The names of major style periods are capitalized (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic). Most “-isms,” modernism included, are not capitalized. The term “medieval” is not capitalized. When referring to the tradition of Western art-music as a whole (rather than the eighteenth-century style period), the term “classical” is not capitalized. Likewise, the terms “jazz” and “popular music” are not capitalized.
Put dynamic indications like _pianissimo _and forte in italics.
Do not use italics for standard tempo designations like andante, moderato, allegro, and presto. The same goes for common Italian terms like legato, staccato, arpeggio, and crescendo. Do use italics for less common directions like _col legno _and sotto voce, and for French and German vocabulary.
Capitalize letters that specify pitches and keys. Do not use the number sign in place of a sharp sign or the letter b in place of a flat sign. Write these out.
Although the song is in G major, the singer begins on an E flat.
As shown below in the section on hyphens, write sharp and flat keys like this:
C-sharp minor
E-flat major
When necessary use subscripts to specify the octave of a pitch. See Holoman for a comprehensive presentation of pitch-naming conventions.
Modern orchestras tune to an A4. C4 is commonly known as middle C.
The words “major” and “minor” are not capitalized unless they form part of a title. Do not use case to differentiate between major and minor.
INCORRECT: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is in c minor.
CORRECT: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is in C minor.
Whenever possible, use phrases like “common time,” “triple meter,” and “duple meter” to avoid writing time signatures as fractions.
Given the challenges of typing roman-numeral chords with figures, write out chord names.
The accompaniment vacillates between a first-inversion tonic triad and a third-inversion dominant-seventh chord.
Write out the word “measure” and numbers under 100 unless they are in parentheses.
The oboe solo begins in measure twenty-six.
The theme repeatedly leaps upward (mm. 2, 4, 6) before descending by step (m. 8).