guitar fingering in finale 2008

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arfo
Posts: 51
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Finale Version: Finale 2014
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Post by arfo » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:34 pm

Hi everybody, I'm having a lot difficulties in understanding the best way to insert fingering in a guitar score; I found in the help manual that I should use the articulation tool.. I tried to do that but, if I have a chord, finale puts every note in the same place even if I click on different notes and I have to place each number using handles...
It seems strange to me that there is no other (faster!!) way to do that...

Can anybody help me?

thanx

arfo


arfo
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Post by arfo » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:36 pm

p.s. and waht about string numbers (inside a circle..)?

thanks again

arfo

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:08 pm

A) Fingerings:
Create duplicate versions of the fingering articulations.
Edit the duplicates so that they have different vertical positions.
Assign metatools to the fingerings for fast entry.
An example:
If you need four different vertical positions (four fingering numbers above each other), assign metatools so that the letter Z key positions a finger number '1' at the lowest position, the letter A key positions a finger number '1' at a position 24 EVPUs (= 6 Points = 1 Space) higher (or whatever amount you want), the letter Q key positions a finger number '1' at a position 48 EVPUs higher, and the number 1 key positions a finger number '1' at a position 72 EVPUs higher.

Similarly, assign metatools so that the four different position of a finger number '2' are programmed to the keys X, S, W, and 2.

Similarly, assign metatools so that the four different position of a finger number '3' are programmed to the keys C, D, E, and 3.

&c.


B) Encircled numbers:

1. There are fonts with "number-inside-a-circle" characters, e. g.
Helsinki Special
Opus Special
Wingdings
Wingdings2
Zapf Dingbats
You can attach a such "number-inside-a-circle" character as an articulation or as an expression.

2. You can also create the number as a text expression, and give the text expression a circular enclosure.

3. And you can create the "number-inside-a-circle" in the Shape Designer, and use it as shape expression or as shape articulation.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

kobitz
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:42 pm

arfo wrote:p.s. and waht about string numbers
As for numbers inside the circles, I'm assuming you will be using those for fretboard diagrams.

If you right click on a chord and select "edit fretboard" you will get the Fretboard Editor:

Image

You have numbers there you use to replace the dots to turn something like this:

Image

into something like this:

Image

arfo
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Post by arfo » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:43 pm

Hi Peter,
thank you for answering!
I'll try your solution but it seems to be very complicated (as everything in Finale..).. I guess if there's no other way..

arfo

kobitz
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Post by kobitz » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:01 pm

arfo wrote:best way to insert fingering in a guitar score
I can't attach a .MUS file to this post. The file is here: HERE but you have to register to FinaleGuitar.com to download it. Everything is free. Registering takes a little time but there's a lot of information for a guitar player looking to use Finale.

GuitarTAB

This file has been altered to better notate the various tab symbols and guitar techniques. The appropriate tool and hotkeys are listed below. All original articulations in Finale were duplicated so this file basically creates new articulations and changes hotkeys to make creating TAB parts more efficient.

The default tool is the Articulation tool and the hotkeys are underlined. Any changes are noted next to the articulation.

Treble Clef
  • Fretboard Index - 1
  • Fretboard Middle - 2
  • Fretboard Ring - 3
  • Fretboard Pinky - 4
TAB Staff
  • Downstrum - Image
  • Upstrum - Image
  • Hammer On - H (You can use the Smart Shape tool to create a slur)
  • Pull Off - P
  • Smart Shape Tool looks like this:
  • Image
  • Bend (Smart Shape Tool -> Guitar Bend Tool)
  • Slide (Smart Shape Tool -> Tab Slide Tool)
  • Vibrato (Smart Shape Tool -> Cntrl + Click the "?" -> Select the squiggly line -> ddcl and drag to the end note -> position)
  • Palm Mute a section (Smart Shape Tool -> Cntrl + Click the "?" -> Select Palm Mute -> ddcl on a TAB note -> hold and drag to set length -> position)
  • Palm MutE a single note - pm (apears below the staff)
  • Tap - T
  • Fingerstyle ThumB - p
  • Fingerstyle Index - i
  • Fingerstyle Middle - m
  • Fingerstyle Annular or Ring Finger - a
  • Fingerstyle Pinky - c (hotkey is C)
  • Trill (Smart Shape tool -> trill tool)
  • Tremolo Picking - ?
  • Tremolo Bar - ?
? = nothing worked out yet

Go to http://www.finaleguitar.com/index.php?showtopic=120 to learn about notating harmonics in Finale.

*TIPS*
  • To change tunings (Drop D, for example) right click on "TAB Staff" and select Edit Staff Attributes, next to "Notation Style" hit the SELECT buttion, click on "Edit Instrument", and change the pitch the relevant string(s). For Drop D you would change the pitch on string 6 from 40 to 38 (numbers go by half steps). These instructions work for Finale 2008.
  • Use the fingerstyle symbols (p, i , m, a, and c) in the treble clef to indicate right handed tapping.
Last edited by kobitz on Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

kobitz
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Post by kobitz » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:07 pm

arfo wrote:it seems to be very complicated (as everything in Finale..)
The learning curve is pretty steep! Finale is very customizable and it's tailored to a wide audience of users.

arfo
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Post by arfo » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:21 pm

Hi Kobitz! Thank you very very much for your answers!

I'm writing only music, not tabs or fretboards diagrams, now; so I need fingerings for both right and left hand and strings numbers..

As you say I'm definitely in the steep period of learning! :(
I often found out Sibelius to be much more intuitive than finale is and i'm still trying to understand if I really need Finale..
In Sibelius there are many possibilities to 'customize' commands and symbols too; I searched for fingerings and I reached results much faster than I did with finale.
What's your opinion?

Anyway... I'll subscribe finale forum for guitarists! ;)

Thanks again,

arfo

kobitz
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:16 pm

Interesting... there are a few different ways of writing guitar... what do you want the finished music to look like?

take a look at this:

Image

I think this is closer to what you are looking for. The numbers above the notes are the fretboard fingerings. The p, i, m, a, c below the stave would be the right hand (if you are playing on a right-handed guitar).

You also want a way to notate the string number with the number in the circle, correct? As in High String = 1 and Low String = 6?

Or are you looking for something like this:

Image

Or something like this (we'll call this option C):

Image

Option D:


Image

arfo
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Post by arfo » Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:16 pm

..all began looking for something similar to the 'B option' but I think the ideal would be a B-C-D mix... D is probably my favourite one... ;)

arfo

kobitz
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:27 pm

I understand.

I'm working on it. I'll post my ideas when I'm done. Maybe a half hour.

kobitz
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:50 pm

As I can't attach the file to this post, you will have to download it off of the Finale Guitar website:

http://www.finaleguitar.com/index.php?showtopic=127

Classical Guitar

Image

This file has been altered to better notate the various symbols you'll see in classical guitar music. The appropriate tool and hotkeys are listed below. All original articulations in Finale were duplicated so this file basically creates new articulations and changes hotkeys to make creating treble clef only guitar music easier and more efficient.... (and possible since some of the symbols don't exist in Finale).

The default tool is the Articulation tool and the hotkeys are underlined. Any changes are noted next to the articulation.

All symbols will have to be placed manually. This will allow you the flexibility to place them exactly where you want them to be.

Treble Clef
  • Fretboard Index - 1
  • Fretboard Middle - 2
  • Fretboard Ring - 3
  • Fretboard Pinky - 4
  • Fingerstyle ThumB - p
  • Fingerstyle Index - i
  • Fingerstyle Middle - m
  • Fingerstyle Annular or Ring Finger - a
  • Fingerstyle Pinky - c (hotkey is C)
  • 5 - String One Image
  • 6 - String Two Image
  • 7 - String Three Image
  • 8 - String Four Image
  • 9 - String Five Image
  • 0 - String Six Image
  • Smart Shape Tool looks like this:
  • Image
  • Bend (Smart Shape Tool -> Guitar Bend Tool)
  • Slide (Smart Shape Tool -> Tab Slide Tool)
  • Vibrato (Smart Shape Tool -> Cntrl + Click the "?" -> Select the squiggly line -> ddcl and drag to the end note -> position)
  • Trill (Smart Shape tool -> trill tool)
*TIPS*
  • Use the Lyrics Tool to place fingerstyle symbols (p, i , m, a, and c) under the treble clef in a neat row.
  • Image
  • Use layers to create contrapuntal guitar parts. (They will show up as different colors in Finale but will print out black.)
  • Image

arfo
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Finale Version: Finale 2014
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Post by arfo » Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:53 pm

what can I say? Hope I can help you someway, one day..

arfo ;)
Finale 2014 on Mac OSX 10.9.5

kobitz
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Post by kobitz » Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:24 am

I'm listening to your myspace page and eating a sandwich.

Very nice tunes! Hope the advice helps you share your music....

arfo
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Post by arfo » Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:56 am

Hi Kobitz! I'm happy you enjoyed my music ;)
I registerd myself on finale guitar forum but where can I find the file you posted ?
All I see is this.. (see attacchment)

arfo
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Finale 2014 on Mac OSX 10.9.5

kobitz
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Post by kobitz » Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:46 pm

Click here -----> http://www.finaleguitar.com/index.php?showtopic=127

That's the link to the topic. The file is attached at the bottom of the topic.

One of the problems is that you were still listed as "validating". You wouldn't be able to see the entire website. I fixed that so the next time you log in, it should look different.

There are three main sections to the website. The bass method, the guitar method, and the member forum.

Click on this link in the Nav Bar to see the entire website:

Image

The topic found in the Member Forum, under "Create Your Own Lessons", and then it will be in the topic "Classical Guitar Template".

Your Nav Bar will look like this when you are in the right section:

Image

Scroll to the bottom of the topic and you'll see this:

Image

And that's the file.

arfo
Posts: 51
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Post by arfo » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:21 pm

Hi Kobitz,
thank you for your kindness and excuse me for my late in answering.
I downloaded the file but it appears to be a completely empty page... :roll:

arfo
Finale 2014 on Mac OSX 10.9.5

kobitz
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:44 pm

I didn't put any examples in the file since most people would just delete them to put in their own music.

If you look at the articulations available in the template, you should notice a difference between the template and a blank document created in Finale. I had to manually add the symbols to the articulation tool so you would be able to add them to your compositions.

So open up the template, enter music as you would in a normal Finale file, and then use the expanded range of articulations to make your music look then way you want it.

arfo
Posts: 51
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Finale Version: Finale 2014
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Post by arfo » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:13 pm

Sorry! I didn't understand the file was a template..
I'll try it for sure ;)

arfo
Finale 2014 on Mac OSX 10.9.5

kobitz
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:34 pm

And when I say "template" I mean a blank document to get you started.

There is a Finale Template File .FTM format, too.

Both formats are available for download.

kobitz
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Post by kobitz » Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:33 am

Update to this:

Finaleguitar.com is now charging $10 a year to download files. They tried using ads to run the site but that didn't work.

If anyone wants this template, just email me: adam@bismanguitar.com

Thanks for your time

joetraff
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:04 am

Post by joetraff » Sun May 30, 2010 4:07 pm

kOBITZ.... thanks a lol man for your helpful replies.
I was just wondering if there's any way to tap on the fretboard.
Please let me know.

LariRudi
Posts: 157
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 8:59 pm

Post by LariRudi » Sun May 30, 2010 7:39 pm

Geeeeez; you guys are WAAAY ahead of me... I'm impressed with the possibilities of Guitar in this Finale.

My question is PEANUTS compared to yours, coming up next, but I wanted to let you know your stuff looks very good; I'll refer to it later.

thx,

LarryR : )
PC; Windows XP
Started NotePad 5/19/10, then
Got PrintMusic this evening; 5/24/10

kobitz
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Post by kobitz » Mon May 31, 2010 5:19 pm

joetraff wrote:kOBITZ.... thanks a lol man for your helpful replies.
I was just wondering if there's any way to tap on the fretboard.
Please let me know.
Here is a musical example and how I would approach notating a tapping technique in a classical style with just treble clef.

Image

I tried to attach my Finale file but the .mus extension isn't allowed.

Warren Barnett
Posts: 365
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:42 am

Post by Warren Barnett » Mon May 31, 2010 9:31 pm

Seems strange that you can't attach an .mus file on the FinaleForum, doesn't it? Put it in a zip file, and then you can attach it.

Warren

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