How do I create this type of notation ( seconds in horizontal axis)

[ArielAr]

I happen to love a lot of music that is completely free time/ad libitum/rubatto/recitativo....so I am curious about different ways to notate music that has no rythmic pattern, no concept of measures, beats.

I recently found in a book this transcription of a lute solo ( see the attachment), where instead of measure bars the pentagram has marks indicating seconds into the recording. it reminds me a bit of an old piano scroll. The horizontal axis is in time, not measures.

My question is how do I set up finale to be able to notate like that ?

thanks

Ariel//

[Peter Thomsen]

Welcome to the forum!

There are several solutions.

It can be quite time consuming to create the desired layout; but that depends on the actual layout.

Here is a small demo.

[ArielAr]

Thank you so much Peter !!! I appreciate very much that you went all the way to create a finale file showing how it is done !!!!!

Ariel//

Welcome to the forum!

There are several solutions.

It can be quite time consuming to create the desired layout; but that depends on the actual layout.

Here is a small demo.

[John Ruggero]

I think that the regulars who regularly post demos like that and have done it for years, deserve a huge round of applause for their unselfish contributions.

[David Ward]

I think that the regulars who regularly post demos like that and have done it for years, deserve a huge round of applause for their unselfish contributions.

Yes, indeed.

[miker]

Yes. Hats off to them.

[ArielAr]

I have a follow up question, that maybe Peter or any other finale expert can help me with.

I attach a picture of another approach to non-metered music, using also markings in the pentagram to indicate seconds passed, but instead of notes (notehead, beams,etc) they author drew a line for the duration of the note. If the line coincides with a pentagram line then he just puts a crossing little mark at the beginning ( see the example of a C note being played in the other attached picture)

Is it possible to draw in Finale in such a manner ?

Thanks!

Ariel//

[Peter Thomsen]

I suspect that Wess might have some suggestions about this layout.

My guess is that this layout is more easily created in a drawing program, not in Finale.

[wessmusic]

Hi ArielAr,

Long time ago I faced similar notation problem and solved it easily.
 

 
Here are the steps.

1. Use proper (hidden) time signature in order to open enough horizontal space to all notes and shapes.

2. On second screen prepare guid lines for each beat in order to position all elements in accordance to the manuscript or to stay as close as possible to it.

3. If you need 4/4 TS (like in my case), then inside TS window create 16+16+16+16/64 and use different TS for display. This allows you placing any kind of "Expression tool" element (almost) independently along the measure.

4. Go to Expression tool. Select category "Miscellaneous" and create "rectangle shape" (Expression tool, Create, Expression designer, Shape). I suggest using "Polygon tool". Use 800% magnification in order to stay as precise as possible. Use black colour (menu Shape designer->Fill->Black). Set "Line Thickness" selecting "None". At the end assign a metatool to the newly created shape (I always use "G").

5.Hide the whole rests in all bars and DO NOT apply any kind of music spacing.
7. Place your shapes and extend or compress the length of the elements by clicking twice on shape handle and drag the sides or corners as you like.


best,
Wess

[John Ruggero]

Another huge round of applause for wess, who has been posting elaborate tutorials like this for many years on several forums.