Finale Forum

....create an accelerando lasting 19 quarters, from q=94 to q=106. I can't seem to make it happen. ??

1) Layout or playback?

2) Please specify the steps you've already taken, so that we can rule out things.

Also, please give your thread a more descriptive title!

playback. I followed directions in the manual and created a shape with playback ratios, etc. I have had acceleration, but have been unable to control it's length and rate. And in all cases I've tried though, the tempo slows abruptly at the start of the last eight quarters and stays steady at that slower tempo. So two problems here I think.

I think that we need to see a (small) Finale .mus sample document that shows the problem.
Otherwise we can only guess.

Before you can attach a .mus document in this forum, you must compress it, e. g. as a .zip file.
And the file size must not be more than max. 100 KB.

How can I do that without sending the entire score?

To reduce the size you can
- delete the measures before and after the accelerando,
- delete notes you do not need,
- delete text blocks,
- delete lyrics,
- delete smart shapes,
- delete graphics,
- delete items in dialog boxes like Articulation Selection and Chord Suffix Selection.

In order to find out what you are doing wrong, we just need to examine how you have set up the accelerando.

Thank you.

I took at your accelerando expression, and I found 3 steps that needed to be done.
After these 3 steps were done, the accelerando played back correctly for me:

1) In the dialog box Rulers and Grid, click the radio button “Eighth Notes”.
2) In the Shape Designer, the line should go from (0 , 0) to (4 , 4).
3) In the Executable Shape Designer the Time Scale should be 19 : 2, and
the Level Scale should be 3 : 1.
I hope that this is clear?
If you have any questions, let me know.

I didn't work on your doc, but in a test, I did it by creating an expression, q=96 at the beginning, another q=104 at the end point, and attached an accel. to the note AFTER the 96.

Thank you. It works. What I don't understand is how you arrived at the formula, i.e. the "ratios" I'll still be at a loss when the parameters change at the next fall or accel. But thank you very much!

maxxzz wrote:…What I don't understand is how you arrived at the formula, i.e. the "ratios" I'll still be at a loss when the parameters change at the next fall or accel…

The example shape is drawn for a duration of 4 Eighth Notes (= a half note), and a tempo increase of 4 beats per minute.

However, the accelerando should last 19 quarters, hence the ratio of 19 : 2.
If you multiply a half by 19, and divide by 2, you get 19 quarters.

The tempo should increase from 94 to 106.
That is an increase of 12 beats per minute, hence the ratio of 3 : 1.

Geddit?

I DO! I geddit! Thank you sir.

2 more questions...

1. can a ratio number be fractional (decimal)? Let's say the increase in tempo was 14 bpm, the ratio would be 3.5:1?

2. in the case of a rallentando would the numbers simply be reversed, i.e. 1:3?

Thanks again. I thought I had it.....

maxxzz wrote:…1. can a ratio number be fractional (decimal)? Let's say the increase in tempo was 14 bpm, the ratio would be 3.5:1?…

I do not know.

I would just type the ratio 7:2.

But do not be afraid to try 3.5:1 - doing so will not damage the computer.


By The Way:
I know for sure that
- you can use decimals in time signatures.
- you can not use decimals in the Point size of fonts.

maxxzz wrote:…2. in the case of a rallentando would the numbers simply be reversed, i.e. 1:3?…

To get a rallentando I would use a shape that points downwards, like a back slash.

Reverting the number order will give a different accelerando.
Following your logic the ratio for a rallentando should be a negative number, like e. g. -3:1 (rather than 1:3).
I do not know whether a negative number would work.

But do not be afraid to try a negative number - doing so will not damage the computer.

of course. that makes sense. Now I have a new question. There are MANY slanted lines to choose from. Why are there so many? It seems easier to just create a new one as you go along.

I have wondered about that myself.

Generally I do not use the Default Document.

Instead I create a template - from a Document Without Libraries.
I set up the template as needed, with the settings and libraries I need (and I do not have all those MANY slanted lines in the template).

I can't get accel to playback either, even after creating a new shape, which I shouldn't have to do in the first place. Furthermore, I have created the shape before with success using the same steps. I can't stand the inconsistency with finale playback.

I have found the shapes a clunky way to do this. I use the MIDI Tool and hardwire the data.

Zuill

Hi everyone, I've been using Finale since early 2000's, and have generally found everything I needed, but now I am wanting to get deeper into the functions of the program. For accelerando's, I have typically used the tempo tap, which gives me fluctuations (and frustrations). I'm now trying to find a more gradual way of doing this.

I have followed the advice here in creating an accelerando expression. I've got the Rulers and Grid to 1 dot per 8th note. In 4/4 time, it is supposed to go for 13 measures (52 quarters), and from quarter=140 going up to 210 (I believe a 2:1 ratio).

My Problem is:
It only lasts for 3 measures and reverts back to the previous tempo. What have I done wrong? Images of the dialogue boxes attached. And a sample of the music is below.

Thanks in advance!

Here's a sample of my file, if this helps...