Is changing a score from 3/4 to 6/8 possible?

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Djard
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Post by Djard » Thu Apr 30, 2020 5:23 pm

I wrote a long piece in 3/4 but now want to have it written in 6/8. Changing the time signature does not work as the note values remain unaltered. I want each two measures in 3/4 to appear as one measure in 6/8 (the tempo is halved). Is there a way to make the change without the labor of manually halving the value of each note and rest?


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motet
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Post by motet » Thu Apr 30, 2020 5:31 pm

I think that very thing came up here within the past few weeks. Maybe hunt around for it.

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:02 pm

Yes, there is a way.

One question:
Is the piece for an ensemble? I mean, what instrument(s)? - Are there any parts with empty measures / multimeasure rests? *)

*) Before you proceed, you should fill all empty measures with real rests (= dotted half rests).
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

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HaraldS
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Post by HaraldS » Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:14 pm

motet wrote:
Thu Apr 30, 2020 5:31 pm
I think that very thing came up here within the past few weeks. Maybe hunt around for it.
Voilà: from 3/4 to 6/8 simplest way, started on 26 Mar 2020
Finale 3.0-25.5, German edition, Windows 7
trombonist, pianist, conductor / Recklinghausen, Germany

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Djard
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Post by Djard » Sun May 03, 2020 2:28 am

Thanks, especially for the tip about entering rests for empty measures before the time change. The score is lead vocal and harmony, piano, three types of guitars, D.S., Bass, violin section, cello, synth, chimes and choral (oohs and aahs). I will get the plug-in.

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motet
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Post by motet » Sun May 03, 2020 4:28 pm

At the end of that thread is a way to do it without the plug-in.

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Djard
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Post by Djard » Sun May 03, 2020 6:32 pm

Attached is the horrible result I got after page 1 that played back OK. I deleted pages 2 to 20 for smaller file size. By the 4th page, some of the instruments were not processed, so playback incrementally went out of sync. Expressions and articulations were scattered. I faithfully entered dotted half rests in all empty measures before applying making the time change. I will try Jari's plug-in. Below are the steps I used; so if I overlooked something, maybe someone can correct me.

1. Make a backup copy of the document and
work with it, until all is well.
2. Enter rests in all empty measures: in
3/4, enter a dotted half note rest.
If score is an ensemble, zoom out,
until all instruments are visible.

TIP: In "Simple Entry Options," make
sure "Check for extra notes" and
"Fill with rests at end of measure"
are checked, in the event they
are disable for ease of tuplet
entry on the lest beat in a
measure.

2. Time Signature tool -> double-click in
first measure.
3. Set as follows (click on arrow heads or
use arrow keys after selecting a control).

Number of Beats: 2
Beat Duration: two dotted 1/4 notes
Rebar Music: Yes
Measure: 1 through end of piece

4. OK. Next we will halve the note durations.
5. Optionally zoom out to, say, 50%, to
facilitate management of next step.
6. Selection Tool -> click in first measure
-> scroll to end measure of section or
score (instrument at bottom of document
if an ensemble -> hold down "Shift" key
-> click in end measure. The selected
region will be highlighted.
7. Utilities -> Change -> Note Durations
-> set as follows...

~ Change all note durations to 50%
~ Include tuplets: Yes
~ Rebar music: Yes

8. OK.
9. If the notation appears squeezed,
reduce the number of measures per
staff system: Utilities -> Fit
Measures -> set as follows...

~ Lock layout with: 3 measures
~ Fit Music On: Current Part or Score
~ All Measures

10. OK -> Expression Tool -> double-click
on handle of time signature -> Edit ->
Playback Tab -> halve the tempo -> OK
-> Assign.

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motet
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Post by motet » Sun May 03, 2020 7:03 pm

Djard wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 6:32 pm
...By the 4th page, some of the instruments were not processed, so playback incrementally went out of sync. Expressions and articulations were scattered. I faithfully entered dotted half rests in all empty measures before applying making the time change...
...
5. Optionally zoom out to, say, 50%, to
facilitate management of next step.
6. Selection Tool -> click in first measure
-> scroll to end measure of section or
score (instrument at bottom of document
if an ensemble -> hold down "Shift" key
-> click in end measure. The selected
region will be highlighted.
Sounds like maybe you didn't select everything, since your method is cumbersome. Just go to the Selection tool and type Ctrl-A to select everything.

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Djard
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Post by Djard » Mon May 04, 2020 5:54 pm

I had no difficulty changing a score with simple notation, from 3/4 to 6/8, using Finale's option. But a score with many tuplets, ornaments, articulations and expressions apparently cannot be changed without loss of playback synchrony among instruments, and notation in staffs with polyphony horribly skewed. I found Motet's tutorial for the option of using Jari Williamson's plug-in but cannot find a URL to a page from where it can be downloaded. Can someone share a copy of the JW Meter & Rhythm plug-in with me?

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Perotinus
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Post by Perotinus » Mon May 04, 2020 8:20 pm

It's on his 64-bit plug-ins page as part of "JW Test Plugins for 64-bit Finale," see:
"64-bit Windows Plug-ins (Finale 25+)" at https://www.finaletips.nu/index.php/dow ... s-plug-ins
Go to the very bottom of the page and you will find them.
Perotinus

Finale 27.3
Windows 10 Enterprise

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Djard
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Post by Djard » Tue May 05, 2020 1:59 am

Ah, under "Test." Thank you kindly.

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