Ties

A tie is a curved line that joins two notes of the same pitch. When multiple, adjacent notes are joined with a sequence of ties, that is known as a tie chain.

Each sequence of tie chains, whether they join two notes together or ten notes together, represents a single note with the duration of all the tied notes combined. A performer plays the notes as one note, without re-striking, re-blowing, or re-bowing the note at any point within the rhythmic duration of the tie chain.

Figure: A tie chain across several bars on the bottom piano staff

In Dorico Elements, most ties are created automatically. Rhythms are notated according to the prevailing beat grouping, which is normally set by the time signature. Therefore, notes that cannot be notated using a single duration are automatically drawn as separate tied notes.