Inputting tuplets

You can input all types of tuplets using the tuplets popover. Tuplets can contain notes of any duration, such as a quarter note at the start of an eighth note triplet.

Note

These steps describe inputting notes with the default preference of duration before pitch. However, you can also specify the pitch before duration instead.

When inputting tuplets using pitch before duration, Dorico Elements determines the base value of the tuplet on either the first note you input after specifying the tuplet or the note value included in your tuplet ratio.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, select an item on the staff and at the rhythmic position where you want to input tuplets.
  2. Start note input in any of the following ways:
    • Press Shift-N.

    • In the Notes toolbox, click Start Note Input Start Note Input button.

    • Double-click the staff.

  3. Optional: If you want to input tuplets onto multiple staves at once, extend the caret to those staves.
  4. Open the tuplets popover in any of the following ways:
    • Press ;.

    • In the Notes toolbox, click and hold Tuplets Tuplets button, then click x:y x:y tuplet button in the Notes toolbox.

    When inputting tuplets with the keyboard, Dorico Elements automatically continues inputting notes as the specified tuplet.

  5. Enter the tuplet you want into the popover as a ratio followed by the beat unit.

    For example, enter 3:2e to input eighth note triplets or 5:4x to input sixteenth note quintuplets.

    Note

    If you do not specify the beat unit, the tuplet is based on the note value currently selected in the Notes panel.

  6. Press Return to close the popover.

    The tuplet is entered.

  7. Optional: Change the selected note duration.

    For example, you can input a tuplet based on eighth notes but input a quarter note within that tuplet.

  8. Enter or play in the pitches you want.

    When inputting tuplets with the keyboard, Dorico Elements automatically continues inputting notes as the specified tuplet.

  9. Optional: Advance the caret to continue inputting tuplets of the same ratio at later rhythmic positions in any of the following ways:
    • Press Space.

    • In the Keyboard, Fretboard, or Drum Pads panel toolbar, click Advance Caret Advance Caret button.

  10. Stop tuplet input in one of the following ways:
    • To return to inputting normal notes, press : or move the caret with the arrow keys.

    • To stop note input completely, press Esc.

Result

The pitches you enter or play in are input as tuplets, starting from the caret position.

If you want to input a different type of tuplet immediately after inputting tuplets, you must stop the first type of tuplet before inputting the second type. If you do not stop the first type, the second type is input as a nested tuplet.

Tip

You can also input tuplets by clicking and holding Tuplets in the Notes toolbox, then clicking the tuplet you want.