Editing Diminution (section)

== Diminution of note values ==

In [[mensural notation]], diminution of the duration of note shapes is the most common function of [[Diatonic and chromatic#Medieval coloration|coloration]]. Diminution is most often by one-third of the note-value, so that three colored notes fit into the time of two uncolored notes of the same shape; it is thus often found in notation of [[Tuplet|triplet]] or [[hemiola]] figures.{{r|bowers|color}}

Diminution may also be achieved by a sign of proportion. Thus a sign such as {{music|time| 3| 2}} is in proportional notation not a modern [[time signature]], but a proportional signature indicating  ''diminutio sesquialtera'', that is, that after the sign each three notes of the basic note value ''[[integer valor]]'' occupy the time of two such notes elsewhere in the piece, either previously in the same voice, or simultaneously in another voice.<ref name=bowers/>