Text Editing

• May 12, 2016 - 19:56

I'm trying to change the text of an instrument name. I'm creating a vocal score for a performer and want the instrument name to be her name, rather than the voice type. I have selected the name, entered edit mode and tried to retype it by deleting the existing entry and typing the name. When I do, the original text reappears.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

Comments

• May 12, 2016 - 20:41

You need to change the name from within the Staff Properties dialog. Right-click on the instrument name (or on any measure belonging to that instrument) and go to "Stave Properties". There are 4 fields for you to consider:

  • Part name: the name displayed in the Mixer.
  • Instrument: the instrument sound to use during playback.*
  • Long instrument name: the name shown next to the staff in the first system.
  • Short instrument name: the shortened version shown for subsequent systems.

So you definitely want to change the long instrument name, and you probably want to change the short instrument name and the part name as well.

* Note: the instrument sound can be overridden via the Mixer. This can be useful if you are writing notes for a particular instrument, but want to use the sound of a different instrument. For example, I find that the "Choral Ahhs" sound used for vocal parts are fine for a chorus (i.e. many singers) but terrible for a soloist.

When I transcribe vocal music I set the long instrument name and the part name to the character name (e.g. "Figaro") and the short instrument name to an abbreviation (e.g. "F"). I tend to use the following Instrument/Mixer assignments:

  • Soprano soloist - Instrument: Soprano, Mixer sound: Flute/Piccolo.
  • Alto soloist - Instrument: Alto, Mixer sound: Oboe/Clarinet.
  • Tenor soloist - Instrument: Tenor, Mixer sound: Trumpet/Saxophone.
  • Bass soloist - Instrument: Bass, Mixer sound: Trombone/Tuba.

For SATB chorus parts I leave the mixer sounds to the default "Ahh Choir".

Reply

• May 12, 2016 - 22:19

The only slight problem with this method is that it appears to be the Mixer sound rather than the Instrument that is reported next to the "part names" heading on MuseScore.com. For example, if one were to upload a Bass aria with the Instrument set to "Bass" and the Mixer sound set to "Trombone", at present MuseScore.com would classify the song as "Trombone + Piano" instead of "Voice (Bass) + Piano".

I created an issue with examples here: https://musescore.org/en/node/110856

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