cuthbertLab · mscuthbert · Jan 3, 2026 · Jan 3, 2026
diff --git a/dist/dist.py b/dist/dist.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         dist.py
 # Purpose:      Distribution and uploading script

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/__init__.py b/documentation/docbuild/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 __all__ = ['documenters', 'iterators', 'writers']
 
 from . import documenters

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/documenters.py b/documentation/docbuild/documenters.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         documentation/library/documenters.py
 # Purpose:      music21 documentation helper classes for proper formatting

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/extensions.py b/documentation/docbuild/extensions.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         extensions.py
 # Purpose:      Sphinx extension for hiding and showing lines in docs

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/iterators.py b/documentation/docbuild/iterators.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         docbuild/iterators.py
 # Purpose:      music21 documentation iterators, including Jupyter notebook to ReST converter

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/make.py b/documentation/docbuild/make.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         documentation/make.py
 # Purpose:      music21 documentation script, v. 2.0

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/upload.py b/documentation/docbuild/upload.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         upload.py
 # Purpose:      music21 documentation upload utility

diff --git a/documentation/docbuild/writers.py b/documentation/docbuild/writers.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         docbuild/writers.py
 # Purpose:      music21 documentation writer to rst
@@ -361,11 +360,11 @@ def convertOneNotebook(self, jupyterNotebookFilePath):
         self.runNBConvert(jupyterNotebookFilePath)
         # uses this convoluted way of reading because 'encoding' was an invalid keyword argument
         # for the built-in 'open' in old python, and never upgraded.
-        with rstFilePath.open('r', encoding='utf8') as f:
+        with rstFilePath.open('r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
             oldLines = f.read().splitlines()
 
         lines = self.cleanConvertedNotebook(oldLines, jupyterNotebookFilePath)
-        with rstFilePath.open('w', encoding='utf8') as f:
+        with rstFilePath.open('w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
             f.write('\n'.join(lines))
 
         return True

diff --git a/documentation/nbvalNotebook.py b/documentation/nbvalNotebook.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 '''
 Run tests of notebooks using nbval -- called from testDocumentation
 

diff --git a/documentation/source/conf.py b/documentation/source/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 #
 # music21 documentation build configuration file, created by
 # sphinx-quickstart on Fri Jun 14 16:48:40 2013.

diff --git a/documentation/testDocumentation.py b/documentation/testDocumentation.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         testDocumentation.py
 # Purpose:      tests from or derived from the Documentation

diff --git a/music21/__init__.py b/music21/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 '''
 The music21 Framework is Copyright © 2006-2026 Michael Scott Asato Cuthbert.
 

diff --git a/music21/_version.py b/music21/_version.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
 '''
 This file contains Music21's version number information.
 

diff --git a/music21/abcFormat/__init__.py b/music21/abcFormat/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         abc/__init__.py
 # Purpose:      parses ABC Notation

diff --git a/music21/abcFormat/testFiles.py b/music21/abcFormat/testFiles.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         testFiles.py
 # Purpose:      ABC test files

diff --git a/music21/abcFormat/translate.py b/music21/abcFormat/translate.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         abcFormat.translate.py
 # Purpose:      Translate ABC and music21 objects

diff --git a/music21/alpha/__init__.py b/music21/alpha/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/__init__.py
 # Purpose:      music21 modules not fully ready for prime-time

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/__init__.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 __all__ = [

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/aligner.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/aligner.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/analysis/aligner.py
 # Purpose:      A general aligner that tries its best to align two streams

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/fixer.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/fixer.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/analysis/fixer.py
 # Purpose:      Fixes two streams given a list of changes between them

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/hasher.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/hasher.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/analysis/hasher.py
 # Purpose:      Hash musical notation

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/ornamentRecognizer.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/ornamentRecognizer.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/analysis/ornamentRecognizer.py
 # Purpose:      Identifies expanded ornaments

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/search.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/search.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         search.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for searching analysis

diff --git a/music21/alpha/analysis/testFiles.py b/music21/alpha/analysis/testFiles.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         alpha/analysis/testFiles.py
 # Purpose:      consolidated testFiles

diff --git a/music21/analysis/__init__.py b/music21/analysis/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 __all__ = [

diff --git a/music21/analysis/correlate.py b/music21/analysis/correlate.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         correlate.py
 # Purpose:      Stream analyzer designed to correlate and graph two properties

diff --git a/music21/analysis/discrete.py b/music21/analysis/discrete.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         discrete.py
 # Purpose:      Framework for modular, windowed analysis

diff --git a/music21/analysis/elements.py b/music21/analysis/elements.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         analysis/elements.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for analyzing general elements

diff --git a/music21/analysis/enharmonics.py b/music21/analysis/enharmonics.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         enharmonics.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for returning best enharmonics

diff --git a/music21/analysis/floatingKey.py b/music21/analysis/floatingKey.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         analysis/floatingKey.py
 # Purpose:      Framework for floating key analysis

diff --git a/music21/analysis/harmonicFunction.py b/music21/analysis/harmonicFunction.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         harmonicFunction.py
 # Purpose:      Mapping between Roman numeral figures and harmonic function labels

diff --git a/music21/analysis/metrical.py b/music21/analysis/metrical.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         metrical.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for metrical analysis

diff --git a/music21/analysis/neoRiemannian.py b/music21/analysis/neoRiemannian.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         analysis/neoRiemannian.py
 # Purpose:      Neo-Riemannian Chord Transformations

diff --git a/music21/analysis/patel.py b/music21/analysis/patel.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         patel.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for testing Aniruddh D. Patel's analysis theories

diff --git a/music21/analysis/pitchAnalysis.py b/music21/analysis/pitchAnalysis.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         analysis/pitchAnalysis.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for analyzing pitches

diff --git a/music21/analysis/reduceChords.py b/music21/analysis/reduceChords.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         reduceChords.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for eliminating passing chords, etc.

diff --git a/music21/analysis/reduceChordsOld.py b/music21/analysis/reduceChordsOld.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         reduceChords.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for eliminating passing chords, etc.

diff --git a/music21/analysis/reduction.py b/music21/analysis/reduction.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         reduction.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for creating a score reduction.

diff --git a/music21/analysis/segmentByRests.py b/music21/analysis/segmentByRests.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         segmentByRests.py
 # Purpose:      Break up a part into its contiguous melodies.

diff --git a/music21/analysis/transposition.py b/music21/analysis/transposition.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         transposition.py
 # Purpose:      Tools for checking distinct transposition

diff --git a/music21/analysis/windowed.py b/music21/analysis/windowed.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         windowed.py
 # Purpose:      Framework for modular, windowed analysis

diff --git a/music21/articulations.py b/music21/articulations.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         articulations.py
 # Purpose:      music21 classes for representing articulations

diff --git a/music21/audioSearch/__init__.py b/music21/audioSearch/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         audioSearch.py
 # Purpose:      base subroutines for all audioSearching and score following

diff --git a/music21/audioSearch/recording.py b/music21/audioSearch/recording.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         audioSearch.recording.py
 # Purpose:      routines for making recordings from microphone input

diff --git a/music21/audioSearch/scoreFollower.py b/music21/audioSearch/scoreFollower.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         audioSearch.scoreFollower.py
 # Purpose:      Detection of the position in the score in real time

diff --git a/music21/audioSearch/transcriber.py b/music21/audioSearch/transcriber.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         audioSearch.transcriber.py
 # Purpose:      Automatically transcribe melodies from a microphone or

diff --git a/music21/bar.py b/music21/bar.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         bar.py
 # Purpose:      music21 classes for representing bars, repeats, and related

diff --git a/music21/base.py b/music21/base.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         base.py
 # Purpose:      Music21 base classes and important utilities

diff --git a/music21/beam.py b/music21/beam.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         beam.py
 # Purpose:      music21 classes for representing beams and beam groups

diff --git a/music21/braille/__init__.py b/music21/braille/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 __all__ = [

diff --git a/music21/braille/basic.py b/music21/braille/basic.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         basic.py
 # Purpose:      music21 class which allows transcription of music21Object instances to braille.

diff --git a/music21/braille/examples.py b/music21/braille/examples.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         examples.py
 # Purpose:      Transcribing popular music into braille music using music21.

diff --git a/music21/braille/lookup.py b/music21/braille/lookup.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         lookup.py
 # Purpose:      music21 class which contains lookup tables between print and braille

diff --git a/music21/braille/noteGrouping.py b/music21/braille/noteGrouping.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         noteGrouping.py
 # Purpose:      Transcribes note groupings into Braille

diff --git a/music21/braille/objects.py b/music21/braille/objects.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         object.py
 # Purpose:      music21 classes for indicating Braille formatting, etc.

diff --git a/music21/braille/runAllBrailleTests.py b/music21/braille/runAllBrailleTests.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         braille/runAllBrailleTests.py
 # Purpose:      Test runner for Bo-Cheng Jhan and others who would prefer

diff --git a/music21/braille/segment.py b/music21/braille/segment.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         segment.py
 # Purpose:      Division of stream.Part into segments for individual handling

diff --git a/music21/braille/test.py b/music21/braille/test.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         test.py
 # Purpose:      Examples from "Introduction to Braille Music Transcription"

diff --git a/music21/braille/text.py b/music21/braille/text.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         text.py
 # Purpose:      music21 class which allows for accurate formatting of braille transcription

diff --git a/music21/braille/translate.py b/music21/braille/translate.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         translate.py
 # Purpose:      music21 class which allows transcription of music21 data to braille

diff --git a/music21/capella/__init__.py b/music21/capella/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         capella/__init__.py
 # Purpose:      parses Capella music Notation

diff --git a/music21/capella/fromCapellaXML.py b/music21/capella/fromCapellaXML.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         fromCapellaXML.py
 # Purpose:      Module for importing capellaXML (.capx) files.

diff --git a/music21/chord/__init__.py b/music21/chord/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         chord.py
 # Purpose:      Chord representation and utilities

diff --git a/music21/chord/tables.py b/music21/chord/tables.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         chord.tables.py
 # Purpose:      data and tables for chord and set class processing.

diff --git a/music21/chord/tools.py b/music21/chord/tools.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         chord/tools.py
 # Purpose:      Chord utilities too obscure to go on the Chord object

diff --git a/music21/clef.py b/music21/clef.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         clef.py
 # Purpose:      Objects for representing clefs

diff --git a/music21/common/__init__.py b/music21/common/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         common.py
 # Purpose:      Basic Utilities

diff --git a/music21/common/classTools.py b/music21/common/classTools.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         common/classTools.py
 # Purpose:      Utilities for classes

diff --git a/music21/common/decorators.py b/music21/common/decorators.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         common/decorators.py
 # Purpose:      Decorators for functions

diff --git a/music21/common/enums.py b/music21/common/enums.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Name:         common/enums.py
 # Purpose:      Music21 Enumerations