I need help creating this triplet-based rhythm...

[DSMorningstar]

I'm trying to create a quarter note triplet that starts out with two eighth notes in place of the first quarter note, but nothing I try seems to work. Later in the score I was able to write a quarter note triplet with two eighth notes in place of the third quarter note, so surely I should be able to do the reverse. Right?

I gave up after a while and realized it using two eighth note triplets with note 3 tied to 4 and 5 tied to 6, but to me that's a lot more confusing to the eye. Is there a way to get this rhythm to look how I want?

Please help!

[Bill Stevens]

Are you using Speedy Entry or Simple Entry for this?

Bill

[DSMorningstar]

Simple Entry.

[Bill Stevens]

I don't use Simple Entry so I'm not the best person to help you with shortcuts, but you can certainly do two 8ths and two quarters and use the tuplet tool to turn that into 3 quarters in the time of 2 quarters. Does that help?

Bill

[DSMorningstar]

I just figured it out! It worked when I emptied the rest of the measure first. Thanks for offering your insight, though!

[motet]

Enter the first note, then press alt-9 and define your triplet. Press ok, then delete the resulting rests before entering the rest of the notes (deleting the rests circumvents a bug that happens in certain situations, but may not be necessary).