Quintuplet, a correct one?

[Mr_Incognito]

Elaine Gould doesn't take sides when it comes to the differences of notating tuplets in compound and simple meters. She states that one just needs to be consistent. I personally prefer to always 'overfill', the way it is in simple meter. Due to the fact that the music of today is full of meter changes, the differentiation that used to be suitable in the era when whole pieces used to be in a single meter is actually making the picture less clear now.

[Magnus Johansson]

It is important in this discussion to be aware of the fact that it is not about simple and compound meters but about so-called simple and compound note or time values.

[Mr_Incognito]

It is important in this discussion to be aware of the fact that it is not about simple and compound meters but about so-called simple and compound note or time values.

Well, certain time values typically occur within certain meters

[Magnus Johansson]

It is important in this discussion to be aware of the fact that it is not about simple and compound meters but about so-called simple and compound note or time values.

Well, certain time values typically occur within certain meters

Do you mean that compound time values are typical for compound meters?

[Mr_Incognito]

It is important in this discussion to be aware of the fact that it is not about simple and compound meters but about so-called simple and compound note or time values.

Well, certain time values typically occur within certain meters

Do you mean that compound time values are typical for compound meters?

Not necessarily

[Magnus Johansson]

As I stated above, I believe that

A) in simple time, tuplets increase the regular value until the next regular value is reached.

B) In compound time, tuplets reduce the regular value until the next regular value is reached.

As you pointed out, it is not always a matter of "surplus," but sometimes also of "deficit."

ScreenShot 2026-06-20 at 20.19.55.png

Yes, this is the traditional way of doing it.

I don't think it can be called the traditional way, and even Eric Taylor says: "[...] although in practice composers often use it only for duplets, all other irregular groups being written in System B.".

[Mr_Incognito]

As I stated above, I believe that

A) in simple time, tuplets increase the regular value until the next regular value is reached.

B) In compound time, tuplets reduce the regular value until the next regular value is reached.

As you pointed out, it is not always a matter of "surplus," but sometimes also of "deficit."

ScreenShot 2026-06-20 at 20.19.55.png

Yes, this is the traditional way of doing it.

I don't think it can be called the traditional way, and even Eric Taylor says: "[...] although in practice composers often use it only for duplets, all other irregular groups being written in System B.".

Eric Taylor refers to the current practice.

[OCTO]

A long time ago, about 20 years ago or so, I taught music theory in high school, and we used these Taylor-books.  I clearly remember using the reduction method for compound time signatures and beats.
Since there doesn't seem to be an exact, clear rule for these irregular tuplets, I'll stick with the reduction method.  But, as Taylor and Gould say, "do not mix the methods."

[Magnus Johansson]

Yes, this is the traditional way of doing it.

I don't think it can be called the traditional way, and even Eric Taylor says: "[...] although in practice composers often use it only for duplets, all other irregular groups being written in System B.".

Eric Taylor refers to the current practice.

Can you give some historic examples of System A in use for other than duplets?

[Magnus Johansson]

A long time ago, about 20 years ago or so, I taught music theory in high school, and we used these Taylor-books.  I clearly remember using the reduction method for compound time signatures and beats.
Since there doesn't seem to be an exact, clear rule for these irregular tuplets, I'll stick with the reduction method.  But, as Taylor and Gould say, "do not mix the methods."

What do you mean with "compound time signatures"? Taylor talks about compound time values, i.e. note values.