Playback in another key

[DrumCorpsMama]

I inherited a Finale File for arranging for drum corps (old school G bugles). It automatically transposes the playback. I have no idea how that was accomplished, and I would love to know how to adjust playback to do that; in other words, compose in C on the manuscript, but hear it back in G.

[motet]

I assume you mean in plays back in C instead of G.

Go to the Score Manager, Instrument List. Select the instrument, click on Transposition, and set it to G.

The close the Score Manager, pick the Key Signature tool, and click on the first measure. Change the key to G major, and select Tranpose: Down.

[DrumCorpsMama]

Thanks for answering; I think that's where the answer is. I'm still not sure how to manage it, though. When I tried it, it transposed my manuscript rather than change the pitch of the playback. But I did mean what I said: If I compose a song in C in the score, I want it to match the pitch of the G Bugle, which would make it the concert key of F.

This particular song I've composed in the key of G. There's no bugle on the instrument list, so I chose Trumpet in C. I want the playback pitch to be in D.

In the template I inherited, the Score Manager window has the option of UNKNOWN for the instrument, which appears below BLANK STAFF and GRAND STAFF if I click on the Instrument name and select ALL and BLANK STAFF. The UNKNOWN option doesn't appear in my current version of Finale.

[alexm3912]

Transposing the playback in Finale while keeping the written pitch is a handy feature for arranging for transposing instruments like bugles. It lets you hear the actual concert pitch while still notating in the correct key for the performers. Here's how to set that up:

• Go to the Staff Attributes window (Document menu > Staff Attributes).
  Select the staff or staves you want to transpose.
  Click the Transpose tab.
  Under "Transpose notation and playback", choose "Different" and select the interval you want to transpose by. For old school G bugles, you'd select "Perfect 4th" to go from C up to G.
  Make sure "Transpose key signature" is checked so it adjusts automatically.
  Click OK and you should be all set! The notation will stay in C but playback will sound a 4th higher in G.
  You can also set this on a per-instrument basis in the Score Manager (Window menu > Score Manager). Just select the bugle staves, go to the "Transposition" column, and input "P4" for perfect 4th. This overrides the Staff Attributes setting.
  One thing to double check is that the Sound Map (MIDI/Audio menu > Score Manager > Sounds) has appropriate patches assigned to the transposed staves. You may need to remap them to a bugle patch for realistic playback.

Let me know if you have any other Finale transposition or playback questions! It definitely takes some setup but having independent control over notation and concert pitch is super useful for transposing scores.A printable calendar is a calendar that is designed to be printed out on paper. These calendars come in various formats, sizes, and designs, catering to different preferences and needs. They can be found online as downloadable template files in formats such as PDF, Word, or Excel. People use printable calendars for various purposes, including.

[DrumCorpsMama]

I will give this a try as soon as I can get out of the hospital (flu).
I will let you know how I make out!.
Thank you.

[DrumCorpsMama]

Alas. I evidently have a different version of Finale, as I cannot find the categories you mention. I have no Staff Attributes menu under the Documents tab, nor anywhere else.

I've tried using the expressions tool to create a playback 5 steps down, but somehow ended up losing half the document.

I shall endeavor to persevere.

[Peter Thomsen]

Alas. I evidently have a different version of Finale, as I cannot find the categories you mention. I have no Staff Attributes menu under the Documents tab, nor anywhere else …

I suspect that this is not a matter of Finale version, but rather a matter of document settings.

According to your Forum User Profile (shown to the right of your posts) you are using Finale v27.

* If you attach a Finale sample document here, then I am confident that the gurus can find out, what is going on in the document.

Meanwhile:

1) Who mentioned “categories”?
I can not find “categories” mentioned in the posts by motet and alexm3912.
Anyway, categories are “an Expression Tool thingy” - probably not relevant for your problem.

2) To see the Staff Attributes, switch to the Staff Tool, and double-click on the staff.

Also, take a look in
Window menu > ScoreManager > Instrument List
There is a pop up menu for Transposition.

3) Another handy feature:
Selection Tool.
Select the staff.
Utilities menu > Change Instrument…

When you use the utility Change Instrument, both layout and playback will be correct.

[DrumCorpsMama]

By categories, I was referring to the menus and tabs named in alex's post. The Document menu didn't contain Staff Attributes. When I did find the Staff Attributes menu, it did not have any mention of transposition.

When I assign the instrument to a staff, the key signature changes on the score; it automatically throws a Bb into the key signature. I need the score to be written in C and the playback to sound in G. I'm trying to help someone who doesn't read music learn to read the notes on music arranged for bugles. The sound has to be the sound of her bugle as she reads the notes on paper.

I've updated to 27.4. If someone can walk me through it, I'd be grateful.

[Peter Thomsen]

… I need the score to be written in C and the playback to sound in G …

If I understand you correctly, you need the sounding playback in the key of G major, and the written layout in the key of C major (a fifth below the sounding pitch) - right? (= Soprano Bugle)

Key Signature Tool.
Double-click the first measure, and set the Document’s “real” key signature (= the sounding playback key) to G major.

Now the sounding playback key is established (= G major, 1 sharp), and you just need to establish the written layout key (= C major).


A. The faster-and-easier way:
Selection Tool.
Select All.
Utilities menu > Change Instrument…
In the window Change Instrument, choose
All > Brass > Bugle


B. The “other” way that gives you a look at, how the setup is accomplished:
Window menu > ScoreManager > Instrument List
In the pop up menu Transposition, choose
(G) Up P4, Add 1 Flat


Now the written key signature is C major.


By The Way:
When you are done, you can use the Key Signature Tool to change the sounding playback key.
The written layout key will change accordingly.

[DrumCorpsMama]

ahah.
Choose the bugle, then change the key signature to G. That's the secret! Thank you!