What is "phonography"

Phonography \Pho*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Phono- + -graphy.]

1. A description of the laws of the human voice, or sounds uttered by the organs of speech.

2. A representation of sounds by distinctive characters; commonly, a system of shorthand writing invented by Isaac Pitman, or a modification of his system, much used by reporters.

   Note: The consonants are represented by straight lines and curves; the vowels by dots and short dashes; but by skilled phonographers, in rapid work, most vowel marks are omitted, and brief symbols for common words and combinations of words are extensively employed. The following line is an example of phonography, in which all the sounds are indicated:

   They also serve who only stand and wait.
   --Milton.

3. The art of constructing, or using, the phonograph.

n. 1 the transcription of speech using symbols 2 a form of shorthand using such symbols 3 (context dated English) The art of constructing, or using, the phonograph.

Maketse Phonography, meaning "sound writing" in Greek, may refer to:

• The use of a phonograph
• Pitman shorthand, sometimes called phonography, a system of shorthand stenography developed by Isaac Pitman
• Phonography, a neologism used by some to refer to field recording
• Phonography (album), the 1976 debut album by R. Stevie Moore
• "Phonography", a bonus track on Britney Spears' 2008 album Circus

Phonography was the 1976 debut 12" vinyl record album by outsider musician and one-man band R. Stevie Moore.

The album was originally privately pressed in a limited edition of 100 copies on the artist's private Vital Records "label" in Nashville Tennessee. It contains Moore's earliest songs and sound experiments, all recorded on 1/4 track 7½ ips reel-to-reel stereo tape decks. A 7" e.p. was issued in 1977 called Four From Phonography, which was the debut release by Moore's uncle Harry Palmer's H.P. Music label.

The album was reissued in a larger general pressing on H.P. Music in late 1978. It had a different front cover image.

Phonography was included in "Alt-Rock-A-Rama" as being among "The Fifty Most Significant Indie Records".

Phonography was reissued on compact disc in 1998 by Flamingo Records in Albuquerque NM. It included 8 non-LP bonus tracks, as well as many photos and an informative interview/essay by Dennis Diken.

Phonography was newly remastered and reissued again on CD in 2009 by Chris Cutler's Recommended Records without the bonus tracks, but with a new booklet of images and data. In 2010 a newer remaster was reissued on deluxe high-grade vinyl by Sundazed Records.