Cue note

An example of cue notes. This example from the 2nd horn part Overture to Der Freischütz contains cue notes showing the 4th and 3rd horn parts, in order to aid proper entrance.  Play 
Cue in orchestral music

In musical notation, a cue note is or cue notes are indications informing players, "of important passages being played by other instruments, [such as an] entrance after a long period of rest."[1] A cue may also function as a guideline for another instrument for musical improvisation or if there are many bars rest to help the performer find where to come in.

"Cue notes may be given as guidance only, to assist a performer's entrance after numerous measures of rest....[Their size, and all elements associated with them] is somewhat smaller than normal note size, but still large enough to be legible (65-75% of normal note size)."[2]

The cued instrument is indicated with text and the cue notes are smaller than the rest. The stems of cue notes all go in the same direction and cue notes are transposed into the key of the part entering.[1]

Other definitions

There are also passages in certain scores where there is an indication above a line of notes saying "cue notes" or simply "cue", but this indication does not have anything to do with the "cue notes" explained above. Opposed to these, these "cue notes" are more like alternative notes, which can either be played or not played, depending on the conductor's decision. This practice is particularly common in recordings of orchestral film music, where they often like to try out several orchestral colors and weightings in just one recording session and therefore use cued passages to try out other options.

See also

Sources

  1. 1 2 McGrain, Mark (1990). Music Notation, p.183. Hal Leonard. ISBN 9781476867052.
  2. ↑ Gerou, Tom & Lusk, Linda (1996). Essential Dictionary of Music Notation, p.119. Alfred Music Publishing. ISBN 9781457410710.
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