Fermata, time stretch, dissimilar notes w/ fermata Q:
In measure 16, all instruments have a fermata. Initially, I wanted the (soloing) euphonium to have only an 1/8th note in that measure. Still, I gave it a fermata. On playback, it seemed as if all fermatas had no impact on momentarily slowing the beat. So I applied a time stretch of 2.5, then increased that to 3.0 for all fermatas.
Still no obvious slowing as I expected. So I tried changing the euphonium's 1/8th note to quarter, then to half note (matching all other notes in measure 16). Only having all 1/2 notes seems to exhibit the affect of the fermatas.
I'd rather have the euphonium's measure 16 note be an 1/8th. Does one short note amongst all others being longer nullify the fermata effect? Thanks.
| Attachment | Size |
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| euphonium_mini_concerto_alt_direction1.mscz | 46.82 KB |
Comments
Yes, this seems to be a bug, but I'm not sure what music theory applies to the fermata. But the fermata already has an effect in your sheet.
A workaround, perhaps it will match what you expect:
Set the fermata stretch factor back to 1.
Select the tempo text 80 and remove the check mark "Follow text" in the inspector. There, set the manual tempo value to 28 = 80/3 (for fermata stretch factor 3).
Add a new tempo setting with tempo 80 in measure 17 and make it invisible."Follow text" should be activated to have the further measures with tempo 80.
A fermata by itself (no time stretch) will have no effect on playback.
Adjust the time stretch for one fermata only. I did the flute part. Leave all the others at 1.00. Don't put one on the solo part. All the other parts will play as long as the flute. The solo part will be a tad longer than 1/8. But for playback of all the parts, I don't think it will be heard.
I don't think it's a bug. Just the way the software seems to work.
In reply to A fermata by itself (no time… by bobjp
Much appreciated HildeK & bobjp... For anybody who finds a similar situation, we have 2 ways to make the playback sound as the score intends.
In reply to A fermata by itself (no time… by bobjp
I'm sorry, but I can't hear a difference between your suggestion (time stretch only on the flute) and time stretch on all fermatas. In my opinion, nevertheless, the 1/8 note of the euphonium is too long or the others are too short. Even if the fermata of only one staff is defined with a stretch factor, all others use it as well.
It is a clear difference from my suggestion, where the speed of this single bar is reduced by the stretch factor.
As I said, I'm not that familiar with how a musician would have to interpret this.
In reply to I'm sorry, but I can't hear… by HildeK
I post compositions with the idea somebody may see, hear, then decide they want to perform what I write. That may be considerably optimistic - especially for larger ensembles. Still, I think of the audio realization to be important enough to chase for accuracy to the notation. If I can't get what I want with only (what I believe is) correct notation, inside MS, then I can always use hidden tempo marks (and etc.) to align the audio with the score. And I'm always willing to listen to a MS developer who is a master of notation... to weigh in here.
In reply to I'm sorry, but I can't hear… by HildeK
@Hildek. Correct. in playback there is no difference between time stretch on one fermata and time stretch on all of them. In fact for playback only, you only need a fermata with time stretch on one part. No fermatas at all on the rest of the parts. It works just the same. But this score is for real musicians, so the fermatas need to be there. And, yes the solo note is too long, but it is what the OP wants for printout.
I come at this from a different angle because I only care about playback. So I don't have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get what I want.
Of course your way makes both goals work.