The ability to input custom note length is a feature needed for more complex polyrhythms, and could raise the ceiling on the complexity of writing on songs.
The ability to input custom note length is a feature needed for more complex polyrhythms, and could raise the ceiling on the complexity of writing on songs.
Comments (8)
+1
Can you give and example? What lengths are you thinking of?
Possibly just a system where you input any length and it will just divide the bar into that length? I am by no means an expert on this, but it might be possible to have an automated system do the work?
You can already do that with the snap menu and its note lengths. Make sure that grid snap is active, choose a note length and any new note you create will have that length. You can also see the corresponding subdivisions in the grid. Is there any note length you're missing?
The note lengths provided are pretty standard and don't allow for "easily" making complex polyrhythms.
Really? Most poly-rhythms are created by combining duplet and triplet meters, like 4/4 and 6/4, or 3/4 and 2/4, etc. The snap menu provides you with both duplets and triplets for 8th, 16th and 32nd notes, which covers pretty much all possibilities. You could argue for the inclusion of a quarter triplet note, but this can be done easily with a double 8th triplet note. Again, which other note lengths are you missing? Do you have an example of a poly-rhythm that can't be achieved with the provided note lengths?
I might just be silly and not know how to make them well enough :/
If you'd just give an example, we could work it out. :) Usually poly-rhythms are two or more rhythms playing together where one rhythm isn't based or derived from the same kind of meter as the other. That's where all the triplet note lengths (the ones ending in "T") come in handy. Remember that, for added complexity, you could even include irrational rhythms in your poly-rhythm. For example, 7/8. For that, you would change your time signature in the transport. The combination of irrational/rational rhythms and the duplet/triplet notes can give you pretty mind blowing complexity.