Expression tool gone WACK-O

[BugleMe]

I am running Finale 2014.5 on a Mac. I have made an orchestral score of Stravinsky's 1910 Firebird Ballet for the 3 onstage and 3 offstage trumpets, 1,294 measures in all and lots of expressions entered. Here's why I'm writing. At rehearsal mark 43, I entered expression Vivo quarter = 144, but in the parts it places an earlier Vivo marking from rehearsal 7, Vivo half = 88. In the score is the correct Vivo marking at rehearsal 43, but in the Onstage parts at rehearsal 43 is the incorrect marking of Vivo half = 88. Now here's the kicker, the Offstage parts have the correct Vivo marking at rehearsal 43 of Vivo quarter = 144. I just recently finished these parts and during rehearsals discovered this anomaly. I have been using Finale for about 20 years and have never experienced such behavior. Has anyone ever heard of this happening before or possibly shed some light as to what may be going on? Thanks!!!

[motet]

Hard to say without seeing your file. Two expressions applied in the same measure perhaps, each with a different score list? If you delete the incorrect expression at 43 from the onstage parts, does the correct one appear from behind? If the file is corrupt somehow, deleting both expressions (from [7] also) and reapplying them may fix it. But if you can attach your file, someone should be able to figure it out.

[N Grossingink]

Yes, similar problems with phantom expressions have occurred for some users, although this is rare and manifests itself in different ways.

You may have tried this already, but delete the difficult expression from the score, check all the parts to make sure those have been cleared also, and re-enter it in the score. Does that work?

If troubles persist, see if you can post a Finale file - delete all the score pages except the one page where this problem appears.

N.

[BugleMe]

Thanks for the feedback!!! I just deleted the expression from rehearsal 43 and then re-entered it from the expression palate. I checked all the parts and they were as they should be, all the same. Just really odd behavior that makes me think I am now going to have to proof all parts for every little thing from now on, that'll eat up hours.

[N Grossingink]

Just really odd behavior that makes me think I am now going to have to proof all parts for every little thing from now on, that'll eat up hours.

If it makes it any easier, the expressions affected by this usually are only "header" type text - Style Markings, Tempo Markings, Rehearsal Marks, etc. Any expression that has a "Staff List" associated with it. You could make up a "Master Header List" of all those that appear in the score and check the parts against it. Just write them all down on a legal pad.

Professionals do a thorough proofing of each job - they proof everything. It's something that I fear has gotten less important in the digital age. There often is no handwritten manuscript with which to compare the digital Finale file. The Finale file is the manuscript.

N.

[motet]

Weird. When you deleted it at 43, did both versions (88 and 144) disappear? I've never had this happen to me. I wonder why.

[BugleMe]

When I deleted the Vivo quarter = 144 at rehearsal 43 and replaced it with the same to clear the six parts, as far as I know the Vivo half = 88 at rehearsal 7 did not disappear and was unaffected. I checked all six parts at both locations (rehearsal 7 & 43) and all was as it should be. I'm still not sure why this odd behavior happened, but now that I know it's possible, I'll keep one eye open at all times.