Create and edit tuplets

Create and edit tuplets

You can add and edit tuplets—groups of notes evenly divided over a specific rhythmic value—in the Score Editor. The most common tuplet is the triplet (a group of three notes that typically occupies the space of two or four notes).

The symbol for tuplets is grouped together with the symbols for triplets in the Notes group in the Part box.

Figure. N-tuplet symbol in the Part box.

In some cases, you need to choose an appropriate display Quantize value in the Region inspector. See Quantize.) You use the N-tuplet object for the display of other tuplets.

Change how a tuplet is displayed

  1. Drag the N-tuplet symbol from the Part box onto the first note.

    The target note must be indicated in the help tag before you release the mouse button. The Tuplet window opens.

    Figure. Tuplet dialog.

    Set the appropriate parameters in the Tuplet window:

    • Tuplet number of notes: Set the number of tuplet notes in the upper-left field.

    • Tuplet time value: Set the time value in which the tuplets occur in the upper-right numerical field.

    • Tuplet note value: Choose the note value of the tuplets (1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and so on) from the pop-up menu.

    • Hide bracket: Select to hide the bracket over the tuplets.

    • Hide numbers: When selected, the tuplet number will not be printed. It will be displayed in parentheses, to allow further edits to the N-tuplet.

    • Show note value: Select to have the N-tuplet display also contain the note value (the lower number).

    • Direction: Choose the direction of the bracket and number, or choose Auto to have the tuplet use the staff style for the track or region.

    • Allow double values: When selected, N-tuplets can contain note values that are twice as long as the regular tuplet value.

    • Allow half values: When selected, N-tuplets can contain note values that are half the length of the regular tuplet value.

      Tip: Most parameter changes in the Tuplet dialog are reflected in the graphic at the top of the dialog.

  2. Click OK.

In the score, the above example would look like this:

Figure. Example of a five tuplet.

Insert tuplets with the pointer

  1. Insert the first note where you want it to appear in the score.

  2. Drag the N-tuplet symbol onto it.

    If you hold down Option as you insert the N-tuplet symbol, the most recently inserted N-tuplet settings are used, without the dialog opening.

  3. Define the settings in the Tuplet window.

The display initially shows a series of rests, the number of which corresponds to the N-tuplet value. You can insert other notes at these rest positions. To do so, select a note value that approximately matches the length of the desired N-tuplet notes.

The method described above also allows you to create N-tuplets that contain rests or syncopated note values (double length).

Tip: If you want an N-tuplet to begin with a rest, you first need to insert a user rest from the Part box, then drag the N-tuplet symbol onto the rest. Automatically displayed rests cannot function as starting points for N-tuplets.

Make tuplets play with legato phrasing

  1. Select the tuplet (or other) notes.

  2. Choose Functions > Note Events > Note Force Legato (selected/any) from the Score Editor menu bar, or use the corresponding key command.

Edit tuplets

  • Double-click the N-tuplet number, then define settings in the Tuplet window.

Delete a tuplet

Do one of the following:

  • Click the tuplet number with the Eraser tool.

  • Double-click the N-tuplet number, then click the Delete button in the Tuplet window.