The Cognitive Dimensions of Music Notations

This paper presents and adapts the Cognitive Dimensions of Notations framework (Green and Petre, 1996) for use in designing and analysing notations (and user interfaces) in both digital and traditional music practice and study. Originally developed to research the psychology of programming languages, the framework has since found wider use in both general HCI and music. The paper provides an overview of the framework, its application, and a detailed account of the core cognitive dimensions, each discussed in the context of three music scenarios: the score, Max/MSP, and sequencer/DAW software. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies for applying the framework are presented in closing, highlighting directions for further development of the framework