Format Questions

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PJRasmussenJazz
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Post by PJRasmussenJazz » Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:51 pm

Hello,

I've just completed a simple transcription using Finale for the first time. I'd appreciate any engraving tips to improve readability, as well as settings to tweak for creating standard Finale equivalents to Sibelius House Styles.

For instance, I'm actually doing arrangements of three pieces from Verdi's Traviata, so I'd like to come up with settings that will tie the three together visually.

For this, the only tweaks I've made are:

1) Using November 2 as the default music font

2) Using Crimson Text (A free Minion-Pro knockoff) for the text.

Thanks for all your help! I've used Sibelius for years, but I haven't been able to customize the scores like I'd like to.
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Verdi


Bill Stevens
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Post by Bill Stevens » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:20 pm

Just one small comment: you don't need the measure numbers on the piano part; the top line suffices.

::: Bill
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miker
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Post by miker » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:32 pm

Normally, you wouldn’t use slurs in the vocal part, unless they are covering a melisma. And even then, many singers don’t like them.

Also, I would open the spacing or adjust the piano slur in the middle system so it’s not so close to the lyrics.
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motet
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Post by motet » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:33 pm

Looks pretty good. I would put the opening p in the normal place below the staff, though.

Do you have a Facebook account. There's a group there, Music Engraving Tips, which you can join and then ask for comments. A much larger audience than here.

PJRasmussenJazz
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Post by PJRasmussenJazz » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:28 pm

Thanks for your help.

I am part of that Facebook group, but since I was actually looking for Finale settings I thought I'd try here. I'm experimenting with line width's etc.

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure all vocal dynamics go above the staff, to avoid clashing with the lyrics.

Thanks again!
PJ

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motet
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Post by motet » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:41 pm

Yes, of course you're right about the dynamics. It's kind of lost up there, though, perhaps because of the Andantino. Maybe move it down a little.

I believe your syllabification is wrong in mm. 6-7. Here is the Ricordi (full) score. "ste in" is a liason. Probably the slur should begin on the quarter note in the modern style.
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Hector Pascal
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Post by Hector Pascal » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:35 am

Just wondering about the anacrusis in the piano measure... would semiquaver rests be used there?
Good luck with the project!
Cheers,
Hector.

PJRasmussenJazz
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Post by PJRasmussenJazz » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:09 am

motet wrote:
Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:41 pm
Yes, of course you're right about the dynamics. It's kind of lost up there, though, perhaps because of the Andantino. Maybe move it down a little.

I believe your syllabification is wrong in mm. 6-7. Here is the Ricordi (full) score. "ste in" is a liason. Probably the slur should begin on the quarter note in the modern style.
I was wondering about the syllables. It happens in a few places. How do I type it in to put the space without moving it to the next note?

Thank you!

Hector Pascal
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Post by Hector Pascal » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:51 am

Hold down the option key while pressing space bar.
HP

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:28 am

PJRasmussenJazz,

Take a look in Document Options - Stems
* What are the stem length settings?

Also, take a look in Document Options - Barlines
It looks like the Barlines have the same thickness as the Staff-lines.
I would increase the Barline Thickness, so that the Barlines stand out.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

PJRasmussenJazz
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Post by PJRasmussenJazz » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:49 pm

Hector Pascal wrote:
Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:51 am
Hold down the option key while pressing space bar.
HP
Thanks! That's a huge help

PJRasmussenJazz
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Post by PJRasmussenJazz » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:49 pm

Peter Thomsen wrote:
Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:28 am
PJRasmussenJazz,

Take a look in Document Options - Stems
* What are the stem length settings?

Also, take a look in Document Options - Barlines
It looks like the Barlines have the same thickness as the Staff-lines.
I would increase the Barline Thickness, so that the Barlines stand out.
Thanks!

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