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I am notating my bongos in 4/4. If you look at the last two bars, they are the same rhythm but notated differently.
Can you tell me if the 3rd or 4th bar would be the most correct way to notate the rhythm? (It seems silly using a tie there, but maybe it should be notated like this.)
The basic rule is not to write a note which "crosses" the mid point of a bar in 4/4. Either of your bars 3 and 4 are OK, and 3 is usually easier to read.
One exception to the "don't cross the mid point" rule is if the whole bar is syncopated, like the last bar in the example below.
The 'rule' about not crossing the centre of 4/4 time is an old one, but a good one nevertheless. It makes reading easier - which after all is what writing music out should be about.
Personally, i'm happier reading things like this with ties, where it can be seen simply that there's syncopation.
However - since the sound of drums generally don't have any or a lot of sustain, another option would be to write in a rest instead of the second tied quaver. If hands are used alternating, then that would show not to play with whichever on the 4, but after on the & of 4.
Both are correct, but the 3rd bar looks more tidy and natural.
