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Conventions

This section defines the basic notation conventions used in OpenScofo, including how pitches, time values, and comments are represented in a score.

Pitch

On OpenScofo pitches are represented by MIDI or PitchName.

MIDI

When using MIDI, each note corresponds to a specific MIDI number, where middle C (C4) is 60.

  • MIDI numbers increase by one per semitone:
  • C4 → 60
  • C#4 → 61

  • D4 → 62

  • Microtonal pitches are supported using decimal values. For example:

  • 60.5 → a quarter-tone C4;
  • 61.25 → a eight-tone sharp C#4;

Pitch Name

Pitch names are organized into three components: class, accidental modifiers, and octave.

Class

We follow the standard seven note classes of Western music: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. These are the natural notes, forming the diatonic scale. Each note class can be modified by accidentals to indicate pitch alterations.

Accidental Modifiers

Symbol Effect
# Increases class by 1 (sharp)
b Decreases class by 1 (flat)
## Increases class by 2 (double sharp)
bb Decreases class by 2 (double flat)
+ Increases class by 0.5 (quarter-tone sharp)
#+ Increases class by 1.5 (sharp + quarter-tone)
- Decreases class by 0.5 (quarter-tone flat)
b- Decreases class by 1.5 (flat + quarter-tone)

Octave

The octave in a pitch name defines its position on the keyboard. OpenScofo follows the Scientific Pitch Notation (SPN) convention, where C4 represents middle C (the central C on a piano).

On OpenScofo, C4 refers to middle C (the central C on a piano).

Time Definition

On OpenScofo you represent <DURATION> using number of tempos relative to the Time Unit. Fractions like (1/2), (1/1), (1/8) are not supported.

Because that OpenScofo uses time representation relative to the value of BPM define previously. For example, if in your score you have the BPM set as = 60 this means that

  • duration value is 2;
  • duration value is 1;
  • is 0.5,
  • is 0.25
  • is 0.75

if in your score you have the BPM set as = 60 this means that

  • duration value is 4;
  • duration value is 2;
  • is 1,
  • is 0.5

Comments

You can also create comments on OpenScofo language. For one line use // and for multiple lines use /* to start and */ to finish it.

// This is a piece of Charles K. Neimog

/*
    In this piece we have a lot of different events and actios that happens 
    with the computer.
*/

BPM 80

NOTE C4 1
REST 2
NOTE D5 1