Add dotted line to expression

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gogreen
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Post by gogreen » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:29 pm

I have a molto rall. indication spanning several measures to a tempo indication of quarter note = 30. What's the best way to add a dotted line to "molto rall." to the tempo mark so that the line breaks at the end of a system where necessary in the parts? This question concerns both notation practice and Finale technique. Thanks.Image
Art
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miker
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Post by miker » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:45 pm

(Disclaimer: I don't use parts!)

Art,

If I draw a dotted line in scroll view, it breaks at the system in page view. Do parts work differently? I know you asked about adding the line as part of an expression, but couldn't you use the line tool, instead? You could even create a custom line, with the molto rall. at the beginning.
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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Sat Dec 31, 2016 3:06 pm

Hi Arthur,

I would consider using the Smart Shape Tool’s sub-tool Custom Line Tool.

With the Custom Line Tool you can create a smart shape that includes both the initial text (= molto rall.) and the dotted line - in the same smart shape.
It will break correctly across system breaks, both in score and linked parts.

By The Way:
In this case, are you engraving someone elses’s work that you are not allowed to alter?
I would -
1) use a dashed line rather than a dotted line - easier to sight-read,
2) write assài rall. instead of molto rall. - not that it matters much since most musicians do not know italian very well,
(assài is an adverb, molto is an adjective).
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gogreen
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Post by gogreen » Sat Dec 31, 2016 4:56 pm

Thanks, Mike and Peter. I'll give these ideas a try. As I recall, and my recollection of this item is foggy at best, the smart shape line didn't break correctly for me at the end of a line in the parts, but that was in previous Finale versions, so I'll see how this works in 25.2.
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Post by gogreen » Sun Jan 01, 2017 2:19 pm

I created an "assai rall." with a dashed line. That works perfectly and splits correctly in the parts between lines. Thanks again, Mike and Peter. 8)

And happy new year to all!
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Post by gogreen » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:25 pm

I'm the OP, so I don't think I'm hijacking my own thread. Nevertheless, I do have some additional notation questions now that I've solved the mechanics of adding an indication with a dashed line. The score in which I had this problem was a brass quintet. Does each staff in the score require the indication with a dashed line? Or can this work as expressions, with only the top staff getting the expression but having it appear in all the parts? Is there no set "rule" on this indication, and would the notation depend mainly on keeping an uncluttered look to the score?
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Michel R E
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Post by Michel R E » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:32 pm

The indication should only appear above the top staff in the score (I usually just add the smartshapes and hide them), but obviously they should be present in each part.
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Post by zuill » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:42 pm

gogreen wrote:I'm the OP, so I don't think I'm hijacking my own thread. Nevertheless, I do have some additional notation questions now that I've solved the mechanics of adding an indication with a dashed line. The score in which I had this problem was a brass quintet. Does each staff in the score require the indication with a dashed line? Or can this work as expressions, with only the top staff getting the expression but having it appear in all the parts? Is there no set "rule" on this indication, and would the notation depend mainly on keeping an uncluttered look to the score?
If you want to keep the dashed line as a Smart Shape, you can enter it in the part for proper positioning, then go back to the Score, unlink it, then hide it in the Score.

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gogreen
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Post by gogreen » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:06 pm

If you want to keep the dashed line as a Smart Shape, you can enter it in the part for proper positioning, then go back to the Score, unlink it, then hide it in the Score.
Thank you, Zuill. I was wondering, though, if there's a standard practice for this notation--keep it in all the parts in the score or just on the top line (but in all the parts, of course). I didn't see anything on this in Gardner Read (which doesn't mean it's not there).
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Post by Michel R E » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:07 pm

gogreen wrote:Thank you, Zuill. I was wondering, though, if there's a standard practice for this notation--keep it in all the parts in the score or just on the top line (but in all the parts, of course). I didn't see anything on this in Gardner Read (which doesn't mean it's not there).
I answered that question just one post before Zuill's.
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zuill
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Post by zuill » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:15 pm

Michel R E wrote:
gogreen wrote:Thank you, Zuill. I was wondering, though, if there's a standard practice for this notation--keep it in all the parts in the score or just on the top line (but in all the parts, of course). I didn't see anything on this in Gardner Read (which doesn't mean it's not there).
I answered that question just one post before Zuill's.
I see that now. I think I just gave a bit more detail. Adding them first in the part is easier than in the score as, in the score, you don't see the other 2 items that the line connects. Also, the spacing and placement most likely will be different in the part.

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gogreen
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Post by gogreen » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:54 pm

I answered that question just one post before Zuill's.
Sorry, Michel. I didn't see your post. Thanks for that clarification.

Thanks, Zuill.
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Post by Michel R E » Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:07 pm

gogreen wrote:
I answered that question just one post before Zuill's.
Sorry, Michel. I didn't see your post. Thanks for that clarification.

Thanks, Zuill.
No problem, just thought I'd mention it before someone else put in the time to rewrite the same information.
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