# notation_examples

Fetch six canonical example inputs covering the most common notation_render use cases: single-line melody, two-voice counterpoint (cantus firmus + counterpoint), block-chord progression (cadence), mixed rhythms with dynamics + articulations, four-instrument string quartet, and notes tied across a bar line. WHEN TO USE: first encounter with this MCP — fetch examples to learn the input format with concrete worked patterns; before a notation_render call when uncertain how to express a particular musical structure (a chord, a multi-voice staff, a tied note); to show your end user what kinds of notation are possible. WHEN NOT TO USE: after caching the response (the examples are stable across the v1 API; fetch once and reuse forever); when you only need formal type definitions (use notation_schema for JSON Schema instead). INPUT: none. Pass an empty object {}. OUTPUT (JSON): { ok: true, examples: [{ id, title, description, use_when, input: NotationInput }], docs: { schema, render, validate }, attribution }. Six examples with stable ids: single-melody, two-voice-counterpoint, chord-progression, mixed-rhythms, string-quartet-snippet, tied-across-bar. Each input is a complete payload that can be passed directly to notation_render. EXAMPLE INPUT: {} (no parameters) TYPICAL LATENCY: 30-200 ms. Response is cached at CDN with long TTL — subsequent calls are essentially free.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `notation_examples`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/notation-examples

## Facts

- Tool: `notation_examples`
- Server: Gradus Notation (`@gradusmusic/notation-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation.md
- Install: `npx -y @gradusmusic/notation-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/delmas41/gradusnotation
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade C, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "notation_examples",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why notation_examples is rated Low

notation_examples is a read-only tool that retrieves predefined example data to help users understand how to use the notation_render API. It has no side effects, does not execute arbitrary code, and does not modify any state. The tool serves an educational/reference purpose similar to documentation lookup or data retrieval.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool fetches and returns example notation inputs ('Fetch six canonical example inputs'); no modification, deletion, or execution of code/commands occurs. This is purely a retrieval operation to learn input formats."

## Use case

AI agents call notation_examples to retrieve information from Gradus Notation without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Gradus Notation:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "notation_examples": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Gradus Notation (9)

- `knowledge_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/knowledge-search.md
- `notation_render` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/notation-render.md
- `notation_schema` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/notation-schema.md
- `notation_validate` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/notation-validate.md
- `theory_analyze_score` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/theory-analyze-score.md
- `theory_parse_xml` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/theory-parse-xml.md
- `theory_pitch_utils` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/theory-pitch-utils.md
- `theory_respell` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/theory-respell.md
- `theory_validate_ranges` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-gradusmusic-notation/theory-validate-ranges.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=com-gradusmusic-notation · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/com-gradusmusic-notation