Typefaces for Musical Expressions?
In most classical sheet music, directions for “volume” (called “dynamics” in music lingo) are indicated with expressions like “mezzoforte,” “sforzando,” and “pianissimo” (abbreviated “mf,” “sfz,” and “pppp,” respectively). These expressions are usually in some sort of bold italic Modern/Transitional Didot/Bodoni face. Here’s a sampling of these expressions (and numerals) in Coda’s “Maestro” font:
In my own composition work, I’d like to use a similar font for all spelled-out musical expressions. Do you have any recommendations?
16.Jan.2006 8.56am
Adobe Caslon Bold Italic is probably as close as you will get to the letters, although if an electronic version of L&C Caslon 223 Black Italic were available, it might be closer.
The numbers, however, are not italic, so you will need a different typeface for them, probably an extrabold or heavy antique serif, although no examples spring to mind.
16.Jan.2006 9.38am
A heavier weight of Bodoni would do best. The modern conventions of music printing date from the neo-classical and romantic period, which explains why this style of type is used.
16.Jan.2006 2.05pm
Are you talking about fonts for Finale? Or are you talking about fonts for textual description of music composition?
ChrisL
17.Jan.2006 6.21pm
Fonts for Finale, mostly.
Thanks for the input, folks!
—Michael.
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// love what you do or do something else. //
Michael Ebert — graphic designer, jazz saxophonist, horror movie devotee
http://homepage.mac.com/mwebert
mwebert@mac.com
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17.Jan.2006 6.24pm
Any other thoughts? Most Caslons & Bodonis on the market don’t feature a “cursive” leading serif into the l.c. “p” ...
—Michael.
———————————————————————————
// love what you do or do something else. //
Michael Ebert — graphic designer, jazz saxophonist, horror movie devotee
http://homepage.mac.com/mwebert
mwebert@mac.com
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17.Jan.2006 7.26pm
Finale comes with several fonts. Why are they not meeting your needs?
ChrisL
18.Jan.2006 6.57pm
Again, the Finale fonts only include abbreviated symbols like the ones in my initial post. I’m looking for a full alphabet so I can write my own unabbreviated expressions.
—Michael.
———————————————————————————
// love what you do or do something else. //
Michael Ebert — graphic designer, jazz saxophonist, horror movie devotee
http://homepage.mac.com/mwebert
mwebert@mac.com
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19.Jan.2006 4.19pm
For the “cursive” leading serif into the l.c. “p” …, try Modern No. 20.
[Edit.] Or Bell, though it’s of a different sort.
20.Jan.2006 5.22am
Modern No. 20’s the closest hit yet. Thanks!
Would like it a little bolder, though.
I’m continuing my research...
Thanks for all the continuing input, folks.
Ciao for now,
—Michael.
———————————————————————————
// love what you do or do something else. //
Michael Ebert — graphic designer, jazz saxophonist, horror movie devotee
http://homepage.mac.com/mwebert
mwebert@mac.com
———————
20.Jan.2006 8.28am
I’m not familiar with this face at all, but Modern No. 216 Bold is heavier than No. 20. Feels a bit ’squatter’ though.