What does this mean?

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:10 am

I have a french piece of music that has the plus sign (+) above several notes on all of the pieces. I have never seen this before and can't find it in any of my reference books. Does anyone know what this means??

Thanks.

etgohomeok · Post by **etgohomeok** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:14 pm

+ = major/sharp/augmented
- = minor/flat/diminished

...is my guess.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:58 pm

It is probably meant to be a short trill started on the upper note. Usually, this is referenced at the bottom of the first page of the music or in the front of the book.

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:43 pm

Thanks!! I will check to see if there is a reference anywhere on the music.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:55 pm

If you don't find anything in your music, it might help us help you if you give us the title, composer and publisher/edition that you are working from.....

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:31 am

Good idea -- should've done that from the start. It is Zes Pastorales by JB de Boismortier. I thought it was in French since it is by Boismortier, but looking at it now, I think it is in Dutch, guessing because it looks like it was printed in Muziekuitgeverij Ixyzet, AMsterdam. Making an assumption that it was published by Gerrit Vellekoop (since I can't read the language) in Juli 1959. I think the guess about trills is probably correct, since there are none of the normal trill notations anywhere in the music, but there are turns and grace notes everywhere.

Thanks a lot for all of the help!

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:06 am

If the piece you are playing is composed by Boismortier, then those are indications for mordents or trills. Using the + sign to indicate an ornament, usually a trill of some sort, was very common in French baroque music. Many publishers, particularly those putting out urtext editions, will not transliterate the "+" into a "tr" or grace notes; they will keep it as it was in the manuscript they worked from.

SK

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:14 pm

Thanks to everybody for the info. I'm playing it like they are trills, and it does fit. The piece is for two flutes and is very pretty.

Christina's_Mom · Post by **Christina's_Mom** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:52 am

Yea, I was taught that those are short trills.