N-arrow Notation User Guide
1. Purpose
N-arrow Notation is a compact melodic notation system designed for quick sketching, motif analysis, algorithmic composition, DAW-style thinking and any workflow where clarity is preferred over traditional staves. It separates pitch / duration from melodic contour, making musical behaviour instantly visible.
2. System Overview
Each note is written in two rows:
Upper row: arrows showing contour
Lower row: pitch + duration ( text-based piano roll )
Example:
| C3/4 | A2/8d | A2/8 | E3/2 |
3. Arrow Symbols ( Contour Layer )
| Arrow | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Step up | Small upward movement | |
| Step down | Small downward movement | |
| Repeat | Same pitch as previous note | |
| Leap up | Larger upward interval | |
| Leap down | Larger downward interval |
Notes:
"Step" vs "Leap" is intentionally flexible
Arrows create a visual shape
4. Pitch + Duration Layer
Pitch uses note names with octave numbers ( C3, A2, F#4 etc )
Duration uses simple fractional notation:
| Duration | Meaning |
|---|---|
| /1 | Whole |
| /2 | Half |
| /2d | Half dotted |
| /2dd | Half double dotted |
| /2t | Half triplet |
| /4 | Quarter |
| /4d | Quarter dotted |
| /4dd | Quarter double dotted |
| /4t | Quarter triplet |
| /8 | Eighth |
| /8d | Eighth dotted |
| /8dd | Eighth double dotted |
| /8t | Eighth triplet |
| /16 | Sixteenth |
| /16d | Sixteenth dotted |
| /16dd | Sixteenth double dotted |
| /16t | Sixteenth triplet |
| /32 | Thirty-second |
| /64 | Sixty-fourth |
| /? | Your own duration |
5. How the Two Rows Work Together
The lower row tells you what the notes are. The upper row tells you how the notes behave.
Example:
| C3/4 | D3/8 | F3/2 | F3/4d | E3/4 |
Rising motion, a leap, a plateau, a fall
6. Why N-arrow Works
Fast - no staves, beams or clutter
Clear - contour is instantly visible
Modular - pitch, duration and shape are separate
Easy to read - no ambiguous symbols
DAW friendly - mirrors piano-roll logic
Algorithm ready - ideal for motif analysis of code driven composition
7. Full Example Phrase
| G2/8 | B2/8 | B2/4 | C3/2 | C2/1 |
Leap up, step down, repeat, step up, leap down
8. Optional Extensions
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Staccato | |
| ~ | Tie |
| ! | Accent |
| ( ) | Motif Grouping |
| R | Rest |
Example:
| ( | E2/8 | E2/8~ | C2/4! | R/2 | ) |
9. Who N-arrow Is For
Composers, Coders, DAW users and Game-audio designers
10. Add Your Own Symbols
The symbols above form the core of the N-arrow Notation system. When you're working on your own music feel free to create additional shorthand or markings that help your workflow. These personal extensions don't change the N-arrow Notation system - they simply help you express ideas in your own way.