COMPUTERIZED MUSIC NOTATION SYSTEM

A computerized music notation system comprises a first keyboard having pitch keys, a second keyboard for entering relative rhythm codes representing the relative proportions by which the entered pitches and other rhythm types divide a beat and a terminator code to mark the end of each beat, and a computer executing a processing program for generating output music notation in beat units based upon the pitch data and the rhythm data. The pitch and rhythm data sets are independent of each other. The computer processes the pitch data assigning pitch names in the selected key of music, and the rhythm data in beat units by assigning computed fixed duration values to the rhythm types in accordance with the selected time signature. The pitch and rhythm data are combined and processed for output with other notation features, such as staff lines, stems, flags, beams, articulation marks, etc. Since the rhythm codes represent the relative spacings of the rhythm elements in beat units, they facilitate translation of the notation into a different time signature. The system is connectable to a display, permanent storage, a printer, an optical scanner, a synthesizer and/or other input coding or music output devices.