Constant beat 4/4 to 6/8

[buddymoore]

I want to change between 4/4 time and 6/8 time and have the beat remain constant on playback (quarter note in 4/4 equals dotted quarter in 6/8). Currently the eighth note remains constant on playback. Any ideas? Thanks.

version 2014d.v5030 Windows

[HaraldS]

Set the time signature to 2 dotted quarter notes instead of 6 eighth notes.

[buddymoore]

I think that is my current setting. When I click Edit Time Signature it shows 2 dotted quarters. When I increase the number of beats it shows 3. When I decrease it shows 1.

[zuill]

You'll need to create an expression that sets the dotted quarter to the same BPM as the quarter in 4/4 time. You can hide it if you want, but it is best to have something like quarter=dotted quarter so then player knows what to do.

Zuill

[HaraldS]

I think that is my current setting. When I click Edit Time Signature it shows 2 dotted quarters. When I increase the number of beats it shows 3. When I decrease it shows 1.

I see. Strange, 'cause it works for me.

[FwL]

6/8 is equivalent to triplets in 2/4. Can this be notated in 2/4?

If you're keeping the quarter note pulse constant, I would think that would be a better way to do it.

[zuill]

Actually, there should be no problem with 4/4 to 6/8. It is very common. Just set up the expression as I suggested and all should be well. Finale handles it quite well.

Zuill

[buddymoore]

I think that is my current setting. When I click Edit Time Signature it shows 2 dotted quarters. When I increase the number of beats it shows 3. When I decrease it shows 1.

I see. Strange, 'cause it works for me.

I've tried this and I've used the articulation tool to indicate quarter = dotted quarter at the change and nothing changes in the playback. I wonder if something in my settings is keeping this from working. I guess I could change to 2/4 and use triplets, but this is a fairly common change and I'm surprised that it won't work.

[zuill]

I would use the expression tool, not the articulation tool. In the Playback tab, choose Tempo, then choose dotted quarter as the note type, then set the tempo you want. For this case, it should the same as you had in the 4/4 section.

Zuill

[buddymoore]

I would use the expression tool, not the articulation tool. In the Playback tab, choose Tempo, then choose dotted quarter as the note type, then set the tempo you want. For this case, it should the same as you had in the 4/4 section.

Zuill

I mis-spoke - I did use the expression tool. It looks right - it just won't play back the way I want it to.

[Peter Thomsen]

… I mis-spoke - I did use the expression tool. It looks right - it just won't play back the way I want it to.

I suggest that you attach a (small) Finale sample document here, for the gurus to examine.

By examining the Finale sample document someone might be able to find the culprit.

We do not need the actual music - just the empty measures and the tempo expressions.

[buddymoore]

I would use the expression tool, not the articulation tool. In the Playback tab, choose Tempo, then choose dotted quarter as the note type, then set the tempo you want. For this case, it should the same as you had in the 4/4 section.

Zuill

I mis-spoke - I did use the expression tool. It looks right - it just won't play back the way I want it to.

[motet]

Both of your expressions have Playback set to None.

[motet]

Do something like this.

[buddymoore]

Thanks. I will work on it more on Monday when I get back to school (don't have Finale at home).