What is the main purpose of music notation?

The main purpose of music notation is to visually represent music in a form that allows for accurate communication and performance. Notation serves as a universal language for musicians, enabling them to read, understand, and reproduce pieces of music written by composers who may live in different times or places. This visual representation includes symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and other musical elements, ensuring that the intended sound can be faithfully replicated by performers.

While providing a historical record of musical compositions contributes to our understanding of music over time, it is secondary to the primary function of notation as a tool for conveying precise musical instructions. Similarly, although music notation can support the learning of music theory or assist improvisation, its core purpose remains focused on enabling coherent communication and the sharing of musical ideas among musicians. Thus, option A most accurately captures the essence of music notation's role in the music-making process.