Finale Forum

Is there any way change the octave Finale plays chord symbols on something like a jazz lead sheet? I'm not using fretboards so changing those settings does nothing. I want playback just to assess my writing, so I'd rather avoid the extra steps of adding a hidden layer or staff of written out chords just for playback. File attached, assuming my settings aren't just wonky somewhere, you'll hear the chords played above the head in pitch, not very useful for hearing how things are interacting.

Thanks!

You may not like the way Finale "Voices" Chord Symbols, esp if there are added notes or Chord Extentions.
You might better off musically if you make a separate staff for your own voicings.

oldmkvi wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:28 pm

You may not like the way Finale "Voices" Chord Symbols, esp if there are added notes or Chord Extentions.
You might better off musically if you make a separate staff for your own voicings.

It's not the voicing, it's that Finale plays the chords about one or two octaves higher than I would like. Though I think you're right, I might not have a choice but to add a staff.

Most of us don't use the playback of chords (too high, no voice leading, close voicing, confusion with the other staves...).
If you really want them, you can modify the notes of the voicing to a lower pitch.
Edit a chord suffix, click on "Set Play" and change the pitches of the suffix related to the root.
For instance, the suffix 7 (dominant chord) is 4, 7, 10 (semitones calculated from the root). You can lower/invert these pitches, for instance -5, -2, 4.
But you can see that you have to do that in a template/default file or library for each suffix ! Lots of work.
The solution of an additional (hidden) layer or staff for the chords is probably preferable.

Thanks for the idea. Sounds like a hidden staff would be more expedient. Or I can add a staff a link parts for the lead sheet.