Capabilities of MuseScore-harmonica and guitar scores

• Sep 4, 2016 - 02:06

I need to learn a notation software, and my choices are Finale, Sebelius, and MuseScore. I am trying to determine if MuseScore can produce music for either harmonica or classical guitar in dual notation and tablature format.

The harmonica music I wish to set needs to be look like this-
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/harmspire.htm
Note that the hole numbers below the staff numbers harmonica tablature which may need arrows extending downwards below the numbers.

And the guitar music need to look like this-
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/celarrjune.htm

Can I achieve these these results with MuseScore?

Comments

• Sep 4, 2016 - 04:38

Of course, you can. MuseScore is a powerful notation software. And your query is really a basic capability for MuseScore.
See the result I receive for harmonica (based on your proposed scores)
Note there is a plugin for harmonica which "may need arrows extending downwards below the numbers" : https://musescore.org/fr/project/harmonicatablaturemod
But I have not used for this sample below: I am not an harmonicist (but I own harmonicas at house!)

Silver .jpg
And for the guitar:
Mc Dermott.jpg

Convincing results, right?! :)

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• Sep 4, 2016 - 21:43

Cadiz1-

Thanks so much for your kind reply. I do have a couple of more questions, though.

For the harmonica music, the next item is that I have some old time harmonica arrangements where I have devised a system of notating the tongue blocked chords under the melody using a percussion line with stemmed x symbols, both circles and uncircled to show the breath direction of the slaps. Can I do this with MuseScore?
Example-
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/tbot_susanna.htm

And regarding the guitar scores I need to insert fingering numbers, circled string indicator numbers and barre chord designations as shown in this piece. Can MuseScore do this as well?

http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/receipttab1.htm

I have some possible publishing deals on the tables, but I would have to set up all this music in order to get books out. Before I commit to mastering a software program I need to know that it can do all I require. Everything so far sounds quite encouraging, though.

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• Sep 5, 2016 - 03:33

You can use a staff with invisible lines to create the space for the stemmed x symbols, enter notes onto that staff, then use the noteheads palette to change the noteheads how you like. or define that staff to be a "drumset" which allows you to have notes entered with particular noteheads automatically. kind of advanced topic, better to get familiar with the basics first, but rest assured, this will be perfectly possible.

Fingerings and circled string numbers - are easy to add from the Fingerings palette. The barre indications can be created from the Lines palette.

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• Sep 7, 2016 - 19:32

"How did you create the percussion line here?"

I awaited this question! :)

As said, this question requires a fairly advanced level of practice. I did this two days ago in my own way, and as it came to me in this moment, and with certain settings. The result is neat - for me. But improvable perhaps, surely.

Maybe the use of a second staff as a "drumset", rather than use a standard staff (without clef, time signature, and invisible staff lines, all this in Staff properties) would be easier. Perhaps. To try.

And above all, as I said, there is a special plugin, and I have not used at all. Just because I have not the utility. If an harmonicist uses this plugin and reads this message, its practice would be welcome.
So, eg, without this plugin, for entering the fingerings, I first used the "Lyrics" feature, (Ctrl + L) Very good workflow to start. Then we can create (I have done already) a special custom palette of fingerings for harmonicas (higher numbers, 6, 7, some with circles)

I let a beginning of a Template on the song you propose, Oh Susanna. You will practice on it. (see three files below)

I am fully aware that all these words and all these steps may confuse a new user. But the query is so insistent and precise!

I insist therefore: if the learning curve is really too steep right now for you, wait a little, work on other files easier.

Here the three attached files, with some explanations that may help you, or begin to see the process.
- Step 1.mscz : after adding a staff in Instruments dialog, "I" shortcut. And after going in Staff properties to hide Clef, Time signature and Staff lines... This first result is expected, despite appearances! :)
- Step 2.mscz :better visual!
- EDIT: new file (after disable, an oblivion first, the playback in staff 2, preferable!) : many things. It takes focus: Step 3 new.mscz

And of course, if other users have a better manner (with the plugin by preference, or not), they will come to your aid, surely.
I initiated. I can pass the baton now! :)

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• Sep 7, 2016 - 21:27

Cadiz1-

Thanks again for your ever gracious assistance. I think it would be even better to set up the tongue blocking indication line on a linked snare drum line. All I would then need to know is how to enter notes with uncirlced and circled "x"s instead of noteheads. How would I do that? You have demonstrated that these symbols can be accessed, but where and how?

I have a harmonica font already installed on my PC and I believe I can access that to enter the harmonica tablature. So I may not need the harmonica plug-in, which I also have downloaded.

Thanks,
Glenn Weiser.

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