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The circular score is similar to the mathematical cochlea in that
it shows the frequency components of sound. But this time,
we shows the time profile of frequencies in the graph instead
of the instantaneous frequency strengths. The frequency axis
is not as accurate whereas the time axis is very accurately
shown in the angular components of the polar coordinate. Typically,
one circle is one bar in the musical work.
The graph left hand side shows the circular score for a short melody.
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Checking melody
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The circular score is marked in divisions of degrees for general
purpose use or suitably divided for specific melodies.
For clearer display, we can have divisions that suits our melody.
For example, we can use divisions of 90 degrees. When pacing
is correct, all arcs representing the notes should begin and
end at division marks. Of course, this is not to kill creativity
and spontaneity. On the contrary, this graph help us see how
good musical performance is created out of subtle adjustments
to the perfect timing.
One very popular technique creates pulses of sound by tapping
rapidly on the holes of a woodwind instrument either throughout
a note or near its beginning or its end point. It takes quite
some time to learn because it is too fast to be heard clearly.
With the circular score, this effect appears as a dotted arc
and the extend of which can be read easily on the graph.
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Multi-part performance
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In multi-part performance, the circular score can let each
party see whether they are faster or slower than others and
to make adjustments accordingly. If it is possible to arrange
different sound pickup devices for different people, their
scores can be shown in different color to make detection of
mismatch easier.
If the score of one party is shown in red and another in green,
then they will sweep out arcs of red and green on the circular
score. If the red arc arrives earlier without accompanied
by the green, then it becomes a red bleeding edge before an
orange - yellow arc resulting from the mixing of the two arcs.
When the arcs overlap, the relative strengths of sound will
determine whether the resulting arc will be more reddish or
greenish.
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Technology
