notes inegales

Unequal notes: a French Baroque performance convention in which pairs of equal written notes are performed with a long-short inequality, creating a lilting rhythmic sway. Applied to certain stepwise passages in moderate tempos. Many of Rameaus dance movements traditionally receive this treatment.

Apply inequality to stepwise quaver and semiquaver passages in moderate tempos; wider intervals and very fast passages are typically played evenly. The degree of inequality depends on the character: lively dances take sharper inequality than tender or expressive pieces.