Re: Measure-free scores

It was my interpretation that such scores would use the "single big
measure" approach, so I agree with your suggestion. I also agree that
'hidden' should only apply to visual semantics.

I base my interpretation on how Dorico handles unmetered music: it puts
unmetered music into one big measure.

On Sat, Apr 1, 2017 at 10:44 AM, cecilio <s.cecilio@gmail.com> wrote:

> In the scope of the profile <score content="cwmn" profile="standard">
> there are measure-free scores. The typical examples are many pieces from
> Erik Satie.
>
> It has been suggested that for regularity of the schema, measure-free
> scores or passages be treated as consisting of either a single big measure
> or of smaller measures with hidden barlines and time signatures.
>
> Two ideas on this:
>
> 1. In my opinion the MNX standard must choose between using a single big
> measure or using smaller measures with hidden barlines and time signature.
> One of the MNX objectives is to enforce programs to create semantically
> correct MNX files. Leaving the decision on how to encode measure-free
> scores to each MNX writer/exporter will provide unnecessary freedom and
> this will introducing unnecessary complexity in MNX parsers and could
> create unexpected future problems.
>
> 2. Although a 'hidden' attribute attached to an element can be useful for
> a particular application, I dislike the idea of describing the semantics
> using hidden objects. The attribute 'hidden' has to do with appearance, not
> with semantics and, therefore, the objects composing the music score should
> be described in MNX without having to resort on appearance attributes.
>
> Therefore, my suggestion is to treat CWMN measure-free scores as
> consisting of a single big measure, somehow marked as 'structural' to
> distinguish these structural measures from regular ones, i.e. to treat the
> structural ones as 'hidden'  ;-)
>
> Cecilio
>
>