Notation in Collection III

In Collection III, HTML format is used for notation. Microsoft Internet Explorer should be used for viewing, as the scores were created with Microsoft Excel. A score typically consists of three elements: the parameters, the graph, and the sequence values. Each one is given its own HTML page. Links to the other parts of the score appear at the top of the page.

PARAMETERS

The parameters page is the heart of the score, it gives the most important information about the composition. Some scores consist only of a parameters page. The sequence is described at the top; this description is not meant to be thorough and is merely meant to give the listener an idea what they are listening to. For more information on the construction of the sequences visit Sloane’s On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences at http://research.att.com/~njas/sequences/. “Length” refers to the duration of the entire work. “Note value” refers to the duration of a single note (or the duration of one number in the sequence used) if this remains constant during the work. “Orientation” refers to the pitch orientation of the work; ascending means that a lower number also means a lower pitch. The temperament is given using the symbol φ, this value is equal to (-1 + √5)/2; the number given as the temperament in a score represents the base distance between two pitches in the work.

The four classic waveforms are used in this music with the following notation:

Many compositions in Collection III make extended use of these wave forms by adding them together to create new waves. For example:

The term “simulated spatial location” or “s.s.l.” is used to refer to stereo effect. Since the speakers are to be placed at 30°, the location is given on a scale from -30° to 30°:

The highest and lowest pitches heard in the composition are given next, followed by the dynamic level. A traditional scale from ppppp to fffff (12 different levels) is used for convenience. The scale is perceptually linear; ppppp is used to represent loudness levels approaching 0 dBA, whereas fffff represents about 100 dBA. Although no electronic work in Collection III uses fffff, this level is possible in the instrumental works B254 and B255. In some pieces, attack and release “roll-off” is used. This refers to changes in the attack and release values. The actual values for each integer that appears in the sequence can always be found in the section at the bottom. This section gives all the values used in the production and shows which compositional parameters the sequences determines; in some pieces, for example, the wave might stay the same for the entire composition whereas in others the sequence controls the shape of the wave. Any parameter determined by the sequence appears in the values used section:

At the bottom of every HTML page there are links to the previous and next compositions as well as a link to the catalogue entry (and files) for that particular work.

GRAPH

The graph gives the listener an opportunity to see what the sequence looks like, or at least a portion of it. It also shows the pitch orientation of a work; higher pitches are always higher on the vertical axis. Viewing a graph of a work has the advantage that you can see the whole at once, something that cannot be said for hearing. It can give the listener ideas of what to listen for and what to expect.

SEQUENCE VALUES

The actual values of the sequence used in each work are given in this section. The listener can make his own graphs or use this section for research (for example, by inputting the sequence into the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences).