Finale parameter editing

These exercises are an introduction to fine-detail layout adjustments in Finale.

As a first exercise, we will typeset this line of harpsichord music composed by | Buxtehude:

Step 1: Enter the notes

To get started, enter the notes for the music, using your preferred data entry method (Simple, Speedy, HyperScribe, Mouse Clicks). This music has to be entered in multiple layers, so recall from an earlier class the layer buttons on the lower left corner of the main Finale window. The notes in layer 1 will be colored black, layer 2 in red, and layer 3 in green (unless you have changed the color assignments for the layers). Here is an example of what your music should look like after you enter the notes:

Tips for note entry:

1. NumPad 9 will change the enharmonic spelling of a note (convert C♯ into D♭, for example).
2. For the first measure in layer 3, I added two invisible rests. To create invisible items in Speedy Note Entry, create the rest, then type the letter O to toggle its invisibility. In the above example it can still be seen, but it is in a lighter color green. In the options for Finale, you can make it completely invisible on screen (but then invisible items are hard to find). When you print the music, the invisible object will not be printed.
3. When Finale does not position the directions of the stems as you want them (particularly for Layer 3 notes), press the letter L to flip the stem direction of a particular note while you are editing it in Speed Note Entry.
4. Press " in Speedy Note Entry to switch between layers with out having to click on the layer buttons in the lower left corner of the window.
5. The rests in measure 4 can be adjusted vertically by click-dragging them with the mouse in Speedy Note Entry.

Step 2: Adjust note offsets, and stem lengths

After the notes have all been entered into their respective layers, you should use the Advanced Tools Palette/Special Tools to adjust the stem lengths and note offsets to avoid collisions between the notes in different layers.

To open these positioning tools, go to the menu option "Window→Advanced Tools Palette". Then click on the Hammer icon in the pallet which appears (or is already on-screen). This will open the "Special Tools" palette. The more interesting tools in that palette for this example are the "Note Position Tool", the "Stem Length Tool" and the "Beam Angle Tool".

Once you have selected one of the special tools, choose the layer of the notes that you want to work with. Then click within the staff lines of a measure where you want to adjust notes. Once you click in a measure, little square boxes will appear which can be dragged with the mouse. For example, when using the "Note Position Tool", the little boxes allow you to drag the notes to the left/right of their default aligned positions.

Here is what the music should look like on-screen after you have made adjustments with the Special Tools:

It is useful to zoom into the music when doing fine-detail positioning. Here are some handy commands to remember:

• Ctrl+1: zoom to 100% view.
• Ctrl+2: zoom to 200% view.
• Ctrl+3: zoom to 75% view.