Effects of Tying

Consider this example: a note is played in one part, and then it is immediately repeated in the same part (green highlights) or in an adjacent part (common tone--brown highlights). You are faced with this choice: do you repeat the note as written, or do you tie?

To REPEAT the note as written:

• contributes "vertically" towards RHYTHM and pulse.
• DEFINES THE PULSE at the second note.
• may also contribute towards an ACCENT on the second note.

To TIE the two notes (that is, not to repeat):

• contributes "horizontally" towards FLOW and continuity.
• does not even define the pulse at the second note. So, if the pulse is to be defined, it must be done by one or more of the other parts.