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Rhythmic slash notation

This tool converts a sequence of notes to a rhythmic pattern (visual only) using the rhythmic slash notation.
(See attached image as an example.)
The original notes (or chords) are uninportant and will be standardized and muted.
What matters is simply their duration.
It uses the char '/' of MusicDingsSans or MusicDingsSerif with the same size of the standard NWC2STDA.
By default that font is assumed as font User 1, but a different User font (1..6) can be specified on the command line.
E.g., "scripts\fl_SlashNotation.lua 3" to use User 3.

Version: 1,1

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Flurmy –
This tool converts a sequence of notes to a rhythmic pattern (visual only) using the rhythmic slash notation.
(See attached image as an example.)
The original notes (or chords) are uninportant and will be standardized and muted.
What matters is simply their duration.
Assumes font User 1 being MusicDingsSans or MusicDingsSerif with the same size of the standard NWC2STDA.
I was recently watching a review of NWC on YouTube, that mentioned its lack of rhythmic slash notation. I was unfamiliar with slash notation at that time, so I looked into it a bit. I am curious whether you also saw this review, and whether it was the motivation for creating this user tool.

Of course, when I see something like this, my mind always says "I wonder how this could be done by a user object". It is possible to do something like CueHeads.ms and draw slashes on headless stems. I haven't tried out this new tool yet, but I will do so to get a feel for what it does.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Mike Shawaluk –
I am curious whether you also saw this review, and whether it was the motivation for creating this user tool.
Yesssss!  :D
But there is more.
Lately I'm transcribing a lot of jazz for the orchestra and often the guitar part is written this way.
I did it by hand for a couple of scores, but then I asked myself what I was waiting to automate it.
The review was just the final push.  ;)

I think that creating a specific object for this is a sort of overkilling, but sure it will work too.
Good luck!

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #3 –
Nice.
Can I make an enhancement suggestion?

Quite often I need to enter comping marks - these are really just a slash in place of a crotchet (quarter note) rest.
Currently I place a crotchet rest, then create a text entry centred on it in the correct vertical alignment (centred in the staff), then I move the rest off the page with Global_mod.  The rest must be moved instead of being made invisible or it won't take up the necessary horizontal space.  Perhaps you could modify this tool to automate that process too (it would need to move the rest).
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
Quite often I need to enter comping marks - these are really just a slash in place of a crotchet (quarter note) rest.
Do you mean something like in the attached image?
Of course I can make it as an enhancement, but I see it quite different, hence deserving his own tool.
I was indeed wondering if creating it or not.
Stay tuned.

Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
then I move the rest off the page with Global_mod.  The rest must be moved instead of being made invisible or it won't take up the necessary horizontal space.  Perhaps you could modify this tool to automate that process too (it would need to move the rest).
Yuk, I forgot that trick (and I was hoping it wasn't needed anymore...)!
I don't remember which was the usual value for the offset. Perhaps the maximum allowed. Maybe 25000?

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #5 –
If there were still updates being done to NWC, I would vote for a visibility option of "Transparent", which allows that object to be hidden but still take up its normal space on the staff.  No more need to move objects into the stratosphere.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #6 –
Hi Flurmy, thanks for putting together this tool and the Beats Slashes. This is great and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of these. Besides using NWC for Classical and Wind Ensemble music transcriptions and for transposing parts for other instrumentation, I also use it to compose and transcribe jazz charts and Lead Sheets and this will eliminate a lot of painful and tedious editing to create these.

If you're open to feedback and/or are still making tweaks and refinements to these tools, I was wondering a couple of things. First, how difficult would it be to include a user interface with either tool to allow the selection of a different User font with each use or to allow a user to modify the tool going forward to use their User font of choice? I have created many templates that already utilize User 1 for other markings and it would be a chore to modify each of them to accommodate the tool's default of User 1. I know I could highlight and use Global Mod to make these changes after the fact, but if it can done with one click of a button, why not.  :)

The second thing I'm wondering is with the Rhythmic Slash tool if there is any way to shorten the length of the slash and reposition it to reflect more of what one would see in a jazz chart? This is not a deal breaker by any means, and if it's too much of a pain in the rear I would understand not putting in the effort to make the change. Purely a selfish request on my part that would be a nice to have and not a must. I will still use the tool regardless as it will definitely save me a lot of time.

Anyway, thanks again for a very useful user tool.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #7 –
Additions made.  ;)

Quote from: Michael W. Powell –
I know I could highlight and use Global Mod to make these changes after the fact
Well, I'd rather change "User1" in the code with the desired font, but I know this is cheating!  :))  :))

Quote from: Michael W. Powell –
there is any way to shorten the length of the slash and reposition it to reflect more of what one would see in a jazz chart?
Not impossible at all, but I need some examples.
I based my tools on the examples found online.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Flurmy –
Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
Quite often I need to enter comping marks - these are really just a slash in place of a crotchet (quarter note) rest.
Do you mean something like in the attached image?
Of course I can make it as an enhancement, but I see it quite different, hence deserving his own tool.
I was indeed wondering if creating it or not.
Stay tuned.
Exactly as in the attached image.
I figured a single tool to do both would be less confusing, but I'll be happy with 2 tools.
Thanks mate.

Quote
Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
then I move the rest off the page with Global_mod.  The rest must be moved instead of being made invisible or it won't take up the necessary horizontal space.  Perhaps you could modify this tool to automate that process too (it would need to move the rest).
Yuk, I forgot that trick (and I was hoping it wasn't needed anymore...)!
I don't remember which was the usual value for the offset. Perhaps the maximum allowed. Maybe 25000?
The max allowed is, I think around 2047 - I always use 2000 as it is an easy, round number.  I actually have an invocation of Global_Mod specifically for this function, and it is set to 2000.  I also have a -2000 version but I rarely have need to use it.
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
Nice.
Can I make an enhancement suggestion?

Quite often I need to enter comping marks - these are really just a slash in place of a crotchet (quarter note) rest.
Currently I place a crotchet rest, then create a text entry centred on it in the correct vertical alignment (centred in the staff), then I move the rest off the page with Global_mod.  The rest must be moved instead of being made invisible or it won't take up the necessary horizontal space.  Perhaps you could modify this tool to automate that process too (it would need to move the rest).

No need to use a rest pushed into the stratosphere.  Instead, try notes instead of rests.  Each one should be set to muted, stem length zero and nviible notehead. Then put a text slash (  /  ) before it aligned to next note or rest.  The target note itself should have an invisible notehead, should be muted, stem length zero, and invisible notehead. 

Sorry if this has already been touched on, I haven't read the entire thread yet.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #10 –
Good idea, David.
Indeed, it's exactly what I've done in the script.  :)
 

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #11 –
Quote from: David Palmquist –
<snip>
No need to use a rest pushed into the stratosphere.  Instead, try notes instead of rests.  Each one should be set to muted, stem length zero and nviible notehead. Then put a text slash (  /  ) before it aligned to next note or rest.  The target note itself should have an invisible notehead, should be muted, stem length zero, and invisible notehead. 

Sorry if this has already been touched on, I haven't read the entire thread yet.
Too much messing around.  Placing a rest is a single key stroke, then when it comes time to convert, just select the required notes/bars and run the tool, provided it pushes the rest off the page - easy peasy.
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Lawrie Pardy –
Too much messing around.  Placing a rest is a single key stroke, then when it comes time to convert, just select the required notes/bars and run the tool, provided it pushes the rest off the page - easy peasy.
If you are going to use a tool anyway, then placing a regular note instead of a rest is also a single keystroke. The tool that inserts the slash can also change the notehead to a blank, mute it and set its stem length to zero. Just as easy peasy :)

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #13 –
Once again, that's exactly what my tool does.  :)

Re: Rhythmic slash notation

Reply #14 –
OK, so the only times I need this kind of notation is for guitar parts.

typically I see:
  • Normal notes
  • Slash head notes denoting sub crotchet and dotted crotchet rhythm figures*
  • Slashes showing crotchet length rhythm
  • Actual rests

When notating I currently set up a crotchet rest (moved off the page) with a slash centred on it which I can copy when needed; and a slash head note that is muted, headless and with a slash positioned appropriately which I can also copy and adjust (ties and length) as needed.  Normal notes and rests get entered as normal.

Flurmy's 2 tools mean I don't need to faff around looking for my crotchet rhythm slashes or my slash headed notes so I can copy them, just place notes/rests and run the tool on the selection.  This should be just a little quicker, easier and more consistent between charts than my current method.

Notating in this way makes it much, much easier to know what's what.  Mike's wish for a transparent rest would be wonderful but in the meantime I'll stick with moving rests off the page.  A similar wish for actual slash head notes (like the current cross head notes) would also be a great boon.

* I very rarely have need of cues on guitar parts, so notating these with headless notes is not enough of an issue to worry about.  If I really need cues, I can place a cueheads object at the start and finish of the cue section and adjust visibility as needed.

I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.