Finale Forum

Hi everyone,

As a drum teacher I would like to know if there is a way of writing exercises rather than a complete score that never stops from the beginning to the end.

In other words could I for instance write only 2 or 3 measures on the first line, separated by a blank ?

Thank you very much for your help.

Welcome to the forum!

Indeed it is possible.
The general solution is to position separate systems next to each other.

But a little more info from you might help.
The better we understand, the better we can help.

Take a look at the 3 attached Finale documents, showing some “variations on the theme”.

In these examples, is there something like what you need?

Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 04, 2022 10:22 am

In these examples, is there something like what you need?

Thank you very much for your answer. Worksheet 3 looks very much like what I'd like to do indeed

Number 2 could work too though as I'm only gonna write drum parts I won't need different keys, there will only be one measure at a time.

nicologix wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 04, 2022 2:44 pm

… Worksheet 3 looks very much like what I'd like to do indeed … there will only be one measure at a time …

Then you need to position one-measure systems next to each other.

To do so, switch to the Page Layout Tool.
In the Page Layout menu, de-select the option {Avoid Margin Collisions}.
By de-selecting {Avoid Margin Collisions} you allow for negative values in the dialog box Edit System Margins.
This step is necessary to get two systems next to each other.
To get the second system at the same vertical position as the first system, the second system must have a negative value for the Distance Between Systems.
(= The systems are separated horizontally, but at the same vertical position)

Since I do not know, exactly what you need (like e. g. the Page Format, or the number of measures per line), I can not be more specific.

Is playback an issue?

Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 04, 2022 3:14 pm

To do so, switch to the Page Layout Tool.
In the Page Layout menu, de-select the option {Avoid Margin Collisions}.
By de-selecting {Avoid Margin Collisions} you allow for negative values in the dialog box Edit System Margins.
This step is necessary to get two systems next to each other.
To get the second system at the same vertical position as the first system, the second system must have a negative value for the Distance Between Systems.
(= The systems are separated horizontally, but at the same vertical position)

Since I do not know, exactly what you need (like e. g. the Page Format, or the number of measures per line), I can not be more specific.

Is playback an issue?

Thank you very much. I'm gonna give this a try and I will let you know how that goes.

So, Worksheet 3 is perfect. Different systems aligned vertically and horizontally.

Whatever I do, I always create new systems that are always aligned vertically, and only vertically.

I tried to work on them but I don't really understand how they work together.

There is nothing I can do to have a system to the right of the previous one

nicologix wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:29 am

There is nothing I can do to have a system to the right of the previous one

If, in the Page Layout menu, you have unchecked "Avoid Margin Collisions", you can move the systems with the mouse next to each other (even more than 2). Use the bottom right handle of each system to adjust its width.

nicologix wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:29 am

So, Worksheet 3 is perfect. Different systems aligned vertically and horizontally.

Whatever I do, I always create new systems that are always aligned vertically, and only vertically …

1) Open the attached Finale v27 document )= “Worksheet v27”.

2) In the submenu Measurement Units, choose Points as Measurement Units in Finale.

3) Switch to the Page Layout Tool, and examine the System Margins in each system.
Note that some systems, like e. g. Systems 2 - 3 - 4, have Distance Between Systems set to a negative value of -114pt.

michelp wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:54 am

If, in the Page Layout menu, you have unchecked "Avoid Margin Collisions", you can move the systems with the mouse next to each other (even more than 2). Use the bottom right handle of each system to adjust its width.

Damn, it's awful how after spending so much time trying to figure out something, you realise how easy it actually is...

Thank you very much !!

Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:58 pm

1) Open the attached Finale v27 document )= “Worksheet v27”.

2) In the submenu Measurement Units, choose Points as Measurement Units in Finale.

3) Switch to the Page Layout Tool, and examine the System Margins in each system.
Note that some systems, like e. g. Systems 2 - 3 - 4, have Distance Between Systems set to a negative value of -114pt.

Thank you very much Peter, you've been very helpful !!

I can finally do what I was expecting to. Thank you for the worksheets and great tips, I appreciate that a lot !!