notent

Notent is a term used in theoretical discussions of notation to describe a proposed symbolic unit intended to encode multiple musical or data parameters within a single symbol. It is not a widely adopted standard and remains mainly within speculative, experimental, or thought‑experiment contexts.

The etymology of notent appears to be a portmanteau of note and entropy or entity, chosen to emphasize ideas of information density and compact representation. The exact interpretation of notent varies among sources, with different writers proposing distinct ways a notent might carry pitch, duration, dynamics, timbre, or even metadata for algorithmic processes.

In music theory and composition, notent is often described as a hypothetical symbol capable of encoding several attributes at once, potentially including microtonal pitch, rhythmic value, loudness, and timbral characteristics. Proponents use the concept to explore the limits of notation systems and to imagine more compact or expressive schemes for complex or generative music. Critics point out that there is no concrete, universally accepted encoding for notent, and that practical implementation faces significant design challenges.

In computing and information theory discussions, notent appears as a heuristic or comparative idea, illustrating how symbolic encoding might achieve higher information density than conventional notation such as MIDI, MusicXML, or other schema. The notion functions mainly as a conceptual tool rather than a deployed standard.

See also: Music notation, Algorithmic composition, Information theory, Data compression, MIDI, MusicXML.