Genaral music notation questions for gitterists

• Jul 2, 2016 - 20:02

1) Is there a better way to notate D#m6no3 other than D#m6no3? Maybe D#5add6? or what? I'd like it if it were a little less unwieldy in my score.

2) The chord symbols go UNDER a Volta, right?

V4sample.jpg


Comments

It's usually more important to capture the *function* of the chord than the specific voicing. After all, the voicing used in the chorale arrangement totally depends on the voicing of the previous and next chord, and a guitarist would not be voicing either of those chords the same way as the chorale. So if you truly believe that chord to be *functioning* as D#m6, then just notate it that way. Personally, though, without knowing the music, I doubt very much that is really the actual function - I think the B is just a non-harmonic tone (ie, a passing tone) that in no way should constrain accompanists to double that note. Quite opposite in fact - it's often a *bad* idea for the accompaniment to double non-harmonic tones in the melody. But I'd have to know more about the context to really say.

As for voltas, it can be done either way, but I probably see chords under voltas more often.

The 6 in D#m6 is not flattened. Likewise in your other candidate. It seems like you're trying to throw in a B, but actually adding a C. Anyway, I agree with Marc that you probably shouldn't be slavishly constructing a chord to match the notes at every beat (not that my opinion here is worth much).

In reply to by MikeN

So, maybe I should leave it D#m from the second measure until the G#m in the last measure? - I deliberately remove the third for the keyboard accompaniment.

It's deliberately non-harmonic in this portion. The song has ten verses, nine of which are joyous and uplifting. But the fourth verse is the Crucifixion of Christ, so I left the last three measures of that verse minor and discordant, followed by the fifth verse which is the Resurrection.

But I like the idea of leaving the D#m until the G#m, that is the feel.

Thanks!

That's the thing - go with your feel and then try some different chords. What about just plain, old B7, for instance? Or B Aug if you prefer?

In reply to by underquark

B7 doesn't fit with the feel. It's supposed to be disharmonious, maybe a little chaotic, only in these three measures, and only with the one verse.

I did change the chord to D#m.

I might change some of the other chords, for example where I have E/A - Esus - E to just "E," or F#/A# - F#9/A# - F#/A# to just "F#/A#" if it would be easier for a gitterist. I like those bass divisions because I usually play octaves in the bass clef on the Pianana if I'm playing a song from the music without ever having heard it before. I can read music, but if I've got to play something right away (especially with other musicians) I usually use melody line and gitter chords.

I don't know how to do capo chords, I don't even know if MuseScore handles them, As a Pianinano player capo chords always confused me, so I never liked them.

The complete score is here:
https://musescore.com/user/1341026/scores/2349421

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