Creating multi-jointed slurs
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:05 am
- Finale Version: 2012c
- Operating System: Windows
Hello:
I am working on a rather condensed score that has a moment that requires me to use a slur that can be bent in multiple places, rather than the traditional concave slur. Is there a way of making such a slur in Finale? See the following images for reference:
The second system of this image shows a rather dramatic use of what I'm wanting:
Here is the section that has the need for the bending slur (red line is a rough estimation of what I want as a final product):
https://imgur.com/LMzIi8V
This slur won't be needed for the part scores, just for the full score because of its density. If I am not able to make this kind of slur I'm willing to make changes to accommodate the limitations of Finale (e.g. removing a system from this page to add more vertical space or trying to find a way to squeeze that mezzo-forte into the staff above it) but I would rather make this slur if possible.
Thanks a lot for your help!
I am working on a rather condensed score that has a moment that requires me to use a slur that can be bent in multiple places, rather than the traditional concave slur. Is there a way of making such a slur in Finale? See the following images for reference:
The second system of this image shows a rather dramatic use of what I'm wanting:
Here is the section that has the need for the bending slur (red line is a rough estimation of what I want as a final product):
https://imgur.com/LMzIi8V
This slur won't be needed for the part scores, just for the full score because of its density. If I am not able to make this kind of slur I'm willing to make changes to accommodate the limitations of Finale (e.g. removing a system from this page to add more vertical space or trying to find a way to squeeze that mezzo-forte into the staff above it) but I would rather make this slur if possible.
Thanks a lot for your help!
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6620
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
1) If you (while in the Smart Shape Tool) click the handle on a slur, you get 5 diamond shaped handles, allowing you to customize the slur - and e. g. create an S-shaped slur.
2) You can combine slurs to create a more complex slur shape.
3) A completely different approach:
Create a PDF file of the score.
Edit the PDF in a vector based graphics program (a drawing program), like e. g. Illustrator, and add the slur there.
2) You can combine slurs to create a more complex slur shape.
3) A completely different approach:
Create a PDF file of the score.
Edit the PDF in a vector based graphics program (a drawing program), like e. g. Illustrator, and add the slur there.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
- N Grossingink
- Posts: 1788
- Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 2:50 pm
- Finale Version: 27.3
- Operating System: Mac
Rather than modify the shape of the slur, I'd try to find more vertical space in order to add space between the first 2 systems. It looks like you might be almost there.
You can tighten up the spacing between the staves in the 2 systems you picture. I'd put the tuplet brackets in the first system above the notes. I wouldn't try to place the slur above the 5 tuplet - just move the 5 up a bit above the slur.
If the rest of the systems on the page can be adjusted you might have the needed space. If not, reduce the page size of this page by 1%. That will give even more white space. Such a tiny resizing will be hardly noticeable.
N.
You can tighten up the spacing between the staves in the 2 systems you picture. I'd put the tuplet brackets in the first system above the notes. I wouldn't try to place the slur above the 5 tuplet - just move the 5 up a bit above the slur.
If the rest of the systems on the page can be adjusted you might have the needed space. If not, reduce the page size of this page by 1%. That will give even more white space. Such a tiny resizing will be hardly noticeable.
N.
N. Grossingink
Educational Band, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble a specialty
Sample: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pFF5OeJDeLFGHMRyXrubFqZWXBubErw4/view?usp=share_link
Mac Mini 2014 2.6 Ghz, 8Gb RAM
OSX 10.15.7
Finale 2012c, 25.5, 26.3, 27.3
Educational Band, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble a specialty
Sample: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pFF5OeJDeLFGHMRyXrubFqZWXBubErw4/view?usp=share_link
Mac Mini 2014 2.6 Ghz, 8Gb RAM
OSX 10.15.7
Finale 2012c, 25.5, 26.3, 27.3
- John Ruggero
- Posts: 827
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:41 am
- Finale Version: Finale 25.5
- Operating System: Mac
I agree with N in that it is the rest of your spacing that is forcing the slur into a non-standard shape. In well-engraved music the slurs maintain simple gentle arcs unless there is a really pressing reason not to, as in the famous Ravel example above.
This having been said, the post again illustrates Finale's inability to handle complex slur shapes within a single slur, something that Dorico can do easily. However, while laborious, it is possible to assemble multiple Finale slurs into such shapes with pretty good results.
This having been said, the post again illustrates Finale's inability to handle complex slur shapes within a single slur, something that Dorico can do easily. However, while laborious, it is possible to assemble multiple Finale slurs into such shapes with pretty good results.
2020 M1 Mac mini (OS 12.6) Finale 25.5, Dorico, Affinity Publisher, SmartScore 64 Pro, JW Plug-ins, TG Tools, Keyboard Maestro
www.cantilenapress.com
"The better the composer, the better the notation."
www.cantilenapress.com
"The better the composer, the better the notation."
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:05 am
- Finale Version: 2012c
- Operating System: Windows
Thank you all for the replies. I found space to expand vertically which got rid of my problem, but for the future you never know when you'll need a strange-shaped slur. I'll definitely will be considering Peter's ideas, thank you very much!
https://imgur.com/GmGXtiE
https://imgur.com/GmGXtiE