Finale Forum

I suggest Finale adds a plug-in that colours notes red while entering if they go outside the "normal" range of the instrument.

It should not correct anything for you but suggest you're about to burst the limits.

It should either be set by default with the option to turn it off, or it should be an add-on to choose when setting up a new document. Preferably in the Wizard.

There should be options to to define the level of "normal" range, such as elementary, medium, advanced player, or custom if you're writing for a specific player. A very young student might have problems with a certain note in the system, but not the ones above or under.

I think this plug-in would be a great help not only for music teachers, but indeed compsers and arrangers at different levels.

Do you know the plug-in Check Range?

It doesn't constantly monitor the note entry - you have to run the plug-in after you have entered the notes - but it offers the option of choosing the range to compare with the part.

It also offers the option of moving the "out of range" note inside the range (by shifting the note up/down by one or more octaves as needed).

The plug-in is located here:
Plug-In menu > Scoring and Arranging > Check Range...

The plug-in doesn't work exactly as you describe, but it comes pretty close to your description.

Thank you for your quick reply!

Yes, I'm familiar with that plug-in, but it's while entering the notes you need the help - not after. A different colour to the out-of-range notes would be a simpler way to see if you're on the right track. No marking of staves, no extra menu clicking, no automatic correction. Just suggesting a possible change while you're on the road to perfection.