Current music notation, which has evolved over the centuries, presents challenges to both performers and composers. Its inherent design is performer-centric, focusing mainly on which notes to play, when, and how. Due to its orientation around the diatonic scale, visual distance between notes does not correspond exactly to musical intervals, leading to complexities in different clefs and rules for spelling sharps and flats.

For composers and musicologists, understanding the intervals between notes is crucial as they dictate harmony and melodic progression. A notation system that accentuates intervals would provide a more intuitive representation of music. The objective of this project is to develop a new language for music notation that emphasizes the intervals between notes, allowing for a clearer representation of harmony and melodic contours, while optionally ensuring that the transition from traditional notation to this new language is smooth for musicians.

Desirable features of such a language: Interval-Centric Design: Prioritize the representation of intervals between notes, making them more visually distinguishable. Clustered Notation: Incorporate a means to visualize intervals within more intricate clusters of notes. Innovative Visual Elements: Utilize colors, varying line styles, shapes, and other visual aids to represent different musical elements, intervals, and nuances. Flexibility: While the primary focus is on intervals, the design should accommodate those who wish to revert to a note-centric view. Transitional Elements: Optional tools or visual cues to make it easier for musicians trained in traditional notation to adapt to the new language.

Main phases of the project: Conduct a review of the problems musicians face with the current notation system. Create initial designs based on the research. Utilize innovative visual elements like color coding, different line styles, etc., to represent intervals and harmonies. Develop prototypes for testing and feedback. Allow a group of musicians, composers, and musicologists to use the new notation system. Gather feedback on its usability, clarity, and effectiveness in conveying intervals and harmonies. Make necessary adjustments based on feedback. Refine the design to enhance clarity, usability, and effectiveness.

Prerequisites: good capacity for abstract thought, experience in music, excellent programming skills, ability for independent thinking, and a degree of ingenuity.