Struggling nested triplets

[ocdrums12]

I am writing in 2/4 and want 3 triplets, with 3 eighth notes nested inside each quarter triplet. I have tried what others here have suggested, Speedy entry and using the tuplet tool, but I always end up with crazy dotted notes at the end of the bar. Can anyone help?

[Peter Thomsen]

… I am writing in 2/4 and want 3 triplets, with 3 eighth notes nested inside each quarter triplet …

I am not sure I understand.

Do you mean A (across two measures) ?

Or do you mean B (across one measure, double speed) ?

Or ?

NestedTriplet.gif

[motet]

I was composing a reply as you answered, so I'll post it. It's a bit unclear, but my guess is that what's wanted is a quarter-note triplet composed of three eighth-note triplets.

In Speedy entry, uncheck "Insert notes or rests." Type Ctrl-3 and enter a quarter note of any pitch (you will soon replace it). This sets up the outer triplet. Back the cursor up using left-arrow so it's over the quarter note, then enter the three eighth-note triplets (Cltr-3, eighth, eighth, eighth--three times). Use the arrow keys and / to break the beams at the beginning of the second and third triplets (for some reason, Finale beams them all together).

Finally, go to the Selection tool and double-click on the middle "3" (there are in fact two on top of one another). Right-click on the handle that appears, and select Flip.

[ocdrums12]

Yes, I am trying to get "B" from Peter's reply, except all eighth notes.

Motet, I did all the steps from your reply, and I got this. This shows my process going step-by-step. Where do I go from here to get 9 eighth note triplets total?

[motet]

I'm afraid I'm still unclear on what you want. Do you want what's in my picture, or some variant of Peter's B? Do you really mean 9 triplets, or 9 notes? In my instructions, by "triplet" I mean the set of three notes, so when I say "enter three tripets," I mean to enter 9 notes:

Ctrl-3, note, note, note
Ctrl-3, note, note, note
Ctrl-3, note, note, note

[ocdrums12]

I’m sorry. This is truly what I meant (picture below). Just like your picture. I’m arranging a piece. It’s in 2/4. There are three quarter note triplets, and between each triplet there are 3 eighth note triplets. I imagine it like having accents on each quarter triplet with two notes after each accent.

[motet]

Like my picture above, then. I believe my instructions are correct, so try to follow them carefully. I'll double-check them, though.

[motet]

My instructions check out. Make sure you've unchecked "Insert notes or rests." After entering the quarter note and backing up the cursor, your screen should look like this:

0291.png

Make sure your cursor looks like that (a plain line). Then enter your three triplets in a row: Ctrl-3, eighth-note, eighth-note, eighth-note, Ctrl-3, eighth-note, eighth-note, eighth-note, Ctrl-3, eighth-note, eighth-note, eighth-note.

[ocdrums12]

Do I turn on “Insert Notes or Rests” at all while creating the entire nested tuplet?

[motet]

It's got to be off when entering the very first eighth note. But there's nothing to be gained by turning it back on. I'm not sure why you're having so much trouble. Follow exactly what I've said.

[motet]

Here's an alternative, though it's more steps. Enter two ordinary eighth-note triplets. Then go to the Tuplet tool, double-click the first note, and specify three quarters in the space of two quarters. Then go back and enter the last eighth-note triplet. You'll still need to break the beams and flip the outer tuplet per the above instructions.

[ocdrums12]

The longer way in Simple Entry worked!!!!!!

[Anders Hedelin]

Just a thought:
9 tuplet eighths is further from the regular 4 eighths in 2/4 time, than 9 tuplet sixteenths are from the regular 8 sixteenths. It might look a bit confusing that there are so many eighths as nine in a 2/4 measure!

So, one solution could be using sixteenths and a ratio definition (selectable in the tuplet tool as the option X:Y in stead of a mere number):

3 x 3 tuplet.PNG

(meaning 9 in the place of 8 sixteenths)

[Anders Hedelin]

As so often with intricate solutions there are pros and cons: Your idea with triplets within a triplet, ocdrums12, is logical enough, I think. My suggestion may be closer to the regular note values, but doesn't tell as clearly of the idea of the triplet over the whole measure. Neither solution would present a problem for an experienced musician, though.