Info Catalog music-glossary: melodic cadence music-glossary: Musical terms A-Z music-glossary: mensuration sign

music-glossary: mensural notation

 
 1.191 mensural notation
 =======================
 
 ES: notación mensural, I: notazione mensurale, F: notation mensurale, D:
 Mensuralnotation, NL: ?, DK: ?, S: ?, FI: mensuraalinuotinnus.
 
    A system of duration notation whose principles were first established
 in the mid-13th century, and that (with various changes) remained in use
 until about 1600.  As such, it is the basis for the notation of rhythms
 in Western musical notation.
 
    Franco of Cologne (ca.  1250) is credited with the first systematic
 explanation of the notation’s principles, so the notation of this
 earliest period is called ‘Franconian’.  Franco’s system made use of
 three note values – long, breve, and semibreve – each of which was
 normally equivalent to three of the next lower note value.
 
    Then, in the first half of the 14th century, Philippe de Vitry and
 Jehan de Murs added several note values (the minim, semiminim and fusa)
 and extended Franco’s principles to govern the relationship between
 these values.  They also put the duple division of note values on an
 equal footing with the earlier (preferred) triple division.
 
    TODO: continue description of French and Italian black notation, and
 the relationship betwixt them.
 
    White or void mensural notation
 
    In the 15th century, hollow (or void) notes began to substitute for
 the earlier solid black ones, which were then free to assume the
 function of red (or colored) notes in the earlier notation.  ...
 
    TODO: add to definition (including summary info on proportional
 notation)
 
 
 See also
 ........
 
DONTPRINTYET     augmentation, diminution, ligature, *noteDONTPRINTYET     augmentation, diminution, ligature, 
 proportion.
 

Info Catalog music-glossary: melodic cadence music-glossary: Musical terms A-Z music-glossary: mensuration sign