When inputting syncopated 8th and 16th notes in common time, it generally works quite well to simply input the actual mathematical duration of the note and allow Dorico to write the ties necessary to properly notate it. However, in one specific instance, Dorico doesn’t write the rhythm correctly. It seems when writing syncopated 8th-notes (offset by a sixteenth) across a strong beat and a weak beat (across beats 1-2 or beats 3-4), Dorico beams across the beat rather than breaking the beam and using a tie, which is the preferred (and correct) notation.
In the screenshot below, the top rhythm is what Dorico writes by default. The bottom rhythm is the correct notation, but in order to get that notation I must enable “force duration” and input the sixteenths and the ties manually. This seems like a bug.
Yes, you are correct, that setting will correct the issue with the syncopated 8th notes, but it creates a different problem with syncopated quarter notes. In my world, the first notation below is preferable (syncopated quarters spanning strong to weak beats), rather than continuously notated 8ths. Seems like an additional option separating the two use cases would be helpful. But since I spend more time notating lines that move in syncopated 8ths rather than 4’s it would be a time saver to make the setting change you suggested.
