I’m using a triplet-esque rhythm throughout my 4/4 piece (dotted eighth + dotted eighth+ eighth) and Dorico naturally wants to change the second dotted eight note to a 16th note tied to an eight note, in order to make the first beat clear.
However, this rhythm is repeated constantly throughout the piece (often with staccato markings) and would be much easier to read if it was simply kept as a dotted eighth note. Is there a way to change this? I’ve been scouring the notation options but nothing seems to fit the description. I’m using Dorico Elements and I fear that may be the issue.
Additionally, is there a name for this particular rhythm? It’s used everywhere in music and I’m tired of not knowing a name for it.
Welcome to the forum. This rhythm is called a “tresillo.”
You can accomplish this by pressing O to turn on Force Duration before entering the notes. Force Duration will display the notes exactly as you enter them (except for durations that cross barlines).
Although you should be able to notate this as you wish, @williams.clue, (and can, with Force Duration), I know that I now use the kind of notation Dorico suggests since I found that many players, especially if sight-reading, found the abbreviated notation more difficult, resulting either in wasted rehearsal time or a less reliable performance.
But you know your people and, as I said, should notate it as you wish.
With the editions I prepare, my personal principle is that if such a rhythm occurs only once or twice, I notate it according to the beat (“Dorico’s way”). But if it’s going to be repeated constantly, measure after measure, then I consolidate the durations into single notes (using Force Duration), knowing that the pattern will become familiar through repetition.
Enter the time signature as [8+8]/16. (You may need to use a hidden time signature in the second measure and use a 4/4 time signature in the first measure with Force Duration.)
I would like to add, that Dorico’s “default” notation in this case is not just easier to (sight)read for the player, but it’s also musically meaningful: it’s an offbeat or early second beat.
