Elapsed Time via Stop-Watch

Another approach to the development of polytemporal performance and composition strategy involves the use of a stop watch resting on the music stands of each performer. Rather than using a mechanical stop watch, today's technology can provide a graphic read-out of elapsed time via a software program loaded into a mobile phone or tablet. In this stop-watch approach, as refined by composers such as Marc Yeats, the elapsed time is indicated on each performer's score and printed at the top key measures and sections in the score. The performer uses the stop watch sitting on their music stand to guide them through the performance of their part. The elapsed time is extracted from engraving software such as Sibelius during the composition phase.