There have been a lot of topics on note groupings for syncopations on the forum but I started a new one because I’m not sure if my question is related to the same underlying mechanics.
My Notation options are such that I get the grouping in staff 1 by default. This also gives me staff 2 if the last eighth note changes to 2 sixteenths. Currently, I’m inputting an existing piece that uses 3 a lot. During note input stage I like to notate exactly what is written in the original. Is there any combination of Notation options that will give me both 1 and 3 without having to use force duration?
I can use force duration, but if during the arranging process I were to decide to renotate those rhythms as 2, I’d have a hell of a job undoing all those forced rhythms. (I can’t just select all and do Reset appearance because there are other rhythms in that piece that I need to force and I definitely don’t want to change those). So I’m hoping there is a particular combination of settings that I’m missing… any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
You can’t expect to have both options simultaneously as default! One or other will need to be forced. Though you might be able to do that forcing using a hidden beat group change as @charles_piano suggests.
I figured as much, but I thought I’d ask anyway. I’ll probably end up changing the grouping anyway, so I think I’ll input it without force duration to begin with. Thanks for chiming in @Janus and @charles_piano !
@John_Ruggero you actually get the examples I posted with the factory settings for Note grouping>Syncopation, which indeed means the notation for short-long-short is set to Notate as single notes. See the attached file for my settings.
I haven’t been able to find a notation option that influences the notation of example 2 at all, which is why I started the topic. As soon as sixteenths are involved in a syncopated figure, Dorico breaks up the quarter note into tied eighths. This is a rule that for Dorico apparently is set in stone. TBH I think the third bar is still a very straightforward rhythm and perfectly sight readable without the clutter of the tied eighths, but I also know that I’m not much of a reference.
On the one hand, I can see value in allowing situations such as your third pattern to be an engrave or notation option.
On the other hand, we don’t know what potentially undesirable side effects that might cause. Presumably those who design the available options in Dorico do. If those can be handled in the future, I’m sure the Development Team will enable the ability to have syncopated rhythms with sixteenth notes before or after the quarter note…when the timing is right.
