Piano composers, unite!
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 4:01 pm
Really? There has to be more piano music written than any other type, right? Why are the piano-specific functions in Finale so convoluted and unhelpful? Please think about this and implement.
Pedal markings take WAY too long to choose and place. And some other things require ridiculously long workarounds.
For example, an apreggiated (as in guitar strum) chord takes these steps to notate:
Post by Djard » Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:00 am
You can also use the following steps, which are out of a manual I've written. The steps seem lengthy but they really only takes a few seconds to complete, unless you wish to define custom playback .
• Create Strum Marks:
Draw vertical lines, pointing up or down to indicate the
strum, with or without playback.
1. Enter the chords to strum.
2. Smart Shape Tool (upper icon menu) -> hold down "Ctrl"
key and click on "Custom Line Tool" ("?" icon in the
palette).
3. Scroll down and select straight line with arrow at one
end, pointing either left or right.
4. Double-click and hold down mouse button on second click.
5. Drag line up or down next to the chord, tilting the line
slightly left or right to determine the direction of the
arrow.
NOTE: Alternatively, you may place short lines with the
arrow heads above or below the chords if the longer
ones next to the chords appear to clutter the part.
6. Zoom in and drag handles for fine adjustment.
NOTE: The following steps add playback.
7. Articulation tool (upper icon menu).
8. Click on bottom note of chord -> scroll down and select
vertical wavy line.
9. Drag handles to superimpose the marking over the existing
directional strum marking.
NOTE: The length of the wavy line does not affect the
playback: the full chord will be played in an
arpeggiated fashion.
10. Right-click on handle of first chord in the rasgueo
that is strummed in direction of bass to treble ->
Edit Articulation Definition.
11. From "Playback Effect" drop-down menu, select "Change
Attack" set as follows:
- Top Note Value: 0
- Bottom Note Value: -256
NOTE: The units are 1024ths of a 1/4 note: -256 = start
chord roll 1/16th note duration early. The greater
the negative number, the earlier the arpeggiation
of the chord will start in playback. If you check
the "Values are percentages" box, a setting of -100%
would have the chord begin arpeggiation whatever the
value of the notes in the chord; e.g., if the chord
is written to ring for 1/16th note duration then a
setting of 100% would have the chord begin the
arpeggiation 1/16th note duration before top note,
which is the location of the chord in the measure.
NOTE: Do not set values greater than interval between
the arpeggiated chord and the preceding or
following notes; otherwise a conflict will occur.
12. OK -> repeat last two steps for the next two chords that
are strummed in the direction of bass to treble.
13. Right-click on handle of fourth chord in the rasgueo
that is strummed in direction of treble to bass ->
Edit Articulation Definition.
14. From "Playback Effect" drop-down menu, select "Change
Duration" and set as follows:
- Top Note Value: -256
- Bottom Note Value: 0
15. Right-click on handle -> uncheck "Show" or you may
leave the wavy line superimposed over the straight lines
if you wish; but make sure the placement of the vertical
wavy line does not obscure the pointing arrow.
Pedal markings take WAY too long to choose and place. And some other things require ridiculously long workarounds.
For example, an apreggiated (as in guitar strum) chord takes these steps to notate:
Post by Djard » Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:00 am
You can also use the following steps, which are out of a manual I've written. The steps seem lengthy but they really only takes a few seconds to complete, unless you wish to define custom playback .
• Create Strum Marks:
Draw vertical lines, pointing up or down to indicate the
strum, with or without playback.
1. Enter the chords to strum.
2. Smart Shape Tool (upper icon menu) -> hold down "Ctrl"
key and click on "Custom Line Tool" ("?" icon in the
palette).
3. Scroll down and select straight line with arrow at one
end, pointing either left or right.
4. Double-click and hold down mouse button on second click.
5. Drag line up or down next to the chord, tilting the line
slightly left or right to determine the direction of the
arrow.
NOTE: Alternatively, you may place short lines with the
arrow heads above or below the chords if the longer
ones next to the chords appear to clutter the part.
6. Zoom in and drag handles for fine adjustment.
NOTE: The following steps add playback.
7. Articulation tool (upper icon menu).
8. Click on bottom note of chord -> scroll down and select
vertical wavy line.
9. Drag handles to superimpose the marking over the existing
directional strum marking.
NOTE: The length of the wavy line does not affect the
playback: the full chord will be played in an
arpeggiated fashion.
10. Right-click on handle of first chord in the rasgueo
that is strummed in direction of bass to treble ->
Edit Articulation Definition.
11. From "Playback Effect" drop-down menu, select "Change
Attack" set as follows:
- Top Note Value: 0
- Bottom Note Value: -256
NOTE: The units are 1024ths of a 1/4 note: -256 = start
chord roll 1/16th note duration early. The greater
the negative number, the earlier the arpeggiation
of the chord will start in playback. If you check
the "Values are percentages" box, a setting of -100%
would have the chord begin arpeggiation whatever the
value of the notes in the chord; e.g., if the chord
is written to ring for 1/16th note duration then a
setting of 100% would have the chord begin the
arpeggiation 1/16th note duration before top note,
which is the location of the chord in the measure.
NOTE: Do not set values greater than interval between
the arpeggiated chord and the preceding or
following notes; otherwise a conflict will occur.
12. OK -> repeat last two steps for the next two chords that
are strummed in the direction of bass to treble.
13. Right-click on handle of fourth chord in the rasgueo
that is strummed in direction of treble to bass ->
Edit Articulation Definition.
14. From "Playback Effect" drop-down menu, select "Change
Duration" and set as follows:
- Top Note Value: -256
- Bottom Note Value: 0
15. Right-click on handle -> uncheck "Show" or you may
leave the wavy line superimposed over the straight lines
if you wish; but make sure the placement of the vertical
wavy line does not obscure the pointing arrow.