Notating Deconstruction: What Can Ethnomusicological Transcription Learn from the Notational Practices of Contemporary Composers?

Abstract Drawing on Jacques Derrida’s (1981) approach to deconstructing Platonic dichotomies, this article argues that any notational system is inherently structuring and should be subjected deconstructive efforts. Further, my contention deconstruction can realized in how notation itself used, what I refer as ‘deconstructive notation’. This looks at has been used by composers deconstruct the categories of Western staff notation, opening up ways which music studied an invitation all those engaged notating make room their work for play.