Compact Notation for Tuplets
Compact Notation for Tuplets, or CNfT for short, is a form of notation for tuplets, as the name suggests. It was derived from the Stromian Tuplet Notation, so it has many similarities, but it also differs from STN in certain areas.
CNfT was developed by TBM, with help from the community.
Interpretation
The way to interpret CNfT notation is as a ratio of speed compared to non-tuplet notes. For example, a triplet would be 3:2, so you would play the notes inside as if the tuplet didn't exist and the tempo was 3/2 times faster.
Normal tuplets
Tuplets can simply be notated as a ratio, such as 3:2 for triplets, 5:4 for quintuplets, and 22:16 for duovigintuplets.
The contents of these tuplets can be notated as 3[contents of the tuplet]:2. The contents of the tuplets must add up to the numerator, so 3[1+1]:2 wouldn't work since a triplet is missing.
Nested tuplets
Nested tuplets, are tuplets inside of other tuplets.
They would be notated as such:
The outside tuplet, the nest tuplet, would wrap around the inside tuplet, the nested tuplet.
So let's say there is a triplet in another triplet. We would start with a triplet with open contents,
3[ ]:2
and we put the triplet inside.
3[3:2 ]:2
We're missing a triplet, so let's add 1 in the contents of the nest tuplet.
3[3:2+1]:2
There you go!
Non-dyadic tuplets/Incomplete tuplets
Now this is where it gets weird. Imagine a triplet, with only 2 notes. it might sound confusing, but remember, the ratio is the ratio of speed from inside the tuplet to outside the tuplet. So, 2 triplets would be 2 notes at 3/2 times the speed.
We would notate that as 2@3:2, where the ratio of speed is clearly marked, as well as the amount of notes.
The contents can be notated as normal. So it would be written as 2@3[contents of the tuplet]:2. In this case, the contents of the tuplet need to add up to the number inside the parentheses, so 2@3[2+1]:2 wouldn't work since there is a triplet too much.
Bridge tuplets
Now it gets REALLY weird.
A bridge tuplet is a tuplet that bridges between 2 or more tuplets.
Here is how to notate the bridge tuplet above.
Start with the first tuplet, with contents open.
7[ ]:6
Then, put the 5 notes before the bridge tuplet.
7[5 ]:6
Now we start making the bridge tuplet. We first write the numerator of the ratio of the bridge tuplet, with an open parentheses,
7[5+5:( ]:6
then in the denominator, we put the notes needed to make the bridge tuplet. In this case, that would be 7(2):6 and 5(2):6. Right now, we are still in the septuplet, so we put 2 in the denominator from 7(2):6.
7[5+5:(2]:6
We are done with the septuplet, now we move on to the quintuplet. Yes, right now the notation looks weird, but trust me. Add in the quintuplet, with open contents.
7[5+5:(2]:6+5[ ]:6
In the contents of the quintuplet, we will add 2 from the bridge tuplet from 5(2):6 as mentioned earlier,
7[5+5:(2]:6+5[2 ]:6
and now, since the bridge tuplet ended, we can close the parentheses.
7[5+5:(2]:6+5[2) ]:6
Finally, we add the 3 remaining notes in the quintuplet.
7[5+5:(2]:6+5[2)+3]:6
And that is how you make a bridge tuplet in CNfT.
Limitations
Currently no known limitations.