This suggests that the brain may treat musical notation as a form of language.

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Aside from basic arithmetic, nonverbal symbols were restricted to musical notation (for an elite) and playing cards.

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He managed hieroglyphs, musical notation and the first cursive font, for Mamie Eisenhower, who had tired of writing out White House invitations.

ECONOMIST: Martin Tytell

It can be done by ear, but musical notation helps by turning sound into a visual medium, a common language for the consistent creation and sharing of the music.

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As the case unfolded, Mrs Bercow's QC, William McCormick, had argued that the phrase "innocent face" was merely an indication that the tweet should be read in a deadpan manner, comparable to stage directions or notation on a musical score.

BBC: High Court: Sally Bercow's Lord McAlpine tweet was libel

The words and punctuation of "innocent face", he said, were merely an indication that the question should be read with a deadpan emphasis or tone, comparable with stage directions such as sotto voce or a notation on a musical score.

BBC: Sally Bercow tweet 'pointed to Lord McAlpine'