Re: Beam positions and time signature spacing

[Janek Warchoł]

Hi,

2013/11/8 Gilberto Agostinho <address@hidden>:
> Hi Peter!
>
> Thanks a lot for the scan. I would say that even though she doesn't condemns
> her example a), she still considers b) as bad and c) as the best compromise.
> My corrections above are all similar to her example c)
>
> What about her recommendation of Ted Ross' The Art of Music Engraving and
> Processing, does anyone have this book? What does it say about the beams?

He doesn't say much about double beams, but he gives an example which
is contrary to what you suggest.

> This issue came to me while showing one of my compositions to a friend of
> mine who used to work at Bärenreiter.

What font-size did you use in that engraving?

> His opinions are exactly what I
> reproduced on my question above. Also, looking at my G Henle Verlag
> editions, I noticed that beams such as of type a) indeed do appear from time
> to time, but they are somehow rare. The majority of beams are: straight,
> slightly angled but covering the staff lines or positioned above/below the
> staff lines (where any angle can take place).

Many modern engravings use such almost-flat beams, but most old
engravings don't.  Personally i don't like these flat beams at all; in
my opinion they lack character and they distort the contour of the
melody.  If anything, the problem that you describe should imo be
resolved by whiting-out the staflines under the beam.

best,
Janek

beam-ross.png
Description: PNG image

same beam in lily.png
Description: PNG image