Instruments in Finale

[Cloudknight]

The default document's instrument is Piano. Now how can you change that to any other instrument sound?

[michelp]

Go to the Instrument list Window. Create a "New Instrument", each time with a different midi channel.

[Cloudknight]

No.. Not creating NEW instruments. But changing the instrument sound of one staff to the sound of another.

Also where can you find the INstruments window. That might find itself use in future.

[Peter Thomsen]

The window Instrument List can be opened from Finale's Window menu.

In the window Instrument List you can view by staves or by instruments.

When viewing by instruments you can edit existing instruments, and delete instruments you don't need.

When viewing by staves you can assign another instrument to the 4 different layers, the chords, and the expressions.
Or you can just set one instrument for the staff.
Then that instrument will be used in all layers, in chords, and in expressions.

Peter

[Cloudknight]

Ok I have figured out the instrument List part. But If i change one staff to one instrument all other staves follow that instrument that I cannot put 2 staffs to 2 different instruments.

[Peter Thomsen]

Ok I have figured out the instrument List part. But If i change one staff to one instrument all other staves follow that instrument that I cannot put 2 staffs to 2 different instruments.

To make two different staves play back with two different instrument, the two instruments must be assigned to two different channels.

An example:
If you create a new document from Finale's Default File, your document will have some ready made instruments that you can assign to different staves.
In the file Maestro Font Default there is "Grand Piano" assigned to Channel 1, and "Acoustic Bass" assigned to Channel 2.
"Clarinet" is assigned to Channel 3,
"Flute" is assigned to Channel 4
&c.

Peter

[Jarrod BD3]

JUst let me ask, is there bass and snare drum instruments?

[Peter Thomsen]

Sure, create a new instrument, and assign it to Channel 10.
It doesn't matter, what instrument sound you assign to your new instrument, since Channel 10 is the Percussion channel.

To make the bass drum notes and the snare drum notes display where you want them, edit the Staff Attributes to use a percussion map.
Read in the PDF manual about percussion maps.

Peter

[Jarrod BD3]

Ok I got that now, but how to I place rimshots on the percussion parts? and how to I change to percussion mapping? PLease detail every step.

[Peter Thomsen]

Staff Tool.

1. Double-click the staff. The dialog box Staff Attributes appears.

2. You might like to select a First Clef for the staff.
To do so, click the button "Select..." next to the clef.
In the Clef Selection, the clefs #5 and #13 are often used for percussion staves. Click OK to return to Staff Attributes.

3. In the pop up menu "Notation Style", select "Percussion", and click the button "Select...". The dialog box Percussion Map Selection appears.

4. If your document was created from the Default Document, you will see 30 percussion maps in the Percussion Map Selection.
You probably want to use the map called DrumSet.
Click it to highlight it, and Click the button "Edit...". The Percussion Map Designer appears.

5. In the left side of the dialog box there is a list of drum set sounds, each sound mapped with noteheads and display position in the staff.
For each and every sound you want to use, you must click the sound to select it, and then click the check box "Highlighted Note".
When you are done, click OK.
You DID remember to check the option "Highlighted Note" for all the sounds you want?

6. Click "Select", and click "OK".

You DID remember to check the option "Highlighted Note" for all the sounds you want, didn't you? (just kidding)

Peter

[Jarrod BD3]

Are u sure this method is for Finale Songwriter? and if it is I can't get it to work

[Peter Thomsen]

You didn't tell, what program you were using, so I assumed that you were using Finale.

SongWriter is a small version of Finale.

I don't think that SongWriter has Finale's Percussion Map Designer.

But take a look at SongWriter's templates.
There might be a template set up with the Drum Set percussion Map.
Even if SongWriter can't create percussion maps itself, it can use and enter music into a document already set up with a percussion map.
Even the free Finale NotePad can do that.

Peter

[Jarrod BD3]

Thanks Man I got it working now. My question is if I created some notes for the bass drums how do I keep them there after I shut off the program? And is there any easy way to muffle a drum sound? Answer this for me and I will never bug you again

[Peter Thomsen]

Jarrod BD3,

1. If you save the document before you quit the program, the bass drum notes should be in the document, the next time you open it.
I can't explain why the notes disappear for you.
Are the bass drum notes the only notes that disappear for you?

2. I have no idea, sorry.
I'm no expert on playback sounds, since I don't use playback myself.
To me Finale is a layout tool.

Peter

[Jarrod BD3]

Thanks anyway dude. I will ask around to see if anybody knows how to muffle notes,play flams, and dittles.

[Jarrod BD3]

Does Finale have hand played notes such as claps snaps, stomps, and hitting your leg?

[marooncadets]

Yes on hand claps, no on the rest.