Behind Bars: the Definitive Guide to Music Notation (Faber Edition)

Comprehensive guide for professional and amateur engravers.

I chanced on Behind Bars in a local bookshop but was put off by the price. Yet the desire to acquire it lingered. An excellent price from Amazon made the purchase possible. The aim of the book is to standardise music notation.Truly a composer's bible. Like all good reference books, it is clearly set out out with cross references included in the text rather than the need to use the index. As a string player, I've so far dipped into the section on writing for strings. I particularly like the direct and clear language; the writer shows an awareness of music seen from the performer's point of view. Examples of graphic contemporary notation are included. This a good thing but I wonder if 'domestic' (as opposed to Publisher) users have music programmes sophisticated enough to include these. Cons? Are there any? Perhaps delving in when time can be better spent doing something else!

a must have for everyone involved in music writing and teaching

I wish I had purchased this months ago as I transcribe music composed on manuscript paper into printed format using a well known software. This is the type of reference book that provides all the answers and methods of producing great scores in a standardised way. A lot of illustrations that are useful showing the recommended ways of creating the scores.

If you're a composer, arranger, editor or publisher, this is the most useful resource for ensuring the best possible layouts for music that you work with. From basic principles of how to shape notes and markings, through to complex ideas of laying out scores, extended techniques or avant-garde scores, this book will see you through it.

If you ever lay out music for public consumption, this book should be at your right hand. Its exhaustive coverage of issues of musical notation is unmatched anywhere else. Its style is clear and informative. The illustrations (often as helpful "like this" and "not like this") clarify the points made perfectly. Absolutely indispensable.

This is really a complete reference to music notation. I would recommend it to anyone interested in correct, up-to-date musical notation.Sometimes it get hard to follow because it contains many cross-references, but on the overall is quite readable (considering the issue). Anyway, a book to have next to you whenever editing scores.

Authoritative and clearly written. Works well on the kindle app on my iPad - and can be read on the Kindle itself although this does require a bit of effort to change teach size for some examples.

Información muy valiosa para todo músico...

I bought this to ensure my scores were industry standard. The seller was both quick and responsive. Totally satisfied all around

A must have for any serious musician concentrated not only on music, but also on music layout.

Muito bom o livro! Para quem quer entrar no mundo da edição de partituras esse livro é importante!O único problema é não ter zoom para o aplicativo kindle no pc!

This is a great book for anyone wishing to get better at music notation, whether you're a composer, typesetter, or arranger. It goes in depth on many topics like percussion, leger lines, clef changes, spacing, and more. Highly recommended.