Re: improving Janek's \dynamic function (for combo dynamics)

[Kieren MacMillan]

Hi Saul,

> Personally, I think the behavior would be better if it aligned on the first 
> dynamic to appear in the markup, rather than default to left.

Perhaps better if this is a preference/parameter, with the default being 
*left-aligned* not *dynamic-aligned*.
(I would personally keep it left-aligned, and then use the edition-engraver to 
tweak the position of the rare "outliers".)

> With something like "poco f", it can be visually unclear where the f is 
> supposed to begin — at the beginning of "poco" or at the "f"? That's a bit 
> clearer of the dynamic itself is always the alignment point (though I prefer 
> to always have the dynamic first for maximum clarity).

Gould (pg. 107) addresses this. There are definitely more ambiguities and 
potential problems with dynamic-aligning such texts than there are "safe 
situations" (e.g., with preceding rests) — which is why, like you, I always 
prefer to have the dynamic first (when possible).

Cheers,
Kieren.
________________________________

Kieren MacMillan, composer
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