[MEI-L] Encoding Square Notation

[Andrew Hankinson, Mr]

Hi all,

We had a couple questions about how to encode some features of square note notation. See [1] (below) for an example from a chant in the Liber Usualis that shows some of the material we're working with.

Is there a way to encode the horizontal and vertical episema in MEI? They're the lines on, e.g. the second neueme in the "Sunday at Vespers" chant that I've attached below.

As far as I can tell, these are articulation marks added by the monks at Solemnes in the 19th C., so they're not strictly "traditional" square note notation. They serve to guide the rhythmic interpretation of the note. I've attached a couple PDF pages [2] from the introduction to the Liber that explain how they are to be interpreted.

The second feature that we're looking at encoding are the divisiones - the "bar lines" of a type, featured in this chant. They're used, more or less, as breathing marks. Is there currently an accepted way to encode these? I've also attached a PDF [3] from the Liber with a few pages explaining how they are used and interpreted.

Many thanks for any assistance,

Andrew Hankinson

[1] http://coltrane.music.mcgill.ca/square_notation/sunday_vespers.png
[2] http://coltrane.music.mcgill.ca/square_notation/episema_interpretation.pdf
[3] http://coltrane.music.mcgill.ca/square_notation/divisiones_interpretation.pdf