Finale Forum

Does anyone know if this alternative key signature is to be found readymade in a font? The natural means 'white keys only', the sharp 'black keys only' (all notes are sharped).

I have not seen those glyphs in any font.

However, the shapes are quite simple; they can be created in the Shape Designer.

See the attached Finale document.

Thanks Peter. I already did the same, but I just wondered, to be sure.

Perhaps it is better with shapes created in the Shape Designer.

With the Shape Designer you have full control over the symbol’s layout:
line thickness, line length, line position, &c.
This is crucial if you need to reproduce a published layout.

With a font character you do not have that control; you have to accept the symbol as it is.

That's a good point.

What does the altered fermata mean?

I hope I don't infringe on the composer's copyright now, but as I've understood it, it means that the chord should be somewhat delayed because of the arpeggio.

I don't think you can copyright a symbol--you can register one as a trademark, though I suspect the composer would have trouble convincing the patent and trademark office that this qualifies.

Well, that sounds reassuring, if it's true.

Maybe OT. I've not seen that symbol before myself, but it seems that it tells the same as Baroque textbooks on performance: that an arpeggio always should start on the beat. (A practice that is much debated among performers by the way.) The reason why introducing a symbol for this could be to make clear that the arpeggio really should start on the beat, since nowadays the custom is to start it before the beat.