Tuplets
(Simple Entry)
The word tuplet describes a class of irregular
note divisions such as triplets, quintuplets, or septuplets. Simple triplets
are easy in Simple Entry tool. If you want to do duplets, septuplets or
other tuplets, you’ll need the Simple Entry Tuplet Definition dialog box.
For more complex tuplets, such as ratios or nested tuplets, see the Tuplet tool.
- Click
the Simple Entry tool . The Simple
Entry palettes appear.
- Click
the icon representing the desired note’s duration. Click any accidental
tools, if desired.
- Click the
Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
- Click
the staff. A note appears where you clicked with rests filling
out the rest of the triplet. By default, the triplet will use the duration
of the first note to define the triplet. If there isn’t enough room to
create the full tuplet or you click within an already existing tuplet,
SongWriter will enter a note of the duration you selected.
- After
entering a note or rest with the caret, press 9 (or numpad 9) to begin
a triplet on the note just entered. SongWriter adds rests to complete
the triplet. Then, enter the next two notes to replace the rests.
- DDouble-click
the Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
- Click
on the first note in the tuplet. The tuplet is removed and the
notes are restored to full value. If there is not enough room in the measure
for the full value of the tuplet notes, nothing will happen. Remove the
extra notes first, then remove the tuplet definition.
By default, the triplet will use the duration
of the first note to define the triplet. If you want to create an eighth
note triplet starting with a quarter note, you’ll need to use the below
technique.
- Double-click
the Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
- Shift-click
where you would like to add a tuplet (or with the caret press 9). The
Simple Entry Tuplet Definition dialog box appears.
- Specify
the rhythmic composition of the tuplet. SongWriter is asking, “How
many notes of what rhythmic value are to fit in the space normally allotted
to how many of what value?” Enter the number of each rhythmic value in
the text boxes. Specify the rhythmic value itself by selecting the rhythmic-value
from the drop-down list.
For example, to define a standard eighth note
duplet, you could fill out the values as “2 (eighths) in the space of
3 (eighths).”
- Click
OK. A note appears where you clicked with rests filling out the
rest of the tuplet.
- After entering
a note with the caret, hold down Ctrl and press 9 (or numpad 9) to open
the Simple Entry Tuplet Definition dialog box. Define the tuplet as described
above and click OK. A tuplet appears based on your settings.
Using a MIDI device with Simple Entry.
Using a MIDI keyboard for entry is an alternative
to clicking notes onto the staff or typing them with your computer keyboard.
To use an external MIDI device for entry, ensure you have properly configured
a MIDI Input device in the MIDI Setup dialog box. For MIDI setup instructions
refer to Setting up your MIDI system.
- Click
the Simple Entry tool . The Simple
Entry Caret appears in the score. If it does not, from the Simple Menu,
choose Use Simple Entry Caret.
- From
the Simple Menu, choose check Use MIDI Device for Input (if it is not
checked already).
- Activate
the caret at the desired point of entry. Use the left and right
arrow keys to move the caret left and right. Hold down Ctrl and press the up and down arrows
to move the caret up and down between staves.
- Click
a duration tool in the Simple Entry palette, or type the corresponding
keystroke in the numeric keypad (1-8).Note
that if you are using a notebook computer, as an alternative, you can
hold down Ctrl-Alt-Shift and press a number 1-8 on the QWERTY keyboard.
You can also choose other tools, such as the Tuplet or Tie tool to specify
other properties for the note(s) you are about to enter.
- Play
the desired note or chord on your MIDI keyboard or other MIDI input device.
The notes appear on the staff and the caret moves to the right.
After entering a note or chord, use any of
the available modifier keystrokes to change the entry. See Modify Notes and
Rests, or, to see a complete list of commands, from the Simple Menu,
choose Simple Edit Commands.