Mini-Notation Basics

Mini-notation is a compact syntax for describing musical patterns, inspired by TidalCycles and Strudel.

Pitch Tokens

Specify notes with letter name and octave:

// Single notes
pat("c4")           // Middle C
pat("f#3")          // F sharp, octave 3
pat("Bb5")          // B flat, octave 5

Sequences

Space-separated notes play in sequence over one cycle:

// Four notes per cycle
pat("c4 e4 g4 c5") |> ((f) -> osc("sin", f) * ar(trigger(4))) |> out(%, %)

Rests

Use ~ or _ for silence:

// Rest on beat 3
pat("c4 e4 ~ g4")

Chords

Use the chord() function with standard chord symbols:

// Major chord
chord("C")      // C major triad

// Minor seventh
chord("Am7")    // A minor seventh

// Chord progression
chord("Am C Dm G")  // One chord per beat

// Available chord qualities:
// m (minor), maj, 7, maj7, m7, dim, aug, sus2, sus4

Inline Chords

Play multiple notes simultaneously with square brackets:

// C major as inline chord
pat("[c4 e4 g4]")

Grouping

Use square brackets to subdivide time:

// Second beat subdivided
pat("c4 [e4 f4] g4 c5")

Polyrhythms

Comma separates parallel patterns:

// 3 against 4
pat("c4 e4 g4, c3 g3 c3 g3")

Modifiers

Modifiers change how pattern elements are played. Important: Modifiers must be inside the pattern string.

Speed (*n)

Repeat an element n times in its time slot:

// Repeat c4 four times (fits 4 notes in 1 slot)
pat("c4*4 e4")

// Speed up a group
pat("[c4 e4]*2 g4")  // [c4 e4 c4 e4] in first half

Slow (/n)

Stretch an element to span n times its normal duration:

// Stretch pattern to 2 cycles
pat("[c4 e4 g4 b4]/2")  // Events at beats 0, 2, 4, 6

// Slow down individual note
pat("c4/2 e4 g4")

Repeat (!n)

Replicate an element n times (extends the sequence):

// a!2 b = a a b (3 elements, each takes 1/3 of time)
pat("c4!2 e4")  // c4 appears twice, then e4

// Compare with speed (*n) which compresses:
// a*2 b = [a a] b (2 elements, first has 2 notes in half the time)
pat("c4*2 e4")  // c4 plays twice quickly, then e4

Chance (?n)

Set probability (0-1) of the element playing:

// 50% chance each note plays
pat("c4?0.5 e4?0.5 g4?0.5")

Weight/Elongation (@n)

Adjust temporal weight (how much time an element takes relative to siblings):

// First note takes twice as much time
pat("c4@2 e4 g4")  // c4: 50%, e4: 25%, g4: 25%

// Create uneven rhythms
pat("bd@3 sn")    // bd: 75%, sn: 25%

Alternation

Use angle brackets for elements that alternate each cycle:

// Plays c4 on cycle 1, e4 on cycle 2, g4 on cycle 3, then repeats
pat("<c4 e4 g4>")

// Alternate between groups
pat("<[c4 e4] [g4 b4]>")

Modifier Placement

Critical: Pattern modifiers must be inside the pattern string:

// CORRECT: modifier inside string
pat("[bd sn]/2")   // Pattern plays over 2 cycles

// WRONG: modifier outside string
pat("bd sn")/2     // This divides the SIGNAL by 2, not the pattern!

Pattern Functions

pat()

Basic pattern playback:

pat("c4 e4 g4") |> ((f) -> osc("sin", f)) |> out(%, %)

Practical Examples

// Simple melody
pat("c4 e4 g4 e4") |> ((f) ->
    osc("saw", f) |> lp(%, 1500) * ar(trigger(4))
) |> out(%, %)

// Chord progression
chord("C Em Am G") |> ((f) ->
    osc("saw", f) |> lp(%, 800) * ar(trigger(1), 0.1, 0.5)
) |> out(%, %)

// Rhythmic pattern with rests
pat("c4 ~ e4 ~ g4 ~ e4 ~") |> ((f) ->
    osc("tri", f) * ar(trigger(8), 0.01, 0.1)
) |> out(%, %)

Related: Sequencing, Closures