Being still somewhat new to Finale, I have a couple of questions:If I import an Encore file into Finale, can I change the imported font to jazz font? (I am using Finale 2003, by the way.)
And secondly, I write primarily big band charts. So therefore I am writing for a trap set within the rhythm section. I hate writing those drum set parts because it takes forever, constantly having to do a number of things to get the part to look right.
Perhaps I am going about it the hard way, but here's how I do it: I first enter the snare notes (if any) into the first layer, then the bass drum notes into the second layer. I of course want the snare stems pointing upward, and the bass drum stems pointint down.
In order to do this, I select show active layer only, then the mass mover tool, to utilities, and make all stems point up/down, depending on if it's the snare or bass drum layer I am working on.
Then, if I am writing a ride cymbal figure, I place those notes on the top line, and then with the special tools menu, I change the noteheads to "x"'s, and then have to change the stems to point up, with the same procedure as the snare notes. Then I repeat this whole process with the hi-hat cymbal notes, which I place on the second line of the staff.
I use this same procedure for tom-tom notes, and place it on whatever line I find appopriate, for either the floor tom or the mounted toms.
So this whole procedure takes a up a lot of time. I can write 2 pages of horn parts in the time it takes me to write 8 bars of drum set! Is there a quicker way to accomplish all of this?
And how do I choose a diamond shaped notehead for say, a half note? If I use the special tools selection to change the notehead shapes, the diamond noteheads it offers to choose from are not in preportion to the stems, either too small or too large, and if I increase or decrease the notehead size, it also changes the size of the stem, so that the stem and notehead are never in preportion to each other.
Is there a way to get the right noteheads assigned for each line/space of the drum staff, without having to manually change the noteheads each time I notate something?
I am not sure how to use the percussion templates, as I don't know how to load them into a big band score page. And how do I make the templates work when I enter notes into the drum staff?
These are a lot of questions, I know, and in trying to read the manual, it only gets more confusing for me. If anyone can explain to me, step by step in very simple language, I will be happy to copy a chart for you, completely free of charge, in exchange for your most valuable help!
Thanks in advance,
Alan
