Feature Request: Specifying fretboard range when inputting notes

• May 31, 2020 - 19:00

Hi all,

It has occurred to me that it would be wonderful if I could select a section of the fretboard while inputting notes. Presently, when working with a TAB+ notation staff, Musescore often puts notes going down a single string, or seemingly haphazardly, meaning I have to go in and use the ctr+arrow key method to move the TAB notes to playable and coherent positions.

Lets say I'm inputting notes for some bebop licks in the key of A in the C- shape position. If I could specify that only frets 9-12 are to be used, then Musescore would automatically put the notes within the frets that constitute the C-shape A position, as it spans the 9th to 12th frets. This would cut down enormously on the time it takes to make TAB + notation staves for instruments that use tablature, as the TAB portion of the score would then sort itself out (with a slight addition here or there of course).

Perhaps sections of a score could be selected and a fretboard area would then be specified for the selection, with the option for manual edits for sections that 'break the rules' while positions are being transitioned to.

Thanks


Comments

" meaning I have to go in and use the ctr+arrow key method to move the TAB notes to playable and coherent positions."
Well, the method with Ctlr + arrow key is not even necessary: the most consistent way is to enter notes directly on the TAB staff. You will be the only one to decide what you want and where (you're the only one who knows the wished position, the program can't guess it), and the program will follow you.

In reply to by cadiz1

One can do that, but it's still more work than is needed imo. It's far easier to think about the fretboard in note names rather than fret numbers. I know that E4 is the G string 9th fret, but it's easier to just put an E4 in the staff and have Musescore put a 9 on the G string, which I could do if I could specify fretboard ranges.

Example: Let's say I want to notate the line E5 D5 C#5 B4. As of now, I get 12, 10, 9, 7 on the TAB staff for the high E string. If I could select a fretboard range (like 9-12 for example, putting me in the C-postion for the key of A) then I would get 12, 10, 9 on the E string, and a 12 on the B string. Nice, neat, and in position.

Let's say I want to add an a descending A arpeggio after that. Right now I get 5, 0 on the high E, and 2 on the B, and 2 on the G string. If I could select the range, I'd get 10 on the B string, 9 on the G, 11 on the D, and 12 on A, just like that, no need to input fret numbers directly, I could just put the notes in the score and be on my way.

Being able to set a range of frets would be simpler and faster, as it would allow guitarists and other TAB instruments to be able to put notes in and have the TAB sort itself out quickly and efficiently.

In reply to by Duaneclapdrix

"It's far easier to think about the fretboard in note names rather than fret numbers."
The two go hand in hand.
" If I could select a fretboard range (like 9-12 for example, putting me in the C-postion for the key of A) then I would get 12, 10, 9 on the E string, and a 12 on the B string. Nice, neat, and in position."

I don't understand this logic. You should ask MuseScore something first. But you have to do an action, anyway (and that requires opening a dialogue, X times, which is the worst thing when you're just typing notes).
Currently, MuseScore offers you the comfort of not having dialogues. That's just great! And you do the action (a simple Ctrl + arrow key) afterwards, that's all.
That's the only difference: before (during), but with X number of dialogues to open.../to choose.../to close... which literally breaks up the workflow (so a really bad idea!)
Or after, by simply making a selection and using a shortcut. So nice, neat, and in position :)

In reply to by cadiz1

"The two go hand in hand"
They do not, especially above the 12th fret, where I know all the notes, but would have to spend time thinking about what fret number a C# on the G string would be. Better to just input notes and move on.

"(and that requires opening a dialogue, X times, which is the worst thing when you're just typing notes)"

Let's imagine I'm notating 8 bars of a jazz head. I can play all 8 bars in the C-shape position of A, which is frets 9-12. I select 8 bars, select the fret range, and then input the notes. It's done. One dialog box. Whereas now, I have to do this: "(a simple Ctrl + arrow key) afterwards, that's all" for every 8th note in the 8 bars in order to get them into position; a simple action done around 64 times (discounting the number of times one has to press the arrow key to get to lower strings, that adds up to much more than 64)

The workflow would be far quicker if I could specify fretboard ranges for note sections. Hell, I could put all the notes in, the TAB could be nonsense, and then specify that the first 8 bars should span frets 9-12, and the TAB would jump into place, rather like tablature transposition. We could do it after, and it would be a single dialog box that would be far easier than ctrl + arrow close to a hundred times.

The shortcut is laborious, and the imagined feature would be a breeze.

In reply to by Duaneclapdrix

"the imagined feature would be a breeze."
Would be a breeze? Well, why don't you do it? :) That's what one think when you don't have to do it yourself!
Joking aside, from memory, this feature request/suggestion - which appears from time to time on the forums - was not officially made on the Issue Tracker. It doesn't cost anything to do it, but someone has to do it.

In reply to by cadiz1

Ah, well, there's the rub. I have no coding ability whatsoever. Is this the place to submit new features? I've never ventured into this part of the musescore community (I hung around the score upload part years ago). Like, I guess that if enough people think somethings worth it maybe the team considers it idk? I don't really know how things work around here really.

I didn't mean to sound flippant if I did btw, I've been using musescore since version 1, and it's been amazing to have access to for someone that didn't have the cash to fork over for Sibelius etc back when I was a poor high schooler. So like, much thanks to all the people that do know how to program stuff and take the time to do it.

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