2.8. Simplicity is Key

It is true that the diagrams do not go in-depth into every piece, but, rather than be a shortcoming, I believe this simplicity to be one of their strengths. Firstly, as the diagrams should reflect how the composer intends their work to be understood, it would be foolish to attempt to include significant detail because of the issues bound to subjectivity. Secondly, a diagram can never be a true reflection of a piece of music. This is not just true of S.O.A.P. but of any and all diagrams as it will never achieve the same experience as listening to the piece for yourself. Any diagrammatic system will have limited potential from the start, which is why I encourage those wishing to adopt the S.O.A.P. framework to support their diagrams with text. This text will be able to fill in any information that the diagrams are ineffective at articulating. Thirdly, simple diagrams are more accessible, meaning that the S.O.A.P. analysis framework – one that is inherently designed to support multiple media – can be utilised by a wider community of people and not just those with specialised knowledge of electroacoustic music.  Finally, simple diagrams are easy to digest and the S.O.A.P. diagrams only provide high level information. Therefore, small differences such as changing one letter, will have a large impact on the piece. Simple diagrams allow the implication of these changes to be easily understood.