Accidentals carrying through the measure

[Ian Stewart]

Definitely only in that octave. However, it is usually wise to add a cautionary to clarify if you have (for example) E flat in one octave and E natural in another ocatve later within the same bar.

Exactly as David said. Musicians correct what they estimate is a copying mistake when they are sight-reading parts. I had to play a part where there was a Bb in the key of F#, I assumed it was a B natural. It wasn't, it was an enharmonic A#. If I saw Eb in one octave and an E in another I would assume they were both Eb.
Another thing is that too many cautionary accidentals can be confusing, so there are limits.

[Peter Thomsen]

Not only should the layout be easy to understand, it should also be impossible to misunderstand.

The engraver's job is not just to make no mistakes, but to ensure the performers will make no mistakes.

One of the best practices to keep in mind is that the less black you have on the page (without losing any information), the better.

[ebiggs1]

Not only should the layout be easy to understand, it should also be impossible to misunderstand.

The engraver's job is not just to make no mistakes, but to ensure the performers will make no mistakes.

Absolutely, well said.

[dtoub]

Thanks. I always used P but didn't know hitting P 2x did this. That saves me hitting the Show Accidentals keystroke in Speedy Entry.

Accidental handling in Finale is not ideal. Nor is the JW Accidentals plugin or TGTools accidentals plugin (which seems to undo what JW does). While I've never used Dorico, I have seen a screen grab of their accidentals preferences and it's nice. That would really be something to emulate.

[ebiggs1]

Nor is the JW Accidentals plugin or TGTools accidentals plugin ...

Plugins don't, can't, do anything Finale doesn't already do. They simply automate it.

[dtoub]

C’mon. Finale can certainly scan beyond a single measure and add cautionary accidentals. JW does it. It just isn’t as intelligent as it could be.

[dtoub]

And while I don’t want to get off track here or go down a rabbit hole, you’re describing what a script does. Plugins actually can extend a program since they can interact with APIs (and indeed, plugins can also be called “extensions”). Just as one example, the reference manager I use (Bookends) when I write medical papers plugs into MS Word and extends its functionality. It's literally a plugin. Not a script. But what do I know, I’m just a composer.