User manual

Table Of Contents
Tuplets
Tuplets indicate where a beat is divided into a different number of subdivisions than is usually
expected according to the current meter. They can be used to t more notes or fewer notes in a
beat than usually exist in a beat, according to the usual pattern of subdivision.
A 4/4 bar with the standard subdivision of four
quarter notes
A 4/4 bar with a subdivision of six triplet quarter
notes in the space of four regular quarter notes
A 6/8 bar with the standard subdivision of six eighth
notes
A 6/8 bar with a subdivision of four duplet eighth
notes in the space of six regular eighth notes
Because these subdivisions are not standard but tuplet notes use the same rhythmic notation as
normal notes, tuplets must be clearly marked to show that their rhythmic duration is different.
In the examples, the triplet quarter notes are shown under a bracket with the number 3. The
duplet eighth notes do not need a bracket as they are joined by a beam, which has a number 2
above it.
Tuplets in Dorico SE can be shown with just a tuplet bracket, with a tuplet bracket and a tuplet
number/ratio, or with a tuplet bracket, a tuplet number/ratio, and a note indicating the note
value of the tuplet.
RELATED LINKS
Inputting tuplets on page 187
Tuplet brackets on page 864
Tuplet numbers/ratios on page 866
General placement conventions for tuplets
Tuplet brackets and tuplet numbers/ratios are generally placed on the stem side of notes. When
tuplets are shown with a tuplet beam, a tuplet bracket is not always necessary but can be shown
in addition to a tuplet number/ratio.
According to convention, tuplet brackets and tuplet numbers/ratios are always placed above the
staff for vocal staves, so they do not come between notes and lyrics.
Tuplet brackets should be placed as close to notes as possible without colliding with other
notation, such as slurs or articulation. Slurs are usually placed inside tuplet brackets if the slur is
shorter than the tuplet bracket. If a slur is longer than a tuplet bracket, the slur can be placed
outside the tuplet bracket.
The horizontal position of tuplet brackets should allow it to be immediately obvious which notes
are included in the bracket. They should not extend so far that notes following the tuplet appear
to be included.
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Dorico SE 3.1.10