It would be fine, in the Lead sheet Window, to show when an instrument is muted by highlighting the concerned bars by adding a special color in the background.
This color would be user defined in the Display Options window.
An example of application : for example, you want to play the piano part, but the piano is muted from bar 5 to bar 12, and then from bar 45 to bar 52. So when looking at the piano score, you wouldn't need to remember you must not play from bar 5 to 12, an then from bar 45 to bar52.
Other users could find other applications of this feature.
It should be a user option.
It would be a nice feature, useful and easy to implement.
Wouldn't it be better if the chords were changed to rests in the leadsheet for the muted instrument? Why would you want information that is not played to be printed?
Jim, as far I understand you, you propose to change the chords in rests in the leadsheet AND to remove 'the information not played' : I understand you want to remove the not played notes from the score.
Is that you mean ?
Jim, as far I understand you, you propose to change the chords in rests in the leadsheet AND to remove 'the information not played' : I understand you want to remove the not played notes from the score.
Is that you mean ?
If the notes are not played, why display them? Does a leadsheet display chords? I don't read music so I don't use leadsheets. I typically print chord sheets with guitar tab.
I understand your point of view because you don't read the music notes.
But, it is important to keep displaying the notes because they can be used for some user aplication.
For example, in educational training, the notes are muted during some bars, the notes are displayed and the music student has to play the notes.
I understand your example and, from your example, I can understand why someone would want the notes displayed.
My assumption was a lead sheet displays notes for one instrument. For example if the instruments are two guitars then two lead sheets are needed. The lead sheet for guitar 1 shows the notes played by guitar 1 and displays rests when guitar 2 is played. The lead sheet for guitar 2 shows rests when guitar 1 is played and notes when guitar 2 is played. Both lead sheets show notes when the two instruments are played at the same time and rests when both instruments are silent. Counting bars is part of the educational experience.
I assumed what I've heard called "sheet music", a master sheet, director sheet or conductor sheet were the only sheets that contain the complete composition. I was not aware lead sheets can include more than one instrument.
Thank you for adding to my understanding.
Jim, just for terms, I normally call ‘the complete composition’ a score.
Jazz and some pop leadsheets normally do show chords.
Leadsheets can show more than one part. They often show two parts on a single staff, plus percussion cues above it. On some of my leadsheets, I use two staves and put the counterpoint, bass line and/or rhythm section parts on the second staff, when doing so on one stave would be cluttered. It’s even possible to have a leadsheet be mostly a single staff but add a second for specific sections. In other words, you write it in whatever way gets the job done. For another example, in a big band chart I will often create a reduction on one or two staves that has the important entrances of each section so I can conduct. It’s easier than reading the full score.
One good thing about notation: it’s hard to be wrong. The standards are very old. The newer notation uses fonts and chord symbols that are not standardized. This is why BIAB gives you many options. I just take a moment and explain what I’m doing and everyone is fine with it. Someone else’s chart may look quite different and that’s fine, too.
I appreciate the opportunity to have the discussion. Great learning experience for me. I have a much better idea of how lead sheets can be used.
When I'm discussing a subject that I know little about it can be difficult to formulate comments in a manner that doesn't read as either challenging to another poster's point of view or condescending. I appreciate learning experiences like this thread so I'm really glad the thread did not degenerate. Thanks to everyone that posted.