A according to the same three 4:5:6 chords in D major; and for the same reason, the note E if unaltered would sound too high in bar 3 if not altered down by a comma. This gives a first orientation toward understanding how Johnston's notation is modified by Johnston-Copper notation: the addition of a key signature changes which notes need alteration. Copper's notation in C major is identical to Johnston's, with the minor difference of symbol designs.

	To indicate a 'neutral' comma higher, Johnston uses two symbols: the same thick dash or hyphen plus a small arrow pointing up. In Johnston-Copper Notation, this symbol is condensed into the simpler flagged arrow pointing up. Johnston also uses (especially in later works, such as the 6th string quartet) a modified sharp sign with a down arrow; Johnston-Copper notation uses the same symbol to indicate a note that is 'sharp', according to the key signature, and tuned down by a comma. In a flat key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small down arrow on the lower 'leg' of the natural sign.		To indicate a 'neutral' comma higher, Johnston uses two symbols: the same thick dash or hyphen plus a small arrow pointing up. In Johnston-Copper Notation, this symbol is condensed into the simpler flagged arrow pointing up. Johnston also uses (especially in later works, such as the 6th string quartet) a modified sharp sign with a down arrow; Johnston-Copper notation uses the same symbol to indicate a note that is 'sharp', according to the key signature, and tuned down by a comma. In a flat key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small down arrow on the lower 'leg' of the natural sign. When a note is modified by a flat sign and at the same time must be tuned higher by a comma it is notated as a flat sign with an additional up-pointing arrow head. In a sharp key, such a note is indicated by a natural sign modified to add a small up arrow on the upper 'leg' of the natural sign.