Johnston Notation

>He says, depending on the fundamental, some of the supposedly
>"just" intervals... D to A, in particular, would vary... in some cases
>even being 40/27!
>
>Using a Pythagorean chain as a basis, since it is the foundation of
>the staff system, really makes a lot of sense, and it is totally
>transposible.... Wow.
>
>But, composers such as David Doty and Kyle Gann are writing big pieces
>in the Ben Johnston system.
>
>Is this to say that their pieces really aren't coming out as they
>think they are???
>
>That would be a little discouraging, to say the least!

It would also be absurd.

Of course I know that the "fifth" D-A in the conventional 5-limit major
scale is a 40:27. I assume Mr. Gann knows this as well as I do. The
Johnston notation, if one understands it correctly, does not misrepresent
any interval. I am not really that interested in systems of notation. I'm
used to the Johnston system; it works for my purposes. If you prefer
something else, use it. As far as I'm concerned, any system that tries to
represent extended JI on the conventional five-line staff will have
problems. It's just a matter of which set of problems you're willing to accept.

==========================================================================
David B. Doty jinetwk@dnai.com
Just Intonation Network http://www.dnai.com/~jinetwk
Editorial:(650) 694-4727 535 Stevenson Street
JI Store: (415) 864-8123 San Francisco, CA 94103
FAX: (415) 864-8726