EN NOT OCH TVÅ BOKSTÄVER - Diskursanalys kring användandet av tonnamnen H, B och Bb

Abstract

Different ways of naming the two pitches between A and C exist in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The Germanic tradition uses B and H, whereas the Anglo-Saxon tradition uses Bb and B. The aim of this study was to present a survey of the various opinions regarding these pitch names. The material consisted of different opinions about this matter from Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish websites. By means of discourse analysis the material was analysed in themes, which consisted of logic, tradition and communication. The analysis showed that logic can be viewed in different ways, and that tradition is partly connected to the classical canon of music, while a specific system isn't necessary in order to communicate through pitch names. A part of the traditional theme was further investigated in terms of cultural levels. The different opinions about the pitch names H, B and Bb were then given some musicological dignity through a theory regarding notation by Nicholas Cook.