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     I've been looking at the marches written by Russell Axexamder and am confused by one of the notation quirks that he has used several times. For example in the Intro to Olympia Hippodrome the Cornets, Clarinets and Flutes are given four notes in a 2/2 measure that look like two pairs of eighth-notes connected by bars, but the note heads are open like half-notes. I would guess this mean that each of these "notes" is equivalent to two eighth-notes? That would add up to 8 eighth-notes to complete the measure.

I believe it means that those notes alternate for one beat (half note) for a total of 4 eighth notes each. The publisher Barnhouse shows a more modern arrangement of the march (sample score page) that has those notes written out. It shows those parts have two identical groups of alternating eighth notes that are slurred.

Thanks. That sample clears up the confusion!

I suggest your musicians learn to read the notation. You'll find that device all through Harry L. Alford's marches, and in old transcriptions (overtures, "selection from"). Whatever happened "bandstand savvy"?

Uncle Markie wrote:I suggest your musicians learn to read the notation. You'll find that device all through Harry L. Alford's marches, and in old transcriptions (overtures, "selection from"). Whatever happened "bandstand savvy"?

"Bandstand savvy" comes from playing and, when seeing something unfamiliar, asking a question and then remembering the answer for next time.

I know some old stuff that kids don't know.

Kids know some new stuff that I don't know.

By the way, there's some old stuff I don't know either.

Hup