How do I simply add a roll symbol, for Irish (low whistle) music, above a note?

• May 23, 2017 - 23:31

Esteemed Sir or Madam,

In previous versions of MuseScore, above any note I could add a roll symbol (used in Irish jigs, reels and airs) by simply clicking on the note in question, then Add, then Text (if I remember correctly), which would bring up a menu -a fairly small table- of possible symbols, including the roll symbol.
In the latest version of MuseScore 2.1.0, frustratingly, I see no simple way to add custom symbols above a note, and the roll symbol is not included in the Articulations and Ornaments palette.
The attached .mscz file of Spórt, Peadar Ó Riada's (jig), created with an older version of MuseScore, shows the roll symbol.
UPDATE: In the Symbols tab of the Master Palette, I have now found the roll symbol I want. It's called "Ornament zig-zag line with right-hand end". Now my question is this: How can I get the Symbols palette to appear by default in my Palettes. All other palettes appear except Symbols!

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,
Rob Stuart

Attachment Size
Spórt, Peadar Ó Riada's (jig).mscz 17.81 KB

Comments

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

I expressed myself badly. What I meant was this: when I open MuseScore and press F9 or select 'Palettes' in the View menu, I see a standard list of palettes, each of which can be expanded, but it doesn't include Symbols. I want to add Symbols to the list. Isn't this possible?

I think your memory may be playing tricks on you. There was never any release of MuseScore in which Add / Text ever displayed a dialog box. Instead, it allows you to type text. If you want to add a special symbol to your text, you can do this by pressing F2 or clicking the icon at far left of the text toolbar at the bottom of the window. This displays the "Special Characters" dialog, which is kind of similar to the "Symbols" dialog except it is desgiedn to work in text specifically. But if you don't need to combine that symbol with other text, and if the default size is good, then it's actually easier to just display the Symbols dialog (press "Z" to toggle it on and off) and add it that way. And if this particular symbol is one you use a lot, then indeed, adding it to a cusatom palette is a good idea.

But FWIW, I don't think the symbol you mention was really meant to be used all by itself. I think it was designed to be repeated to create longer lines. And such lines *are* already found in the Articulations palette, at least if you are in the Advanced workspace as opposed to Basic (see control at bottom of Palettes window). So unless you are saying that Irish music really does use a shorter v the standard trill and prall lines found in the Articulations & Ornaments palettes, better to just use one of the standard ones.

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

Hi Marc,
Thanks very much for your detailed response.

"I think your memory may be playing tricks on you." It wouldn't be the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last! I'm very attached to some of my illusory memories - they make life bearable. ;-)

I know there used to be a much easier way of adding what I call 'the roll symbol', but it doesn't matter now. Thanks to you and the other respondents, I now know (1) how to create custom palettes and drag useful symbols to them; (2) how to use F2 to access all the special characters that can be included in System Text and Staff Text; (3) how to bring up the Symbols Palette by pressing 'Z'. My only remaining question is this: What exactly is the difference between System Text and Staff Text?

The symbol I mentioned is definitely used by other whistle players to mark a roll (i.e. a cut plus a tap). I have seen it in scores on TheSession.org (https://thesession.org/), which is the leading website for settings of Irish jigs, reels, airs, etc. The roll is distinctive to Irish traditional music and is not a trill, prall, mordent or turn. But I understand that the symbol I and other whistle players use for a roll is actually designed to be repeated to make a trill.

Thanks again and cheers, Rob

In reply to by Music4U

OK, good to know about the unique nature of this symbol.

The difference between system and staff text is that staff text appears only on the staff you attach it to (eg, the bassoon staff in an orchestra score) whereas system text apopears at the top of the score only (eg, above the flute staff in an orchestra score) but also on every single part when you go to generate individual parts. If your score contains only a single staff - which seems likely in in your case (melody and chord symbols?) then there is no real difference.

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