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I wonder if anyone can tell me what the curved notation next to the 8th notes are. If it helps, this is a score for saxophone.

Thanks.

Unknown Notation

ddk
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  • A nice check would be to listen to a recording of whatever it is - obviously if available. – Tim Jun 18 '21 at 16:32
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    Looking at the amount of discussion arising in the currently only answer, the question should deliver significantly more context: Style, period, name of the piece, composer just for the beginning. – guidot Jun 19 '21 at 21:39
  • @guidot The tags might give you a clue! 'Notation, jazz, saxophone'. – Laurence Oct 01 '21 at 20:19

1 Answers1

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It's a "scoop" or "slide". It means you bend into the note, starting a bit flat and then bending the note upward until it's in tune.

Typically, the symbol looks like ")" rather than "(".

Example of standard scoop notation

Aaron
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    Probably all it can be, although a lift is a straight line rising and a scoop is a 'bracket' opposite to the direction here. – Tim Jun 18 '21 at 16:01
  • Is this notation used for saxophone or wind instruments only? – user1079505 Jun 18 '21 at 17:41
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    @user1079505 I know it because I've seen it for trumpet, so it applies to brass, but I don't know about, say, flute, or string instruments. – Aaron Jun 18 '21 at 17:42
  • Not really how you write a scoop. But yes, possibly a 'best attempt' in a rudimentary notation program. – Laurence Jun 18 '21 at 22:34
  • @user1079505: I've seen it in guitar notation for when the bend is less than a half-step. This example I'd interpret as: one fret down from normal, pre-bend the string 1/4-step, strike it, and quickly bend it another 1/4-step to the given note. – AkselA Jun 19 '21 at 09:19