A TidalCycles pattern is built in two layers: a mini-notation sequence as source material, then transformations applied to it

In practice a TidalCycles/Strudel pattern starts as a sequence written in the ‘mini-notation’ — a compact string sub-language inside quotes (e.g. “bd sd hh bd”) that specifies the source events and their subdivisions. You then apply pattern transformation functions (rev, jux, iter, off, effects) to that source. So ‘pattern’ means two things at once: a sequence of events AND the chain of transformations reshaping it. Understanding this split — source string vs. functions wrapped around it — is the mental model needed to read any Tidal/Strudel line.

Examples

s("bd sd hh bd") is pure mini-notation source. s("bd sd hh bd").jux(rev).room(0.7) adds two transformation layers (stereo juxtapose-reverse, then reverb) around the same source sequence.

Assessment

Given note("c5").s("folkHarp").jux(rev), identify which part is mini-notation source material and which parts are transformations. Explain what each transformation does to the source.