Finale Forum

I'm using Finale 2014.5 on a Mac and I'm trying to notate these nested triplets. I want a triplet 8th followed by three nonuplets and then another triplet 8th (see PDF) but can't get it to write it. Any help would be appreciated.

If you're using Simple Entry, probably the easiest way is to enter the notes first as non-triplets--eight, three sixteenths, eighth. You might have to turn off the Simple entry option "check for extra notes". Then, using the separate Tuplet tool from the Tools menu, click on the first note of each (future) tuplet, starting with the innermost one. Finally, you'll probably want to flip one of the 3's so one is above and the other below. Do this by right-clicking on the number.

With Speedy entry it's more straight-forward. Type Ctrl-3, then enter the first eighth, then type Ctrl-3 again, then enter the three sixteenths, followed by the final eighth.

With the Speedy solution it's option-3 on the Mac.

Bill

Thanks--I always forget that. How simpler the world would be had not Apple designed a different keyboard, had not Microsoft chosen a different way to mark a new line in a text document from UNIX (and Apple yet a different one), etc.!

If you look closely at this figure, I don't think the nested triplet for the 3 16ths is even necessary. The outside eighths are the 1st and 3rd of the triplet - the 3 16ths in the middle must be equal to the 2nd eighth. Anotherwords, the main encompassing bracket clearly shows the subdivision. Or am I crazy?

N.

I don't know if you're crazy, but it would be usual to notate the inner triplet, I think. Otherwise, the lone triplet would encompass 7 sixteenth notes.

Hi Guys, thanks for your quick responses. Unfortunately, I've followed exactly the steps listed but I can't get to the result that you seem to achieve and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. If I start with 8th, 3 x 16ths and then another 8th and then change the middle 16ths to triplet 16ths as suggested, I then can't change the two outer 8th notes to triplet 8ths. I must be doing something stupid somewhere along the line!!!

Hmm, it might have worked and they're just on top of each other. Start over, and for the second (outer) tuplet, click on the first eighth and pick a placement of "note side" as shown here:

I've tried that and dragging the 3 manually. When I follow your instructions I get this.
But when played it sounds like one triplet 8th and 4 triplet 16ths like this

Attach a (small) Finale sample document here, for the gurus to examine.

I am confident that someone can find out, what is going on with the triplets.

I wonder if Mike solved this. Sounds like maybe he's not clicking on the first note to create the outer triplet.

I've been away playing for a few days so sorry for not replying but I haven't solved it yet. I've tried clicking every different note first. Maybe when I get some time later I'll actually upload a Finale file and if anyone has 5 minutes, they can have a look and let me know what I'm doing wrong.

Mike