Non-standard ties

Usually, ties join two notes of the same pitch in the same staff. However, ties can also cross system breaks and frame breaks, clef changes, or time signature changes. These types of ties are all positioned automatically in Dorico for iPad.

Ties can also join non-adjacent notes, notes in different voices, or notes in different staves together. In Dorico for iPad, you must input these types of ties manually.

Ties across system/frame breaks

The ends of ties that cross system/frame breaks are automatically positioned in Dorico for iPad.

Their vertical position remains the same, as both ends are centered on the noteheads to which they are attached. Their behavior also remains the same, as selecting one note in a tie chain that crosses a system/frame break in Write mode selects all notes in the tie chain.

The horizontal space for the parts of ties shown to the left of notes at the start of new systems/frames may not be sufficient to show an ideal tie curve.

Figure 1. The start of a tie chain before a system break
Figure 2. The end of the same tie chain after a system break

Tied notes with accidentals across system/frame breaks

The ends of ties for tied notes with accidentals across system/frame breaks are also automatically positioned.

As tied notes in Dorico for iPad are treated as one note notated to fit in time signatures, cautionary accidentals at the start of new systems/frames are not shown by default. If you choose to show accidentals beside notes in tie chains at the start of new systems/frames, the position of the notes is changed to accommodate accidentals. However, this automatic position might not leave sufficient room for the part of the tie to the left of the notes to be shown with an ideal curve.

Figure 3. The start of a tie chain before a system break
Figure 4. The end of the same tie chain, with a cautionary accidental in parentheses

Ties across time signature changes

Ties are automatically positioned between notes that span a time signature change. If ties crossing a time signature change are joining notes in the middle of a staff, the top or bottom of time signature changes are partially obscured by the ties. However, as ties are curved, the time signature is unlikely to be completely obscured.

Ties across clef changes

Ties are automatically positioned between notes that span a change of clef. Ties across clef changes are not horizontal, as the same pitch is positioned differently in each clef.

The result of cross-clef ties is likely to be visually and musically confusing, as they can be misread as slurs. In this case, consider moving the change of clef to before/after the tied note.

Ties between non-adjacent notes

You can input ties between notes of the same pitch that are not directly beside each other and between grace notes and normal notes. This can be useful when inputting ties between multiple notes before a chord, for example.

Figure 5. Notes leading into a chord notated as a series of tied chords
Figure 6. Notes leading into a chord notated as tied non-adjacent notes
Figure 7. Multiple grace notes before a chord with ties between non-adjacent notes

Ties between different voices

You can input ties between notes of the same pitch in different voices belonging to the same instrument.

Ties between notes on different staves

You can input ties between notes of the same pitch in different staves belonging to the same instrument, such as the two staves of a piano.

Laissez vibrer ties

Laissez vibrer ties are short ties that indicate a note should be left to ring, and should not be stopped. They extend a small amount to the right of the note to which they apply, but do not connect to another note.

You can add laissez vibrer ties to any note. You can edit laissez vibrer ties in Engrave mode like any other tie.