MuseScore Drumline - Using MDL Pictograms

What are MDL Pictograms and how are they used?

MDL Pictograms are illustrated symbols currently available in the Master Palette that may be used to not only communicate composer intent to a performer, but may also have a specific practical function within MuseScore.

For example, dragging the glockenspiel pictogram to a specific point in a xylophone part would not only communicate the instrument change in the score for the performer, but automatically create a mid-staff instrument change for playback within MuseScore.

Which pictograms are available in the MDL workspace and what do they do?

Pictograms allow the composer or arranger to clearly and consistently communicate to performer a desired intent.

MuseScore is unique in that it is the first and only notation software to use pictograms not only for notation, but to instantly create instrument changes for score playback with a single click.

To begin using pictograms, simply select the desired note in the score you wish to change instruments or communicate to the performer and select a pictogram from the palette - done.

Palette - MDL Battery

Sticks & Mallets

- Stick - Play with sticks
- Brushes - Play with brushes
- Rods - Play with rods
- Hard Bass Drum Mallet - Play with hard felt bass drum mallet
- Medium Bass Drum Mallet - Play with medium felt bass drum mallet
- Soft Bass Drum Mallet - Play with soft puffy bass drum mallet
- Hard Tenor Mallet - Play with hard tenor mallet
- Medium Tenor Mallet - Play with medium tenor mallet
- Soft Tenor Mallet - Play with soft puffy tenor mallet

Strokes & Paying Zones

- Upstroke - Play note using upstroke
- Downstroke - Play note using downstroke
- Front Edge/Third - Play in the front edge/third of the drum
- BackEdge/Third - Play in the back edge/third of the drum
- Center - Play in the center of the drum
-Left Edge/Third - Play in the left edge/third of the drum
- Right Edge/Third - Play in the right edge/third of the drum

Visuals

- Front Filp - Perform a front flip stick visual
- Back Filp - Perform a back flip stick visual
- Hi Mom - Perform a Hi Mom stick visual
- Finger Twirl - Perform a finger twirl stick visual
- Thumbroll - Perform a thumbroll stick visual
- Side Toss - Perform a side toss stick visual
- Pancake - Perform a pancake stick visual

Other

- Watch conductor

Palette - MDL Front Ensemble

Instrument Changes

- Marimba - Change to marimba
- Xylophone - Change to xylophone
- Vibraphone - Change to vibraphone
- Glockenspiel - Change to glockenspiel
- Chimes - Change to chimes
- Windchimes - Change to windchimes
- Timpani - Change to timpani
- Snare Drum - Change to snare drum
- Field Drum - Change to field drum
- Bass Drum - Change to bass drum
- Concert Toms - Change to concert toms
- Slide Whistle - Change to slide whistle
- Congas - Change to congas
- Bongos - Change to bongos
- Timbales - Change to timbales
- Tam-Tam - Change to tam-tam
- Suspended Cymbal - Change to suspended cymbal
- Cymbals - Change to cymbals
- Tambourine - Change to tambourine
- Sleigh Bells - Change to sleigh bells
- Triangle - Change to triangle
- Cowbell - Change to cowbell
- Brake Drum - Change to brake drum
- Anvil - Change to anvil
- Claves - Change to claves
- Wood Blocks - Change to wood blocks
- Temple Blocks - Change to temple blocks
- Castanets - Change to castanets
- Maracas - Change to maracas
- Cabasa - Change to cabasa
- Guiro - Change to guiro
- Rachet - Change to rachet
- Vibraslap - Change to vibraslap

Mallets & Implements

- Hard Plastic Mallet - Play with hard plastic mallet
- Medium Plastic Mallet - Play with medium plastic mallet
- Soft Plastic Mallet - Play with soft plastic mallet
- Hard Yarn Mallet - Play with hard yarn mallet
- Medium Yarn Plastic Mallet - medium yarn mallet
- Soft Yarn Mallet - soft yarn mallet
- Hard Rubber Mallet - Play with hard rubber mallet
- Medium Rubber Mallet - Play with medium rubber mallet
- Hard Soft Mallet - Play with soft rubber mallets
- Wood Mallet - Play with wood mallet
- Brass Mallet - Play with brass mallet
- Bow - Play with cello bow

Audio & Video

- Audio Sample - Trigger audio sample
- Video Sample - Trigger video sample
- Mixer - Adjust mixer level
- Level 0% - Change level to 0%
- Level 20% - Change level to 20%
- Level40% - Change level to 40%
- Level 60% - Change level to 60%
- Level 80% - Change level to 80%
- Level 100% - Change level to 100%
- Mic Live - Microphone is live
- Mic Mute - Mute microphone
- Mic unmute - Un-mute microphone

MDL Tutorials
MuseScore Drumline - Download & Installation
MuseScore Drumline - Introduction to MuseScore Drumline
MuseScore Drumline - Using MDL Pictograms
MuseScore Drumline - Using MDL Rails