Unequal Groupings

Table of Contents

Note Values
Placement of Notes
Brackets
Slurs
Numbers
Groupings With Articulations
Alternate Ways of Notating Unequal Groupings

NOTE VALUES

The value of the notes in the grouping will usually be the same as that of the notes being replaced; with triplets, note values are always equal to the notes they are replacing.

If the number of notes in the unequal grouping is more than twice then number of notes it is replacing, then the note values of the unequal grouping should be half as much as the notes they are replacing.

PLACEMENT OF NOTES

Vertical alignment is determined by the mathematical division of beats.

BRACKETS

When to Use:

Brackets are used for groups of quarter notes or longer notes, and groups of notes of mixed values.

There are 3 ways a bracket can be placed in relation to the number.



The first of these examples is preferred over the other two, because it uses the least amount of space., and this way the bracket and the number are about the same distance from the notes.

Brackets are usually placed above the staff.

Brackets usually follow the direction of the first and last notes of the triplets.

Brackets are the same thickness as barlines.

Length is determined by the space between the notes in the group. It begins on the left side of the first note and ends on the right side of the last note.If the last note is a flag, the bracket ends at the stem, not at the right side of the flag.

Cases in which brackets should be used instead of slurs

When notes have mixed values.


When a rest and notes are grouped in a triplet.

When the notes are of the same valuation, but with different divisions.

On unusual or rarely used triplets.

SLURS

When to Use: Slurs are used when the note values are an eigth note or less.

Placement:
The placement of the number determines where the slur goes; if the number is on the notehead side, the slur is placed on the notehead side: likewise the slur goes with the stem if that is where the number is.

Many engravers do not use the slur, because they feel that the number alone is sufficient to indicate the triplet.

If a legato slur is needed, it should be placed on the opposite side of the notes as the number, whether or not there is a triplet slur.

NUMBERS

Size: Approx. 1 1/3 spaces high (24 EVPU's).

Type: Boldface Italic.

Placement:

Some engravers place the number near the notehead end, others the stem end. Some engravers put the numbers on top of the stem no matter which direction the stems are going. In either case, the number must be easy to see, so it should not fall within the staff lines.

However, it may be necessary to place the number in the staff in some cases.

If there is a conflict with a slur, put the number on the opposite side of the grouping as the slur.

However, in some cases the number will have to be on he same side as the slur, because of divided voices on the same staff.

The number should go as close to the notes as possible.

The number should never go "inside" of the grouping.

With groupings that are next to each other--especially in the same measure-- be consistent with placement of the number; attach them either to the noteheads or the stem ends.

If the notes in a triplet are evenly spaced. the number should be placed exactly in the middle of the bracket, directly above the middle note.

If the notes in a triplet are NOT evenly spaced (e.g., if there is a lyric underneath that causes the spacing to change), the number is still place directly above the middle note.

If the notes in a series of groupings are all of the same value, the numbers may be omitted after the first two groupings, if the following notes are clearly grouped together.

Numbers for:

Duplets: The "2" is aligned between the 2 notes.

Triplets: The "3" is aligned the middle note of the group.

Quadruplets: The "4" is aligned between the 2nd and 3rd notes of the group.

Quintuplets: "5" is aligned with the middle note of the group.

Sextuplets: The "6<" is aligned between the 3rd and 4th notes in the group.

Septuplets: The "7" is aligned with the middle note in the group.

UNEQUAL GROUPINGS WITH ARTICULATION MARKS

When there are articulations for a note grouping, they always remain close to the note; the bracket or slur does not come between the notes and their articulations.

ALTERNATE WAYS OF NOTATING UNEQUAL GROUPINGS

• Sometimes a note grouping may be notated like this:

  

• Some ways of notating unusual note groupings:

  

• Another unusual method of notation is to write a grouping with rests and notes without a bracket or slur.