1 \input texinfo @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
5 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
6 version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
15 @image{pictures/hader-slaan,,,.jpeg}
17 @unnumberedsec Music engraving
20 When we know what symbols to print, we have to decide where to put
21 them so the the result looks pleasing. This art is called @emph{music
22 engraving}. The term derives from the traditional process of
23 music printing. Only a few decades ago, sheet music was made by
24 cutting and stamping the music into zinc or pewter plates in mirror
25 image. The plate would be inked, and the depressions caused by the
26 cutting and stamping would hold ink. An image was formed by pressing
27 paper to the plate. The stamping and cutting was completely done by
28 hand. Making corrections was cumbersome, so engraving had to be done
29 correctly in one go. Of course, this was a highly specialized skill
34 Music engraving is a traditional craft, and was learned in
35 practice. An accomplished master had to complete around 10 years of
40 Most of the knowledge was passed from master to apprentice during
41 practical training. Consequently, little has been explicitly laid down
42 about the rules of elegant engraving.
46 Finally, engraving is about selecting proper distance and
47 blackness for scores. @image{pictures/stone-distance,,,.png} The
48 quality of the end result must be judged visually. This is virtually
49 impossible to capture in formal rules.
54 @divClass{float-right}
56 Next: @ref{implementing-typography.html,Stamping computer
57 screens?}. Computer hackers take over the engraving business.