Add interval ignores accidentals
I found an inconsistency in the behavior of note input. It can lead to unexpected results.
- In note input mode, type e to insert an E, then down arrow to modify it to an E-flat.
- Type e again. It inserts another E-flat. That is sensible behavior. It's most likely what you want, and making you keep pressing down arrow to modify each note would be more work.
- Now add a chord by typing c then option-3. I would expect the chord to consist of C and E-flat, but instead it adds an E natural. The commands to add intervals don't pay attention to preceding accidentals the way the commands to insert individual notes do.
Comments
You can use shift+E to add E flat to your C
Since you described using Option+3, I assume you're on a Mac. (Good idea to specify that in your original post.) What are you expecting Option+3 to do?
I thought that the Option key was the Mac equivalent of Alt. If so, I would expect it to add a third above, not below. The default shortcuts in Windows for Add / Interval are Alt+... for up and none for down.
That said, yes, it appears that the Add / Interval options all add diatonic intervals, not any specific chromatic interval. If you enter bbD, bD, natD, #D, or xD, then use the menu or the shortcut to Add / Interval and choose the third up it gives you a natG. If you choose the third down, it gives you a natB. I assume that this is because there are at least four potential chromatic thirds: diminished, minor, major, and augmented and the software has no way of knowing which you want.
In reply to Since you described using… by TheHutch
> What are you expecting Option+3 to do?
To add a third above, which is what it does. The point is that the behavior is inconsistent with the other commands. The commands to add notes by name (press e) take into account previous accidentals in the measure. The commands to add notes by interval (option-3 to add a third above the C) ignore previous accidentals.
In reply to > What are you expecting… by peastman
Yes, I see. That was not a situation I tested earlier. It adds the natural third regardless of previous notes of the same letter in the measure. I agree that's not what I would have expected either.
I would call that a bug that needs to be reported. Any other opinions?
;-]