scale exercise

[Mike A]

I would like to create some scale exercises that look basically like this:



I know how to do 9 whole notes in a measure that looks like this (set the time signature to 9/1 then hide it).

But I don't know how to get those two stemless blacked-in noteheads in there (avoid notes in the scale). Also don't know how to draw circles (or boxes would also be fine) around some of the notes (the chord tones).

Thanks for any advice!

[Mike A]

But I don't know how to get those two stemless blacked-in noteheads in there (avoid notes in the scale).

I got that figured out, using the Note Shape Tool.

Still trying to figure this out, though ...

Also don't know how to draw circles (or boxes would also be fine) around some of the notes (the chord tones).

By the way, I want the circles to stay with the notes when transposed.

Thanks!

[Peter Thomsen]

You can add the circle as a shape expression - or as a shape articulation.

See the attached example (Finale 2012 format) where I have used the Expression Tool.

You can use the same shape in a shape articulation (if you prefer the Articulation Tool over the Expression Tool).

[Mike A]

That's excellent! One question ... On yours, the circle moves with the note when I transpose it, as desired. But when I create a circle in the Expression Tool, it doesn't move with the note. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

[John Ruggero]

If you want the circle to move with the notes, I believe you must make it an articulation, which is attached to a note rather than to a beat, like an expression. In older versions of Finale I recall attaching expressions to notes, but I don't think this is possible now.

Sorry for junping in Peter, my post was written before the OP asked his question.

[Mike A]

I think I figured out how Peter made the circle move with the notes as an Expression, but he can correct me if I'm wrong. I think he started by creating a new category of Expression. Then he went into Edit Categories for that category, and selected:
- Justification: Center
- Horizontal Alignment: Center of Primary Notehead
- Vertical Alignment: Top Note
Is that it?

[John Ruggero]

If that works, it is very clever, and I just learned something very valuable. I have often wanted to make an expression note-attached.

[miker]

John,

It works perfectly. It even moves with the note.

A tip of the hat to Peter and Mike A!

I can also see that as a setup for parentheses.

[David Ward]

As I've hitherto been wont to say on the about to become defunct MM forum: ‘It's wonderful what one can learn here!’

[Mike A]

It works perfectly. It even moves with the note.
...
I can also see that as a setup for parentheses.

I was thinking about parentheses and other text too. But for some reason, when I take Peter's file and create new Expressions within that same Notehead Circle category that he created, they don't seem to stay with the note vertically when transposed (even though, under Positioning, I have checked "Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning"). I think Peter must have done some additional magic with the circles, because they stay right with the notes.

[Peter Thomsen]

… for some reason, when I take Peter's file and create new Expressions within that same Notehead Circle category that he created, they don't seem to stay with the note vertically when transposed (even though, under Positioning, I have checked "Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning"). I think Peter must have done some additional magic with the circles, because they stay right with the notes.

To find the culprit I think that we need to see an actual Finale document.

I suggest that you attach a (small) Finale sample document here.

This forum does not accept attachments with the Finale file name extension.

Before you can attach a Finale 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.

[Mike A]

Peter, it's just your document, the one you posted above.

[Peter Thomsen]

… when I take Peter's file and create new Expressions within that same Notehead Circle category that he created, they don't seem to stay with the note vertically when transposed (even though, under Positioning, I have checked "Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning" …

Peter, it's just your document, the one you posted above.

Then attach the document here - with an added example of a new expression you have created “within that same Notehead Circle category”.

To find the culprit we need to examine the new expression you have created.

[Mike A]

Attached.

[Peter Thomsen]

Go to
Document menu > Category Designer > Notehead Circle
Note the positioning settings:
Justification: Center
Horizontal Alignment: Center of Primary Notehead
Vertical Alignment: Top Note

The attached screen shot shows that your expression has its positioning settings wrong:

ExpressionDesigner.jpg (98.91 KiB) Viewed 7467 times

Note the greyed out settings in the red rectangle:
Justification: Left
Horizontal Alignment: Horizontal Click Position
Vertical Alignment: Vertical Click Position

Fix:
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” to de-select it.
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” again to select it.
Now you will see that the positioning settings are correct - and the expression will move up/down with the note.

[Mike A]

Fix:
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” to de-select it.
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” again to select it.
Now you will see that the positioning settings are correct - and the expression will move up/down with the note.

Ah, I see. Thanks. Strange that you have to de-select and re-select the box just to tell Finale that what you want is what was selected in the first place!

[zuill]

Fix:
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” to de-select it.
Click on “Use Notehead Circle Category Positioning” again to select it.
Now you will see that the positioning settings are correct - and the expression will move up/down with the note.

Ah, I see. Thanks. Strange that you have to de-select and re-select the box just to tell Finale that what you want is what was selected in the first place!

Another way is to use the Reset to Category button at the bottom of the Expression Selection window. Choose the Positioning option.

Zuill