Quote from RoughTrader:
when I was starting to learn this method, and code my auto-tapes, one of my errors was assuming that a point 3 channel had to have an up-down-up tape sequence, or the inverse. I then started noticing that it is in fact more subtle than this. What I found is that not the *sign* of the slope, but rather, the relative magnitude of the slope of each tape matters.
For example, an upward pt. 3 channel could very well have an up-down-up tape sequence. But a complete change in sentiment is not required. We can have stalls or pauses in sentiment, meaning the market knows where it wants to go, but needs to spend a few bars gathering more strength to get on its way.
In this way, our non-dominant traverses could be flat, or even in the same direction as our dominant traverses! In other words, we could easily have an up-flat-up sequence, or even an up-less up but still positive-up sequence to complete the channel. (see attachment).
I think when some people see a progression of bars that make higher highs and higher lows (or inverse), they reach the conclusion that the bars are just one long tape. However, whenever there is the 3-step change in the PACE of the progression, the volume confirms with the appropriate gaussian formation.
Some upward pt. 3 channels never have zero pace or pace that opposes the direction of the dominant traverses. A lot of these channels look very slim, and can be easily be mistaken for tapes. But if one adheres strictly to the level of resolution one has chosen to operate on (extremely critical IMO), then one must be careful not to mix tapes with channels and vice versa.
RT