Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Reflection by Andrew Eales
Among the positive differences this website has sought to encourage, the growing adoption of cream paper by music publishers is to be celebrated.
Regular readers are sure to have noticed that I typically include information about paper quality and colour when reviewing music books; some will be glad for this tidbit of information, while others may wonder why it matters, or if indeed it matters at all.
Is the use of cream paper simply an odd, even slightly elitist, anachronism? Actually, no. So let’s consider the noteworthy advantages of using cream paper for music printing and publications…
Clarity, without eye strain
Place a music book printed on cream paper next to a score with bright white paper, and you will doubtless appreciate how the slightly warmer tone and reduced contrast of cream paper can offer enhanced readability, while bright white paper can cause an unpleasant glare, placing strain on the eyes.
Cream paper’s softer hue can provide a visually calming effect, reduce optical stress and sensory overload, and lessen the likelihood of experiencing discomfort or fatigue while reading.
This can be a particular advantage during extended practice or performance sessions, but for some, these benefits will be more striking than others. Those who experience any form of eyestrain or perceptual distortion when reading can find particular relief and improved readability through the use of cream paper.
In a similar way, digital reading devices typically allow the user to adjust the background hue to a warmer tone, in order to aid readability and support eye health.
I have a progressive eye condition called keratoconus, which occurs in around 1 in 2,000 individuals, and can lead to distorted vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with night vision. When I look at black print on a bright white background, I see a faint double image.
When notation appears on cream paper, this unpleasant effect is dramatically reduced. For my vision, I will always choose a score printed on cream paper over one printed on white, should the option be available. And my personal printer is loaded with cream paper!
Supporting neurodiverse readers
For neurodiverse musicians, the use of cream paper is again often a matter of high importance.
For those of us with ADHD, the reduced contrast of text against cream paper can help improve focus and minimise potential distractions. Again, the visually calming effect reduces the likelihood of sensory overload while reading.
Printing music on cream paper can improve the reading experience for dyslexic musicians too: dialling down contrast, enhancing text clarity and reducing visual distortions makes processing and comprehending written material easier, including sheet music.
Neurodiverse readers are increasingly advised to use a yellow overlay when reading, and even general readers without specific visual or cognitive challenges can find that this enhances their reading experience. By providing visual stability, reducing strain, and enhancing text clarity, the use of a yellow overlay can serve as a valuable tool for promoting inclusivity and accommodating a diverse range of readers.
However, such overlays are usually sold in A4 size, smaller than the standard size of sheet music publications. Nor are they practical for longer scores with page turns. Here again, the use of cream paper can offer musicians the better solution.
The cream on the cake
There’s no doubt that printing sheet music on cream paper can give it an added element of sophistication, enhancing the classic elegance of a score, and imbuing it with the more inviting aesthetic of a high-quality publication.
But ultimately, there are scientifically understood benefits and practical reasons for asserting that printing music on cream paper supports accessibility, promotes inclusion, and fosters the wellbeing of all musicians.
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