Request for up/down to change string rather than pitch on tab staff in normal mode
attempt to change strings in tablature view by using up/down arrow keys changes pitch instead of string.
Regarding the up and down arrows changing pitches and the ctrl modifier being necessary to change strings:
The Ux should be defined in such a way that the default behavior without using a modifier is non-destructive to the note's value. It's all too easy with musescore to accidentally change the note value. It's a backwards Ux. Hitting the up and down arrow's default action should be to keep the note value and change the string. The modifier key should be required only when changing the pitch. That's pretty common-sense Ux.
This is what makes finale easier to edit tab than musescore. With finale I can quickly navigate through the tablature part of the document with one hand, changing strings assigned to tablature. With musescore, I have to keep my left hand poised on the control key the whole time.
Comments
This is currently by design. While it's certainly this design could be changed, it's consistent with how it works for standard notation as well - up/down change pitch. So changing one without the other would introduce an inconsistency, and that itself needs to be carefully considered (we did it for numbers being used for fret vs duration after exactly that sort of careful consideration). As it is, even if it we didn't have the consistency issue, I'm not so sure most users would find it a welcome change - I don't recall many if any people suggesting this before. Generally, our UI owes more to Sibelius overall, and to GuitarPro when it comes to tablature specifically. Do both of those programs also do things more like Finale? If so, that could be extra reason to consider this suggestion indeed.
Meanwhile, you can customize these shortcuts if you prefer, via Edit / Preferences / Shortcuts.
Worth discussing more on the forum, where a number of guitarists who are heavy users of MuseScore will doubtless want to comment. I see one +1 so far.
In reply to This is currently by design… by Marc Sabatella
Sibelius works like finale , i.e. up-arrow changes string, holds pitch. Not sure about guitar pro
IMV, the existing commands should remain as they are. However, if there is a demand for it, perhaps some extra shortcut options (in Preferences) could accomodate the request?