chapter 3: the values and characteristics of notes

notesnotes

b

HALF NOTE 2 BEATS

2 HALF NOTES MAKE UP ONE MEASURE

QUARTER NOTE 1 BEAT4 QUARTER NOTES MAKE

UP ONE MEASURE

EIGHTH NOTE 1/2 BEAT

8 EIGHTH NOTES MAKE UP ONE MEASURE

C

Note refers to the length of a pitch within a musical score.

Notes are used to designate time within the score and form the connection between the pitch and the time signature.

Notes cannot exist without a specified pitch, key, time signature and tempo.

The tempo determines the relative length of each note. This length canbe outlined with the aid of a metronome, conductor or bass line.

Note lengths can be manipulated through the use of musical notations such as ties, dots and fermatas.

mus

ical

cha

ract

eris

tics

note

val

ue

Notes have similar notational qualities to pitches.

Notes are generally of equal dimension on the page and move horizontally and vertically as the pitches change and the song

progresses.

The space between notes on the staff changes as different note lengths occur.

b C

nota

tiona

l cha

ract

eris

tics

note

val

ue

When abstracted, notes are found in thickness of the “pitch” lines.

Line thickness correlates to the value of the note within the musical notation.

This value can be translated into units from any scale.

b C

2-di

men

sion

al a

bstr

actio

nno

te v

alue

Cbb

#

mf

Notes are also represented at the connections between “pitch” lines.

Spaces where “pitch” lines overlap are held together by notes.

2-di

men

sion

al a

bstr

actio

nno

te v

alue

Spatially, notes are the connections that hold the structuretogether. Notes indicate the creation of unspecified space

at the juncture where pitches come together.

Pitches can create both harmony and dissonance. Noteshave the ability to form harmonic or dissonant spaces at the

apex of pitch connections.

This translation from notation to space is more abstract. The spaces created are situational and

relate to programmatic concerns.

Using the program of temporary or permanent performance space, the harmonic atmosphere created by the note would occurin areas where the requirements for performance are met.

This type of performance space demands flexibility, pedestrian and vehicle access, some degree of shelter,

storage, and strong acoustics.

spat

ial c

hara

cter

istic

sno

te v

alue

note

val

ue

musical characteristics: notesmusical characteristics: notes

33