Repeating the same note

[ciel]

Using Finale 2013 Mac. In Sibelius one could repeat the last note entered by using the R key. Is there a similar function in Finale?
I have a 4/4 measure which includes 8 8th-note C's for instance. Do I have to enter each note or is there a repeating shortcut?
Thanks. Ciel

[Peter Thomsen]

Welcome to the forum!

I do not know of a "repeat last note entered" function in Finale, sorry.

However, you can input music into Finale in seven different ways.
Depending on the music you can always use an entry method that makes note entry very fast.

A few examples:
- Simple Entry with mouse (You probably already know of that)
- Simple Entry with computer keyboard
- Speedy Entry with computer keyboard

With a MIDI keyboard you have even more options.
You can use a MIDI keyboard with Simple Entry, or Speedy Entry, or Hyperscribe.

For your example (eight 8th-note C's) a few fast entry methods:

A. Simple Entry with computer keyboard:
5 (8th Note Tool selected…)
C (…the letter C key, entering the first C…)
C
C
C
(&c.)

B. Speedy Entry with MIDI keyboard:
On the MIDI keyboard, press the note C key, to position the crosshair on C.
5 (entering the first 8th-note…)
5
5
5
(&c.)


By The Way:
For this particular example (eight 8th-note C's), consider abbreviating the notation by using a Tremolo articulation.

[ciel]

Thanks for the info. I don't have a MIDI - but the tip about the tremolo articulation solved half the problem - thanks for that.
The note repeat function in Sibelius is brilliant. Finale should incorporate it.

[miker]

Sorry, but I have to ask: What's so brilliant about it? You still have to tap a key. Where is it any different from the methods that Peter described?

[at8ax]

Gosh, Miker, don't you get it? It's because you tap the R key seven times after the note is entered instead of tapping the 4 key eight times.

On a simultaneously more serious and more frivolous note, you could repeat the eighth note across a measure by entering it once, highlighing it, then using the ctrl-alt method to copy it seven times. Granted, this would actually take longer than entering the other seven notes, but we're not considering that, are we?

[miker]

You could copy the note, and use Paste Multiple, as well. Or is that the Paste Multiple? I never use it.

Ah, well.

[rowild]

Just imagine a chord, like Stockhausens "Klaviestück IX" (I think), which is repeated 128 times... Sibelius' "R" is really awesome and it is a pity Finale does not offer that functionality...

[miker]

Well, if you consider that to be "music", there isn't much I can say. Except that in Finale, I was able to enter a chord once, select it, and paste multiple 128 times with about 3 mouse clicks.

How many times did you have to hit that "R" key?

[rowild]

Wow... such a strange comment on Stockhausen's quality of music...

[miker]

Why? Am I not entitled to my opinions?

A few years back, I was in a museum and saw three pieces of plywood, painted grey, on the wall. It looked like a bad repair, but no, it was "art." Same thing with music.

[rowild]

Well, when you say "if ***you*** consider that music" then you are questioning ***my*** taste, in a very unfriendly manner, and not expressing yours, which is, by the way, not the topic here. Please stay with the topic.