How to Create a Cue Staff

The place for beginner Finale users. ("How do I...")

Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker

Post Reply
Karen Smithson
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:14 am
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by Karen Smithson » Fri Aug 31, 2018 3:46 pm

The manual tells me how to input notes on a cue staff but not how to create the cue staff itself. Can anyone assist me with this?

Karen
v. 25; Windows 10


User avatar
Peter Thomsen
Posts: 6601
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
Finale Version: Finale v27.4
Operating System: Mac

Post by Peter Thomsen » Fri Aug 31, 2018 5:29 pm

1) Normally cue notes are added to the instrument’s own staff, as small sized cue notes in the rest measure(s) before the instrument comes in.

No need to, manually input cue notes; you can copy the cue notes from the relevant instrument.

There is a plug-in for cue notes:
Plug-ins menu > Scoring and Arranging > Add Cue Notes…


2) However, you can add an extra staff for displaying cue notes.
You must add the extra staff to all the measures in the entire document, but you can hide the staff where you do not need it.
To hide a staff, use the Staff Tool.

To resize, use the Resize Tool (icon: %), and context-click what you need to resize.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

User avatar
Michel R E
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
Operating System: Windows

Post by Michel R E » Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:41 pm

for a cue staff (one that shows alternate performance options, for example):

add a staff to the score, resize only that staff to 75% (or 65% if you prefer a bit smaller).

add your notes where needed.
then hide the staff where it is not needed (you can select the page layout tool IIRC and then click to the left of the cue staff - in the margin - and using one of the two tiny handles on the left side of the staff, choose "hide empty staves" .)

you can even apply a staff style that hides part of a staff's worth of measures ("cutaway" staff style) if you want to avoid having a bunch of empty measures before or after a cue line.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.

Karen Smithson
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:14 am
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by Karen Smithson » Fri Aug 31, 2018 9:21 pm

Thank you for the responses. I think I understand and will begin working on it. One further question: do I add the cue staff to the score itself and then hide it, or do I add it just to the part alone? Thanks!

User avatar
Michel R E
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
Operating System: Windows

Post by Michel R E » Fri Aug 31, 2018 9:30 pm

Karen Smithson wrote:Thank you for the responses. I think I understand and will begin working on it. One further question: do I add the cue staff to the score itself and then hide it, or do I add it just to the part alone? Thanks!
To the score.
If this is what I think it is (an alternate line, as one sometimes finds in concerti) then it should also be present in the score.

You will hide the unused portions of this staff anyway, so it won't affect the rest of your score.
But when you come to make the part, you will have to include the cue staff along with that instrumental staff when creating the parts.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.

User avatar
motet
Posts: 8225
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:07 pm

To be precise, a "cue" is just that--something external to the part (another instrument or voice) that helps you come in at the right spot or play on the right beat. These should not be in the score, only the part. An alternate line that can be played instead is properly called an "ossia", and should be shown in the score.

Karen Smithson
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:14 am
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by Karen Smithson » Sat Sep 01, 2018 1:51 am

Motet: Yes, a cue is what I'm talking about, not an ossia. The cues I am wanting to place are rhythm only, the sort that normally appear in a part above the music being played during sections of particular rhythmic difficulty. Do I understand correctly that I need to add a staff above the normal staff in the part only, and that this addition will not affect the score?

User avatar
motet
Posts: 8225
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Sat Sep 01, 2018 3:46 am

You have to add the staff while viewing the score. Select your instrument's staff with the staff tool and pick "New blank staves" from the Staff menu--it will add a staff above the one you selected. Edit the staff attributes of this new staff and check "Force-hide staff in score only." Then go to Manage parts, edit the part definition for your part, and add the new staff to your part.

Karen Smithson
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:14 am
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by Karen Smithson » Sat Sep 01, 2018 11:10 am

Thank you so much, motet! This was exactly the information I needed. I'll get to work!

Blacklab88
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by Blacklab88 » Thu Nov 21, 2019 1:28 am

Michael R E said: "for a cue staff (one that shows alternate performance options, for example):
add a staff to the score, resize only that staff to 75% (or 65% if you prefer a bit smaller).
add your notes where needed.
then hide the staff where it is not needed (you can select the page layout tool IIRC and then click to the left of the cue staff - in the margin - and using one of the two tiny handles on the left side of the staff, choose "hide empty staves" .)
you can even apply a staff style that hides part of a staff's worth of measures ("cutaway" staff style) if you want to avoid having a bunch of empty measures before or after a cue line."

Thanks, Michael. It sounds like the "cutaway" staff style is what I'm looking for to have cues over just a measure or two in a page. Right?
My problem comes from forging ahead with no plan....In working on a cello part for a 5tet. I ran into a few cues on the last 2 pages that occur along with the part. The score looks good now and the page turns are in good places, but I think if I add a new staff, reduce it in size, enter the cue notes, and use the cutaway staff style to get rid of the empty measures on a staff, then I'll run into trouble, right?
Windows 10; Finale 25, Cubase 10 for Windows; Pencil and paper

Post Reply