Finale Forum

When I am entering notes I am constantly frustrated trying to move the cursor to the exact note position needed. What is the absolute best mouse pad I can get so that subtle, exact placement is easy, rather than my feeling like I have to force the note into position?

Why are you doing that? Mousing them in is the slowest, least efficient way. Computer keyboard/simple entry is much faster.

and if you have the slightest proficiency at the piano, entering notes via a MIDI keyboard is quite fast as well, using Speedy entry.

Or indeed if you do want to keep doing it with the mouse you can get the cursor close and then quickly move it to the exact vertical position with the up/down arrows.

Non-mouse methods, as has been pointed out, are usually much quicker. However, there have been times when it has suited me to use the mouse (or usually trackpad) together with the up/down arrows, and I've been able to enter a lot of music surprisingly (even very) quickly this way.

Michel R E wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:00 pm

and if you have the slightest proficiency at the piano, entering notes via a MIDI keyboard is quite fast as well, using Speedy entry.

Exactly, Michel! And I don't, so I've gotten pretty darn quick with Simple and my QWERTY keyboard.

I believe MIDI entry works well for Simple Entry, too.

motet wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:36 pm

I believe MIDI entry works well for Simple Entry, too.

I've tried Simple entry, I know that it has multiple advantages over Speedy, but for some reason, I just can't get the hang of it.
I think probably because I've been using Speedy for some 30 years now.

Like you, I used Speedy with MIDI input; each has its advantages, I guess. Mike's way is fine, too. But, bj nick, mouse entry is definitely much, much slower, so it's worth learning QWERTY or MIDI entry.

Thank you for all of these great suggestions, I will check them out. I've just always done it this way, written hundreds of parts with it. But I'm always willing to learn something new.

Did you get the email I sent you?

With an optical mouse there's really no need of a mouse pad.

Finale Folks.
I have a "Genovation" optical mouse that has a number pad and mouse combined. . It is good for simple entry using midi keyboard. I select the value of the note with my right hand on the number pad mouse, and then play the note with my left hand on the midi keyboard. My hands do not have to be jumping around to enter notes. It works pretty well. I also use hyperscribe at a vaaarrryyy slow tempo taking care to allow time for the rests as well as playing the notes.
Bob Stiffler

I expect that for most users speed is of the essence, and therefore the non-mouse methods described above most appropriate.

However, when it comes to my making Finale fair-copies from my often very quickly and fluently written pencil sketches, I need to slow down a bit, to assess, even contemplate, as I go along. I find the trackpad (I no longer use a mouse for any computer activity) works at just the right (and still rather quick) speed. I have all sound off as I work with Finale: it's visual only until the score is complete. With around fifty years of manuscript work before I took up Finale in 2000 or 2001, I've got used to the quirks, foibles and limitations of my ‘inner ear’ and find Finale's audible entry throws me completely.

Each to his own…

robertstiffler wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 01, 2020 2:56 pm

Finale Folks.
I have a "Genovation" optical mouse that has a number pad and mouse combined. . It is good for simple entry using midi keyboard. I select the value of the note with my right hand on the number pad mouse, and then play the note with my left hand on the midi keyboard. My hands do not have to be jumping around to enter notes. It works pretty well. I also use hyperscribe at a vaaarrryyy slow tempo taking care to allow time for the rests as well as playing the notes.
Bob Stiffler

My hands don’t jump around. Like you, right hand on the numberpad for durations, accidentals, dots, and rests. Right hand for pitches A-G, ties, courtesy accidentals, octave jumps, chords. 1 and 2-key shortcuts for what I use the most: slur tool, lyric tool (select, word extensions), text tool, measure tool, layers 1 and 2, repitch tool, show active layer, note mover, expressions, articulations. That covers probably 90% of what I do.

David: have you tried adjusting the trackpad response speed?

miker wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 01, 2020 6:03 pm

right hand on the numberpad for durations, accidentals, dots, and rests. Right hand for pitches A-G, ties, courtesy accidentals, octave jumps, chords.

Is that the opposite of "two left feet"?

I knew that.

I meant, of course, left hand on the pitches, etc.

Many years ago, I remember seeing a Dennis the Menace cartoon, where he was in a boat that drifted from the dock. His father kept saying “go left, go right,” but Dennis didn’t know left or right. But since he always ate lunch the same way, his mom said “the milk side,” or “the sandwich side.” All better!