Pick-up Measure

• Jun 12, 2012 - 20:09

Hi;
If I have a score that I've already written, how can I edit it to add a pick-up measure?
TIA,
Beno

Comments

• Jun 12, 2012 - 20:22

It depends what you want to do exactly.
- You can add a measure before the first one by selecting the first measure and go to Create -> Measure -> Insert one measure. Then right click this new measure -> measure properties -> Actual duration. And then add some notes for your pickup.

- If you already have the notes in the first measure, you can copy paste them at the start of the measure and then just change the actual duration

Reply

• Jan 27, 2014 - 19:02

I've followed the instructions in the manual for adding a pickup measure, but this only let's me add notes before the default rest value for the measure, not after.

I'm trying to create a pickup measure that has the following order:

1/2 rest -> 1/4 rest -> 1/8 rest and then my 1/8 note pickup into the first real measure of the song.

So far, I've only been able to add notes before the default whole rest in the pickup measure I've added. I can't them move the note past the rest and put things in the order I need.

Can anyone advise where I'm going wrong?

Thanks,

Will

Reply

• Jan 28, 2014 - 14:36

If your score has other instruments which start on the first beat of the bar than yes you include rests in the instrument you are creating the pickup for - the way to do this is to select the full bar rest then select and appropriate time vaule with the number keys or toolbar. Repear this process until you have enough rests, now select the last rest, hit N and enter your pickup note.

In the example you give the procedure would be.....

1. Select full bar rest
2. Press 6
3. Right arrow
4. Press 5
5. Right arrow
6. Press 4
7. Select last rest
8. Press N
9. Enter note.

If, on the other hand, there are no other instruments playing on the first bear of the bar, then it is clearer, more technically correct to adjust the actual duration of the first bar from the Measure Properties dialogue, and then enter your note - I have heard stories of whole orchestras not coming in because they thought there were rests before they played :)

HTH
Michael

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