Allow user defined clefs
This would be easier if users were able to define their own clefs.
My suggestion is the creation of a define clef dialog that would enable the user to select either a clef symbol or possibly an svg file (since they are easily scaled) to represent the clef (I've seen a request to be able to use an N similar to the note input icon as a clef). The user would then define the location of written middle C and any equal octave transpositions only. There is no need for transpositions like major third or perfect fifth and so on.
The interface would be very similar to the key signatures master palette. It would include
- a staff where the clef would be shown
- a single note showing the location of written middle C
- a numeric (scroll?) box that allows the user to move middle C up (negative number for consistency) or down (positive number) one line/space at a time
- a transpose line like at the bottom of Staff Properties that only includes octaves and up/down radio buttons.
- a list of available Clefs and possibly a ??? icon to allow the user to upload a custom clef as an SVG file.
Written middle C: In the case of an instrument like an electric bass, middle C is actually an octave above what it looks like. In the case of the electric bass what I'm calling written middle C is the first ledger line above the staff.
Comments
I'm not sure why this is necessary? If electric c plays an octave below your usual bass clef, you don't change the clef, you change the transposition. Rightclick -> staff/part properties - transpose written pitches to sound[1] octaves + [0 -Perfect Unison] [down].
Which MS already does, because that's the way an Electric bass is supposed to be.
I think the four line problem is that transposition doesn't work, the pitch steps between lines are different. In which case, clef changing wouldn't help either.
In reply to I'm not sure why this is… by Laurelin
The bass guitar was use only as an example to explain "written middle C" it currently works fine in MuseScore. What this would allow, and I didn't mention, is to create an ottava bass clef for older music on the French horn with no 8 on it. There are other cases, the one linked to was a real world situation where I have occasionally wished I could point a user to this feature.
IMHO, transposition works the way it should. When you transpose down a half step, 7 sharps need to be added to the or 7 flats subtracted from the key signature. There is currently no way to truly make the top line of a "bass" clef an E. The clefs don't transpose. Violins, violas and cellos are all non transposing instruments, but commonly use different clefs.