Another Approach...

... might be based on this http://numberednotes.com/

One could consider numbering Alpha keys from 1, starting from the C in the middle course (chromatic) with 'prime' markings for different courses 

So: 
C would be 1 , 
E would be 1' , (or 5 if played in the center course) 
g# above would be 1'' (or 5' )
while g# below would be '1 (or -4 if played in the center course) 

A numbering system like this could be overlaid on the either a chromatic staff (described in an earlier post) to better suggest fingering or it could be overlaid on a standard staff. 

Exactly the same numbering system could be used in different scales (since it is key not tone oriented) for music that does not include notes outside of the scale used. While this does not work on the chromatic scale I've been toying with, it would work on standard notation.


This would certainly be an advantage to anyone approaching a new song. One could also consider adding chord diagrams much like guitar above the staff to suggest a 'home' position for the phrase in question.