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Topic: Performance Style attributes (Read 6683 times) previous topic - next topic

Performance Style attributes

Do any of these <TAGS> have any affect on the actual MIDI performance or are they just available for notation (visual) performance. Does putting Legato at the beginning of a staff actually make it that way, or is that mostly done through slurs.

Ad libitum - "At will"
Animato - Animated or spirited
Cantabile - In a singing style
Con brio - With animation
Dolce - Sweet
Espressivo - Expressive, emotional
Grazioso - Graceful
Legato - Smooth
Maestoso - Majestically, stately
Marcato - Marked. Stressed, accented
Meno mosso - Less lively
Poco a poco - Little by little
Piu mosso - More lively
Semplice - Simple
Simile - Continue in a similar manner
Solo - Alone
Sostenuto - Sustained
Sotto Voce -"Under the voice. Quietly
Staccato - Detached
Subito - Suddenly, immediately
Tenuto - Held
Tutti - "All". Entrance of full ensemble
Volta Subito

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #1 –
I know that both legato and tenuto work, I use them often. the others, I don't know.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #2 –
Staccato is the only other one in addition to legato and tenuto that makes any difference in performance style that I can discern.  The remaining are just notations and do not affect the MIDI performance.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #3 –
Since all the other performance markings are rather subjective in their exact execution, a computer program couldn't easily be made to interpret them satisfactorily.  Put them in for the printed score, and get the effects by inserting various MPCs (Multi-Point Controllers).

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #4 –
If only 3 of the Performance Style options have any playing significance, I was wondering why the others should even be included.

Wouldn't it make more sense to just let people use the TEXT option to include their own markings?

It would also be less confusing since one of the main features of NWC is that it is "easy to use" and uncomplicated.

That's just my personal thought. Perhaps some people like the quick insert of frequently used markings. Maybe a new menu heading should be created for these non-MIDI items.

I have a book that identifies these in 3-categories:

Mood Indications include (some examples):
abandono, agitato, animato, dolce, espressivo, furioso, galante, gaudioso, grave, pesante, religioso, semplice, tranquillo, vitamente

Directions for Execution include (some examples):
accento, articulato, desto, legato, loco, marcato, preciso, sotto voce, staccato, stentando, volante

Tempo Change Indications include (some examples):
allargando, calando, ritardando, rallentando, meno mosso, piu mosso, ad libitum, a tempo, rubato, tenuto

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #5 –
I would place sotto voce under Mood indications. Sotto voce = soft voice.
Funny, these 'grave' and 'pesante' next to each other. Heavy and heavy. The difference must be very subtle - just like the difference(s) between ritenuto, ritardando and rallantando.
(held back, slowing down and ???)

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #6 –
???= getting broader, I think

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #7 –
> The difference must be very subtle

Not from the definitions that I have seen:

grave - 1: extremely slow and solemn 2: Deep, low in pitch

pesante - Heavy; emphatic

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sotto voce - "below voice". To be PLAYED quietly or using a soft voice. That appears more like a direction of execution than a mood to me.

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ritardando - a gradual decrease in tempo

rallentando – a gradual decrease in tempo and force

ritenuto – holding back; a sudden reduction in tempo

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #8 –
You learn something every day!
I had not realised that legato would actually produce an organ like method of playback for organ pieces, rather than having lots of difficult slur lines - difficult because, especially using layering, they never seem to finish up where I want on the printed score.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #9 –
Legato and Tenuto seem to have identical effects: the note is played for its whole notated length. Staccato plays the notes quite short. Any of the other commands (including volta subito!) restore the playing style to the default, i.e. slightly shorter than notated.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #10 –
BTW, please don't use "volti subito" when there is a long rest on the next page.
"Subito" means quickly.  If I have ten bars rest, I can take my time.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #11 –
> Wouldn't it make more sense to just let people use the TEXT option to include their own markings?

The Performance Style item has existed in NWC since its original release, which predates general text input, which was not added until version 1.20.

See also:

NoteWorthy Composer History

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #12 –
I noticed while reviewing the NoteWorthy Composer History

Version 1.10 [features since 1.0]:
* Score builder tool
* Tool button access to the Score Builder tool

Is that still an active tool? I can't find it.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #13 –
The Score Builder tool does not directly exist in new versions.  As the product evolved, aspects of the Score Builder tool ended up on the Staff menu, as well as the Score Review tool.

Re: Performance Style attributes

Reply #14 –
Ya know what would be interesting to see in the NoteWorthy Composer History?
Release dates for each update.
Kinda "archeological," you might think, but interesting nonetheless.