Clusters

[amelchi]

is there a quick way to enter the notes of a cluster?
I mean the sounding notes (hidden afterward)... let's say:
chromatic fragments, only white keys, only black keys...

Thanks

[Peter Thomsen]

Just to understand your question better:

1) You are using a MIDI keyboard for note entry - right?

2) You are using the Speedy Entry Tool - right?

[mmike]

Here's a plug-in that will do what you want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ernXTUS-Irw

[amelchi]

in the Jake plugin as you can see from 1''50" on, the notes are inputted manually, before the cluster plugin is applied

I don't want to input the cluster body manually but automagically

[mmike]

Finale can't guess if you want all whte or black keys, or chromatic segemnts. It seems to me you will always have to input the notes and this plug-in will then save you the work of making graphical representations (while still playing back the notes). I'd find that useful and is really all you can expect.

[amelchi]

Finale shouldn't guess, no more than a performer, whereas this last one when sees
a white symbol deduce white keys
a black symbol black keys
a B&W symbol all the keys in between

so difficult?

[amelchi]

but if what I want is now impossible how would you quickly enter a B&W chord manually? with a midi device or even possibly without a midi device?

thanks

[miker]

With Simple Entry, it's easy to enter chords from the QWERTY keyboard. But you have to know the notes you're entering.

[amelchi]

it is not that easy...
try
eb e fa
or the like

[miker]

Enter an E. Tap the 1 key (which duplicates it) and the - (minus) key to flat it. Then, tap the 2 key to enter the F.

This is how it looks, and you would apply whatever cluster indication you want. I will admit, I don't know how the pianist knows which notes to play. That's way above my pay grade.

[amelchi]

thanks Miker...
is there a way to add interval (as you did in your SImple entry example) where in Speedy entry?

[Peter Thomsen]

thanks Miker...
is there a way to add interval (as you did in your SImple entry example) where in Speedy entry?

I suppose that you are talking about “Speedy Entry with computer keyboard (no MIDI keyboard)” - right?

Position the crosshair on the chord, on the scale step where you are going to add the note.

Speedy menu > Speedy Edit Commands > Add Note
(and memorize the keyboard shortcut listed in the sub-menu)

To enter the chord {E flat - E natural - F}, first enter the chord {D natural - E flat - F}.
Then, drag the D natural up, so that it becomes E natural.

[amelchi]

not what I ask for...
add interval as in miker Simple Entry example...

[Peter Thomsen]

The trick of hitting a number key to add an interval (like hitting 3 to add a third) is {Simple Entry only}, unfortunately.

Speedy Entry does not have that feature.

[amelchi]

that I know
that's why I ask here
Finale user since 1992

[motet]

I think the Enter key adds a note.

[AnneMillington]

This is how it looks, and you would apply whatever cluster indication you want. I will admit, I don't know how the pianist knows which notes to play. That's way above my pay grade.

LOL miker

I am always in awe of pianists.

[amelchi]

Dear motet…
The problem is not entering notes but entering pitches that also enharmonically taken are difficult to write
Try for instance what miker does with Simple entry and try to do in in Speedy entry…

[amelchi]

Entering vertically a chromatic scale… this is the problem!

[motet]

The Simple entry thing is diatonic, though of course you can alter the note after you enter it. Perhaps you should switch to Simple entry if the Speedy Enter-key to add a note doesn't seem practical.

[amelchi]

Actually if, by design, in Simple edit 0 would be the Unison, 1 the minor Second and 2 the Major second everything will be solved…!

[motet]

There are 9 number keys but 12 chromatic intervals.

You can press + or - after entering the note to raise or lower it a half step.

[amelchi]

one could limit the chromatic interval to be added to what I proposed (0=Unison, 1=m2, 2=M2); it is around those intervals that you can also have graphic confusion...

[amelchi]

slightly different topic...
What font do you use for clusters?

Thanks

[Peter Thomsen]

… What font do you use for clusters? …

I have been using the Engraver font for years.