Names of instruments in "Stave/Part Properties"/"Select Instrument"
I want to edit the full name and shortened name of a few instruments in the Early Music instrument group so they appear with these new names in the Select Instrument list. This is so that I don't have to edit the names each time I create a new score using these instruments.
The Descant Recorder/ D. Rec. I want to rename Soprano Recorder/S. Rec. and the Treble Recorder/T. Rec. I want to rename Alto Recorder/A.Rec.
Can someone suggest how I can do this?
BTW: The default short name of the treble recorder is T. Rec., the same as for the tenor recorder.
Comments
If you are going to use mostly the same instruments, then I suggest that you save your score as a template (added text, tempos and notes do not get imported, so it doesn't HAVE to be empty). See https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/create-new-score#user-templates-fol…
In reply to If you are going to use… by mike320
Thank you. Yes that is a good idea although I am almost exclusively transcribing scores written for other instruments i.e I import the original scores then change instruments. I had read somewhere that you could add new instruments to the lists in MuseScore 2 and I assume that function still exists in MuseScore 3. I thought the process of modifying existing instruments would be similar to creating new ones. Actually, I want to do that too as there is no Subcontrabass Recorder in the list. I usually use the Greatbass then alter the part properties, dropping the usable pitch down an octave.
In reply to Thank you. Yes that is a… by grahamlyons
It's best to create a new instruments.xml file with only the instruments you are adding. Look at the existing instruments.xml to see the definitions of the instruments, then copy the info into a new file. The real instrument.xml it actually incorporated into the program and can't be easily modified.
In reply to It's best to create a new… by mike320
OK. That sounds good. Where do I locate the existing instrument XML files?
MuseScore is in a path that ends
/bin
Move up one directory and select the instruments folder and you will see the instruments.xml file. You can open it in a text editor and view it. Make sure it uses text format and doesn't automatically put returns into the file. You can then create a new instruments.xml file with only your altered instruments in it.
In reply to MuseScore is in a path that… by mike320
OK. I found the file that had all the instruments in it. I opened it, edited it however, the system won't let me save it. System Administrator permission needed. Funnily, the alto and soprano are named as I wanted them. In fact, as they were in MuseScore 2, but I was definitely looking in the Musescore 3 system files.
In reply to OK. I found the file that… by grahamlyons
Right, don't edit that file itself. Instead copy it to one of your own folders and tell MuseScore to use it via Edit / Preferences / Score.
In reply to Right, don't edit that file… by Marc Sabatella
OK, Marc. Getting there. Sorry to be a pain, but I've saved it as list 2 in the Edit/Preferences/Score, how do I access the list from Musescore?
In reply to OK, Marc. Getting there. … by grahamlyons
When choosing instruments (either during creation of the score or via the edit -> instruments window) use the search filter on top and start typing the name of your additional instruments. The should show up if MuseScore could read in your instruments file correctly.
You might have to restart MuseScore after pointing it to your file.
In reply to OK, Marc. Getting there. … by grahamlyons
Don't just copy the entire list. Copy only the instruments you want edited into the new file and changed there names or range. If you copy the entire list, you will get bad side effects, trust me I did that once.
In reply to Don't just copy the entire… by mike320
Agreed. In theory, if you get the edits right, it should work, but then you won't benefit from future updates. Best to keep using the default instrument list as list 1, but add your own supplement as list 2.
In reply to Agreed. In theory, if you… by Marc Sabatella
@Marc, That's what I meant.
In reply to Agreed. In theory, if you… by Marc Sabatella
Yes. I've done as you suggest with the edited instruments in list 2. Thank you both - problem solved.