Implode/Explode and extracting parts from orchestral score

• May 8, 2024 - 03:52

I am creating an orchestral score and I want all the parts to be extractable individually, but I need to combine some staves for the actual conductor score.

I started by making a separate staff for each instrument and each part with the intention of imploding some of them and hiding the view on the excess lines for the conductor score.

For example, I have two flutes that will need separate parts but I want them combined on one line for the conductor score. When I select and implode the two Flute parts, they combine beautifully onto the Flute 1 line and I can hide Flute 2 for the printed score. However, when I explode the Flute 1 line again to be able to create parts, it puts it back onto the Flute 2 line and now my Flute 2 line has two unison voices showing (flags up and down).

The only workaround I can think to do now is to create the full score with a line for each part, extract all the individual parts, then implode all appropriate lines and never be able to create the individual parts again with explode function (or else have messy parts or individually edit them).

This is my first full orchestral score (only done chamber scores so far) and I've also never used Sibelius or Finale. Am I approaching this from the wrong direction? How does one create an orchestral score with fully extractable individual parts but also be able to compress them for the conductor score?


Comments

After you have used 'Implode', the notes of both flutes are in the 1st flute staff as voice 1 and 2. Then you either have to delete the notes of the 2nd flute before 'Explode' or you use the selection filter afterwards and then select the unison notes of the 2nd voice of flute 2 and delete them. Yes, that is a bit awkward.

A probably better option would be to take three flute parts, the top one as flute 1&2 for the conductor's score, the other two for the individual flute parts. Then you do 'Implode' and have all three variants and for the conductor you then hide the two individual flute staves.
If you make a change, you will do this in the individual flute staves, but you will then have to delete the notes from the top line for the conductor's score before using 'Implode' again.

In reply to by HildeK

Thank you, HildeK! Your second paragraph is the best idea. It also takes care of the problem of labeling. I don't know why I didn't think of that. What is normally done in this situation to create a full orchestral score? I'm sure my problem is far from unique.

In reply to by quinster

However, I could imagine that once the composer simply writes his notes in a way that makes sense to him. Either in separate staves or in two voices or even mixed. Presumably also in the concert key, because the chords are easier to recognize that way. That depends on his preferences.

Once the composition is complete, other people will edit it for publication by a publisher and create different variants from the one piece - the more or less condensed score for the conductor and of course the individual excerpts for the musicians and also the adaptation of an instrumental part to the musician's habits: one person plays the trombone in bass clef, the other needs the transposed variant in treble clef.
I simply assume that these are two clearly separate work steps.

In reply to by HildeK

Thank you for all your help. It is working quite well now, since I have a better handle on how to do it. I made an extra staff for the conductor's score that will combine any parts desired and the others will remain hidden. When setting up my scores (for chamber pieces), I have always tried to make it as easily extractable as possible without a lot of editing afterwards. So far, it seems to be working with the method you recommended. I thank you again.

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