What the study found
The article argues that indexical notation, based on C.S. Peirce’s concept of indexical signs, may offer new ways to notate the morphology of sound. The case study of an interactive score called Undersong 1 suggests that this approach may help performers engage with spectral and morphological elements of sound.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this matters because pictographic and symbolic notation struggle to capture the lived, dynamic experience of music. The study suggests that indexical signs may provide an accessible way to engage performers with experiential phenomena in sound notation.
What the researchers tested
The article explores new approaches to notating sound morphology using a framework drawn from C.S. Peirce and from theories outlined by Floris Schuiling. It presents a case study of an interactive score, Undersong 1, for solo performer, which replaces symbolic or pictographic notation with indexical causal relationships between performer and visual responses.
What worked and what didn't
The case study suggests that indexical signs may be useful for attending to the material, temporal, and spectral flux of sound. The abstract says this approach eschews symbolic or pictographic notation, but it does not provide detailed comparative results or describe any specific failures.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not describe limitations, and it does not report quantitative measures or a controlled comparison. The findings are based on a single case study of one interactive score, so the scope appears limited to that example.
Key points
- The article argues that indexical notation may be a new way to notate sound morphology.
- Undersong 1 is presented as a case study of an interactive score for solo performer.
- The score uses indexical causal relationships between performer actions and visual responses.
- The abstract says this approach may help engage performers with spectral and morphological elements of sound.
- No detailed limitations, quantitative measures, or controlled comparison are described in the abstract.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Indexical notation may help represent sound morphology
- Authors:
- Rob Casey
- Institutions:
- University of Ulster, Derry City Council
- Publication date:
- 2025-12-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.