Thank you for suggesting the addition of microtonal accidentals! I
spent most of the last week thinking about what could be done within
SMuFL on this subject, and I wonder if it's perhaps best to just set
aside glyph space for the additional divisions without endorsing any
particular set (or alternatively, pick one or two of the most common
or agreed-upon systems and include further space to allow for added,
individual customizations).
Unfortunately, there has never been an established standard for
microtonal notation within the western-classical tradition, and it
seems like every composer has developed their own system or variation
on an already established system. Defining a standard layout when
there has yet to be any established convention is dangerous. Since
there are so many different systems, each with its own customized set
of glyphs (and with varying numbers of glyphs based on its division of
the semitone), I feel like it's best to include the most commonly used
microtonal glyphs (most of which are already present in SMuFL), add
support for a few more systems as Mark Adler mentioned, and add enough
space for potential future additions to the standard as well as have
room for individuals to create their own.
(For the sake of full disclosure, I'd like to add that I have my own
microtonal accidental system which works within the context of my own
music, and that colors my view of how SMuFL should treat accidentals.
I'd like to add that, while my system has its advantages towards the
music I write, it has definite disadvantages and is not ideal for use
outside of the context for which it was designed, and likely has no
place being included within the standard.)
Best,
Alex Blank
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