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.

To enter a triplet

1. Click the Simple Entry tool  . The Simple Entry palettes appear.
2. Click the icon representing the desired note’s duration. Click any accidental tools, if desired.
3. Click the Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
4. 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.
5. 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.

To remove a tuplet

1. DDouble-click the Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
2. 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.

To enter a duplet, septuplet or other tuplet

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.

1. Double-click the Simple Tuplet tool on the Simple Entry palette.
2. Shift-click where you would like to add a tuplet (or with the caret press 9). The Simple Entry Tuplet Definition dialog box appears.
3. 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 popup menu.

For example, to define a standard eighth note duplet, you could fill out the values as “2 (eighths) in the space of 3 (eighths).”

4. Click OK. A note appears where you clicked with rests filling out the rest of the tuplet.
5. After entering a note with the caret, hold down Option 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.

1. 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.
2. From the Simple Menu, choose check Use MIDI Device for Input (if it is not checked already).
3. 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 Command and press the up and down arrows to move the caret up and down between staves.
4. Click a duration tool in the Simple Entry palette, or type the corresponding keystroke in the numeric keypad (1-8). 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.
5. 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.

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