Tempo and Dynamics , Symbols and Text, Inertia vs. Change

[dougheyer]

Sorry for the formality of my comments here, but I have previously had trouble explaining these ideas to others.

I have looked at some of the discussions related to
(1) Tempo Marks and tempo-related text (accel., rit., a tempo, etc.) and
(2) Dynamics symbols (Hairpins) and dynamics-related text (cresc., dim., etc.)

Tempo and Dynamics have a few things in common:
(1) at any point in time they both exist in one of two states: static or changing, and
(2) both can be represented by (graphic) symbols and/or text, and
(3) both are subject to their location on the timeline of music, and
(4) both can be treated in a similar way while in a state of change, and
(5) both are regarded in a similar way by human performers.

If there is disagreement about the above, then I think we need to take an empirical look at how it can be otherwise.

Based on this reasoning I would conclude that
(1) tempo-related text should be an optional, visible attribute of Tempo Mark, with an appropriate combination of text and BPM attributes working together to form a more meaningful, useful, and flexible tempo element, and
(2) dynamics-related text should be an optional, visible attribute of Dynamics, with an appropriate combination of text and Hairpin attributes working together to form a more meaningful, useful, and flexible dynamics element.

In both cases X and Y offsets would be required for the text.

P.S. - Is there a good reason why "dynamics" such as "sfz" should not be considered to be Accents rather than Dynamics?

Also sorry, I haven't quite figured out how to use markup.