Musical notations of the Orient: Notational systems of Continental, East, South and Central Asia

This book provides a description and preservation of Oriental notational systems, the study of which makes possible a deeper understanding of Eastern art music and demonstrates its character to the student more meaningfully than does the mere presentation of recordings and musical examples written in Western staff notation. The numerous problems arising from styles and techniques which are based upon improvisation and extramusical concepts are also considered. The purposes of this study will have been fulfilled if it serves as a stimulus toward further research in this fascinating, but, alas, quickly vanishing field. The presentation of Eastern notations may also provide some aesthetic pleasure from the study of unusual and often complex systems and symbols. Although I envisage two volumes, this one may be considered as a complete work in itself, as it deals mainly with musical notations used in continental East, South, and Central Asia. A second volume will describe the indigenous notations of Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Indonesia, and the Islamic world.