MS4.5.2: Trouble adding an Instrument to an existing score
In an existing 4.5.2 score, when I add a "New instrument" via Layout>Add button I get one of two results:
1) MuseScore adds a staff to one of the existing Instruments. (I did not mistakenly pressing the Add Staff button)
2) Nothing happens
Here's a score with an accompaniment part accidentally in the Melody instrument
Add Instrument issue in MS4-5-2.mscz
UPDATE 2025-05-06: Re 2)
Methinks I misspoke. It seems that MuseScore creates the Instrument (when I press Layout>Add) but doesn't display it in the Layout panel. Hence my prior conclusion. When I use i to open the instrument dialog I see the instrument there.
I've got a situation where the Instruments dialog shows a Guitar instrument, but the guitar staff doesn't display layouts panel? Is that a feature or a bug?
The following image illustrates the situation as it stands
But maybe this has something to do with the part, the integrity of the part, or a need to add Instruments at the main score.
Comments
Like this?
In reply to Like this? by Jojo-Schmitz
Yes Jojo, the result I wanted is essentially the score you posted.
MuseScore 54.5.2 must have been in some kind of state. I quit and then after restarting it I was able to add an instrument by simply the Add button, as I would have expected.
When in doubt restart.
Adding an instrument via the layout tab takes more steps and seems less dependable than just hitting "I" to begin with. Should it work? I guess. But I'd rather get on with it. "I" works every time no matter what else I'm doing. That's why I always use it. TBH, I didn't even know I could add instruments in the Layout tab.
In reply to Adding an instrument via the… by bobjp
The I shortcut is a shortcut to the Add button in the Layout panel. Identical action ... save that if you go to the Layout panel, you can also do other tasks.
In reply to The I shortcut is a shortcut… by TheHutch
Yes and no. It takes three steps to get to the add instruments window if I use the Layout tab. Only one step if I hit "I". Personally I have almost no use for the Layout tab.
In reply to Yes and no. It takes three… by bobjp
Ah, excellent point. I don't know what made me shy away from using i to access the Instruments dialog in MS4.5.2. It may have been that in the dialog's "Your score" column:
• MuseScore no longer shows the staves in the instruments (which proved as a helpful identifier for me)
• double-clicking an Instrument deletes it! (I was hoping double-clicking would afford an easy way to edit the instrument name. Why not add a trash can icon for deletion purposes??) And this begs the question: How often in User Interface history has double-clicking been used to initiate a deletion without an alert like, "Are you sure you want to screw yourself?"
In reply to Ah, excellent point. I don't… by scorster
You can edit the way an instrument is named in the score. But so far now way to change it in the mixer.
1. In the score double click the name in front of its staff. That brings up the change instrument window. You can change the long and short names there.
2. In the Layout tab, select the gear next to the instrument in question.
In reply to You can edit the way an… by bobjp
> You can edit the way an instrument is named in the score. But so far no way to change it in the mixer.
Thanks. I was going to ask about that. Seems quite absurd.