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Topic: Slanting Beams (Read 2497 times) previous topic - next topic

Slanting Beams

Code: (nwc) [Select · Download]
!NoteWorthyComposerClip(2.75,Single)
|Clef|Type:Treble
|Key|Signature:C|Tonic:C
|TimeSig|Signature:2/4
|Note|Dur:8th|Pos:0|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:1|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:1|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
|Note|Dur:8th|Pos:0|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:32nd|Pos:1|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam
|Note|Dur:32nd|Pos:1|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam
|Note|Dur:32nd|Pos:2|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam
|Note|Dur:32nd|Pos:2|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
!NoteWorthyComposerClip-End

The quaver/semiquaver group slants correctly, but the second group stays resolutely horizontal unless you adjust the first stem length. This gives two problems: one, you have to do it, and two, the stem lengths outside the staff are very often not the "7" that appears in the note properties so you have to guess what it should be.

Aesthetically too the demisemiquaver beams are too far apart which makes a score with lots of them look very heavy (this is true for the semiquaver stems too but they don't look too bad). The standard width of a beam should be half a staff space and the gap should be a quarter. Elaine Gould in Behind Bars (p17ff)gives a detailed explanation of the whole subject. Could we have an option (and preferably the default) to specify closer beams?

Re: Slanting Beams

Reply #1 –
Thunderous silence :(

On the same subject, why are these pairs treated differently – they should both slope as with the second pair.
Code: (nwc) [Select · Download]
!NoteWorthyComposerClip(2.75,Single)
|Clef|Type:Treble
|Key|Signature:C|Tonic:C
|TimeSig|Signature:2/4
|Note|Dur:8th,Dotted|Pos:8|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:7|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
|Note|Dur:8th,Dotted|Pos:7|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:6|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
!NoteWorthyComposerClip-End

Re: Slanting Beams

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Peter Edwards –
Thunderous silence :(

On the same subject, why are these pairs treated differently – they should both slope as with the second pair.
Code: (nwc) [Select · Download]
!NoteWorthyComposerClip(2.75,Single)
|Clef|Type:Treble
|Key|Signature:C|Tonic:C
|TimeSig|Signature:2/4
|Note|Dur:8th,Dotted|Pos:8|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:7|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
|Note|Dur:8th,Dotted|Pos:7|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=First
|Note|Dur:16th|Pos:6|Opts:Stem=Down,Beam=End
!NoteWorthyComposerClip-End
The first pair is not sloping because the beam is anchored to the center staff line. If you move all 4 notes to higher pitches, you will see this effect more clearly.

Re: Slanting Beams

Reply #3 –
Fair enough – I should have experimented a bit more before posting!

But I'd appreciate comments on the two points in my first post.
  • Why doesn't the beam slope?
  • Please can we have the proper spacing between beams, especially with three or more?

Re: Slanting Beams

Reply #4 –

First pair:  Mike is right; also:
  • Slope occurs if the stem lengths are changed.
  • Slope will not happen if the notes are force-changed to stem up.
I'd call this a bug. 

The "sweet spot" where the slope does not take place appears to be the second leger line above OR below the staff, and the space between the second and first leger lines above or below the staff.