Laying down a piece in quarter notes and then editing note length and syncopation?
Hi,
I am a chronic editor. :) I throw the clay down and then start molding. I've never been able to just input something perfectly - I always have a revision to the very end. Can I use this program?
I want to do a jazzy arrangement of a classical piece for cello. First I laid down the basics of it in quarter notes. I now want to go in and add my syncopation, extend some of the quarter notes into half notes, make others eighth notes, etc. Each time I do so, it either adds a rest or eats the neighboring note. I was expecting it to just move all the notes that much time later (like if I was editing a Word document.)
Is there some setting I need to set, so I can change the note values and insert rests without deleting the notes i laid down? I'm not finding it in the manual, though i may be missing it.
Thank you kindly.
kirijazz
Comments
Use cut/copy and paste rather than overwrite, MuseScore does not have an insert mode, it is not working like a word processor.
Maybe better use pencil and paper until you got the rhythm sorted.
While it might seem tempting to try to work this way, the fact of the matter is that MuseScore just doesn't support that. You need to get the rhythms more or less correct, then as you syncopate some notes, you'll be happy that the other notes stay where you carefully put them rather than disappointed they don't move on their own.
So indeed, the best advice is to work out your ideas more fully in your head - perhaps using paper and pencil - and then use MuseScore notate it, rather than seeing it as a "scratch pad composition tool", which isn't really it's intent. Someday such a facility may be added since it is a reasonably common request.
Brilliant, makes sense. Thank you both for your responses! I think I’ll continue on with the quarter notes to get it down, then I’ll print it out, and mark up my print out.
Then, I’ll enter it again in a new document with the corrected rhythm!
Cheers!
In reply to Brilliant, makes sense… by KiriJazz
@KiriJazz.. Welcome aboard!
MuseScore is one of the best tools for music transcription. Just look at what MuseScorer SRH recently accomplished:
https://musescore.org/en/node/249356
Other projects:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/opengoldberg/open-goldberg-variati…
and:
https://musescore.org/en/user/57401/blog/2017/07/11/openscore-how-you-c…
All possible -- because the MS software has matured enough to handle music typesetting.
Since then, the user base has greatly expanded and now includes those further interested in topics like composing, arranging, exporting audio files, play-a-long practicing, use as a tool for teaching, etc. Because of this, MuseScore is constantly improving; and someday, as already mentioned, a 'scratch pad' mode may be a reality.
Re: 'scratch pad':
One difference between using MuseScore versus using pencil and paper is that MuseScore has playback capabilities. Paper and pencil do not. With this in mind, I am attaching a file I created when this topic came up before. You can open it in MuseScore and experiment. As you follow the instructions, don't worry about 'breaking anything'.
Here's the file:
Musical_vs_Graphical_2.mscz
OK, so... you are probably like many of us because you wrote:
I've never been able to just input something perfectly.
(i.e. you are not transcribing from a manuscript directly into MuseScore, but perhaps trying to enter notes and rhythms 'by ear'.)
and:
I now want to go in and add my syncopation, extend some of the quarter notes into half notes, make others eighth notes, etc. Each time I do so, it either adds a rest or eats the neighboring note.
Aha! There's the rub!
For (some future) 'scratch pad' mode, it would involve a feature that needs to be fully outlined.
That is to say: many folk would want to try different note/rhythm combinations, and then expect to hear how they sound. (Definitely not like using paper and pencil.)
So... should playback be provided in 'scratchpad mode'?
Because without playback, the dragging of musical symbols across the MuseScore sheet would be simple enough. Heck, one would even be able to delete a rest - just like with an eraser on paper. (Frequently a forum complaint raised by those less experienced. :-)
Regards.
I am excited - I stumbled upon how to do what I wanted to do!
First, I added a bunch of blank measures in the beginning of my scratchy quarter-note score, to move my "scratch pad" area down. (but still there to remind me of my train of though while I re-write.)
Then, starting at the top, I found that I could keep up with my incessant editing by doing a mix of "Add notes" and "change note length". It appears that if I deselect the "Add Notes" mode, and then select the type of note I want the next note I laid down to be, I can click on that note-head on my score, and it will become that note length. If I do it after laying down each measure or so, that suffices for me. The real-time play-back feature is fantastic.
I now have a simplified version of Canon Rock for Cello, and am going to try playing it tomorrow!
sooooo excited.
What a great program!
Thanks all.
In reply to I am excited - I stumbled… by KiriJazz
Congratulations!
From what you write above:
It appears that if I deselect the "Add Notes" mode, and then select the type of note I want the next note I laid down to be, I can click on that note-head on my score, and it will become that note length.
and:
I now want to go in and add my syncopation... Each time I do so, it either adds a rest or eats the neighboring note.
Once you grasp those 2 points, you basically know how the program works.
Regards.