Notation System

Why use numeric notation?

Numeric notation is an attempt to simplify music notation. Barbershop music is hard enough to sing, if we can abstract away some notation and save mental load while reading music, maybe we can spend more time singing.

Many of the decisions are made to be clear and concise, even when it breaks with some musical tradition.

How does it work?

numtags uses a numeric notation system where numbers represent scale degrees:

1 = Root (Do)
2 = Second (Re)
3 = Third (Mi)
4 = Fourth (Fa)
5 = Fifth (So)
6 = Sixth (La)
7 = Seventh (Ti)
      

This system works in any key signature, making it incredibly flexible for different vocal ranges and arrangements.

Which note is it?

To indicate whether it's the higher or lower scale degree, we add dots: one above means one octave above, two above means two octaves above; likewise, one dot below means the octave below, and so on. These are understood in relation to the key, not relative to the previous octave: 5̣ 5̇ in the key of C4 means G3 G5, not G3 G4.

Flats and sharps are added in front of the number, like so: ♯2 or ♭3. Of course, ♯2 and ♭3 are the same note. Numeric notation tries to keep it clear - if the previous note was ♯2, we keep using ♯2. Otherwise we choose the one that best explains the note in relation to the chord or the key. If there are three ♯2, we write ♯2 ♯2 ♯2 (not ♯2 2 2). This also means that the symbol ♮ (natural) is no longer needed, breaking with musical tradition.

Rhythm

A "|" stands for the start and end of a measure, and "-" and "–" are rudimentary rhythm symbols. So a tag might look like this:

This notation does not allow for much rhythmic complexity: "·" is a dotted note (add one half) and "_" is the opposite (remove one half). You can have double-halfed notes (eighths and sixteenths and so on). A "⁀" remains a tie.

Layout

As with all barbershop music, the order of the voices (from top row to bottom row) is tenor, lead, baritone, bass.

The lyrics go below the notes.

Example

Tenor:     3 - 3 - | 4⁀4 3 - |

Lead:      1 - 1 - | 1⁀7̣ 1 - |

Baritone:  5̣ -♭7̣ - | 6̣⁀5̣ 5̣ - |

Bass:      1̣ - 5̣ - | 4̣⁀2̣ 1̣ - |

           "My town, my town."
        

Tenor:     E - E - | F⁀F E - |

Lead:      C - C - | C⁀B C - |

Baritone:  G -♭B - | A⁀G G - |

Bass:      C - G - | F⁀D C - |

           "My town, my town."
          

Tenor:     A - A - | ♭B⁀♭B A - |

Lead:      F - F - |  F⁀ E F - |

Baritone:  C -♭E - |  D⁀ C C - |

Bass:      F - C - | ♭B⁀ G F - |

           "My town, my town."
          

Glossary