What do these square notes mean (in the left hand)?
What are this notes about? I had to learn this piece in 8-27-1963 in my first year at the music conservatory in Bern.
The notes look like square notation, but the music was written in 20th. century.
It’s nr. 102 of Bela Bartok’s “mikrokosmos”.
piano notation
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
|
show 7 more comments
What are this notes about? I had to learn this piece in 8-27-1963 in my first year at the music conservatory in Bern.
The notes look like square notation, but the music was written in 20th. century.
It’s nr. 102 of Bela Bartok’s “mikrokosmos”.
piano notation
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
1
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
1
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
What are this notes about? I had to learn this piece in 8-27-1963 in my first year at the music conservatory in Bern.
The notes look like square notation, but the music was written in 20th. century.
It’s nr. 102 of Bela Bartok’s “mikrokosmos”.
piano notation
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
What are this notes about? I had to learn this piece in 8-27-1963 in my first year at the music conservatory in Bern.
The notes look like square notation, but the music was written in 20th. century.
It’s nr. 102 of Bela Bartok’s “mikrokosmos”.
piano notation
piano notation
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
edited 2 days ago
Albrecht Hügli
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
asked 2 days ago
Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli
1,238119
1,238119
1
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
1
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
1
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
1
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
1
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
1
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
1
1
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
1
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
1
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
I believe the square notes (usually called diamonds) indicate keys that are silently depressed and held down. This technique allows those notes to ring sympathetically when the right hand notes are played. This specific piece is mentioned in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_extended_technique
The relevant passage:
Composers such as Béla Bartók started to look at the piano as a more percussive instrument and explored various techniques to achieve percussive effects. His Bagatelles and Mikrokosmos (the series of works for the instruction of young pianists) both contain unusual instructions to the pianist. He even used special notation for certain of them: "hold keys silently" is indicated by square note heads rather than the usual round ones.
Lastly, the "1)" above first chord probably indicates a composer's note somewhere in the score, so that will give you the definitive answer.
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
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1 Answer
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votes
I believe the square notes (usually called diamonds) indicate keys that are silently depressed and held down. This technique allows those notes to ring sympathetically when the right hand notes are played. This specific piece is mentioned in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_extended_technique
The relevant passage:
Composers such as Béla Bartók started to look at the piano as a more percussive instrument and explored various techniques to achieve percussive effects. His Bagatelles and Mikrokosmos (the series of works for the instruction of young pianists) both contain unusual instructions to the pianist. He even used special notation for certain of them: "hold keys silently" is indicated by square note heads rather than the usual round ones.
Lastly, the "1)" above first chord probably indicates a composer's note somewhere in the score, so that will give you the definitive answer.
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
I believe the square notes (usually called diamonds) indicate keys that are silently depressed and held down. This technique allows those notes to ring sympathetically when the right hand notes are played. This specific piece is mentioned in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_extended_technique
The relevant passage:
Composers such as Béla Bartók started to look at the piano as a more percussive instrument and explored various techniques to achieve percussive effects. His Bagatelles and Mikrokosmos (the series of works for the instruction of young pianists) both contain unusual instructions to the pianist. He even used special notation for certain of them: "hold keys silently" is indicated by square note heads rather than the usual round ones.
Lastly, the "1)" above first chord probably indicates a composer's note somewhere in the score, so that will give you the definitive answer.
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
I believe the square notes (usually called diamonds) indicate keys that are silently depressed and held down. This technique allows those notes to ring sympathetically when the right hand notes are played. This specific piece is mentioned in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_extended_technique
The relevant passage:
Composers such as Béla Bartók started to look at the piano as a more percussive instrument and explored various techniques to achieve percussive effects. His Bagatelles and Mikrokosmos (the series of works for the instruction of young pianists) both contain unusual instructions to the pianist. He even used special notation for certain of them: "hold keys silently" is indicated by square note heads rather than the usual round ones.
Lastly, the "1)" above first chord probably indicates a composer's note somewhere in the score, so that will give you the definitive answer.
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
I believe the square notes (usually called diamonds) indicate keys that are silently depressed and held down. This technique allows those notes to ring sympathetically when the right hand notes are played. This specific piece is mentioned in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_extended_technique
The relevant passage:
Composers such as Béla Bartók started to look at the piano as a more percussive instrument and explored various techniques to achieve percussive effects. His Bagatelles and Mikrokosmos (the series of works for the instruction of young pianists) both contain unusual instructions to the pianist. He even used special notation for certain of them: "hold keys silently" is indicated by square note heads rather than the usual round ones.
Lastly, the "1)" above first chord probably indicates a composer's note somewhere in the score, so that will give you the definitive answer.
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
answered 2 days ago
PeterPeter
1,851316
1,851316
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
1
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
Oh, Brilliant! I'd accept this if it were possible! Bravo, Peter!
– user45266
2 days ago
4
4
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
@user45266 Yes, this answer is correct. Just a note, although I see why you describe them as squares, these noteheads are generally referred to as diamonds. The same diamond noteheads are often used for harmonics on string instruments.
– Pat Muchmore
2 days ago
1
1
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
@PatMuchmore Yes, I've usually heard them referred to as diamonds as well, but both the OP and the Wikipedia article used the term "square." Truly square noteheads (basically like what's shown but rotated 45 degrees) also exist.
– Peter
2 days ago
2
2
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
So, that would be a way to excite harmonics on a piano. Very cool.
– ggcg
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
Yes, you know what happens if you press the keys slowly down without playing. “Hold the keys silently”. The strings of the piano are open. The sff in the first bar effects them to vibrate and they still resonate to the soft piano tune. That’s what Tim was wondering how pedaling could be hold so long.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
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1
At least post a pic of the sheet music.
– ggcg
2 days ago
1
How do you keep that l.h. chord sounding? Even pedalling it won't last that long. And why is it written with no key sig., when the B chord is a clue?
– Tim
2 days ago
1
@ Tim, good thought, that’s the question. The title will tell you. But concerning the key: in many pieces Bartok doesn’t set a key, however tonality is clear.
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
I neither knew that diamonds are used in string instruments as notation of dinamics: this is actually the title of mikroksmos 102. And the instruction “press down without sounding” is written at the left bottom of the page. Above the first trade of B in the beginning you can read the hint 1)
– Albrecht Hügli
2 days ago
1
@AlbrechtHügli, doesn't help. On an instrument like guitar these would be harmonics. Don't know how to play these on a piano.
– ggcg
2 days ago