Finale Notation Tips

Finale Notation Tips 12/23/16, 4)33 PM
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Finale Tips
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I will be moving all of my nale tips to this page. Please note all examples are done using Finale
2011. For examples of how to do some of these things in the other program, Philip Rothman of
NYC Music Services has kindly translated them. Here they are.
http://www.timusic.net/debreved/finale-tips/#lgetimesigs Page 1 of 19
Scores
Tim Davies
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Large Time Signatures

1. Document Options> Fonts>Notation: TimeCONTACT
(Score) = EngraverTime 40 Plain
2. Document Options> Time Signatures. Set top symbol to 0, Bottom to -290 (EVPUs)
3. Plugins>Scoring and Arranging>Global Sta Attributes. Turn o Time Signatures in all staves
but the rst of each section (Flute 1, Horn 1, Timpani, Violin 1).
1.
2.
3.
Optimizing
While I never optimize in the pocket score sense, I do have some staves that are set to hide. For
example, my template has an extra sta for each string part that will hide when not in use, but I
always want to have the regular ve staves showing. The trick to this is to turn o allow hiding in
all of the staves but the extra ones. Then when you run the hide staves command, it will only get
rid of the ones you dont want to see.
If a sta is not needed for a whole cue, I will hide it. I never delete them, as I may need to add
something later or insert the cue into another one, so it is important that each score has the
same number of staves, even if some are hidden. My scores also contain the sketch, which I do
not want to show in page view. The solution is another sta style that forces the sta to hide,
even when it has notes.
Hidden Measure Number Regions

When working on a large score it can be hard to nd your place, as the measure numbers are at
the bottom, often o the screen. To make life easier, I create two measure number regions. The
rst region is the one that will print, and is set to display below only the bottom sta. The second
region is positioned above the sta and set to display on all staves, but I then edit each stas
attributes to turn measure numbers o in all staves except for the top one of each section. The
most important part of this is to make sure your second region is using hidden text so it only
shows on the screen and will never print. Using this system, I can always see where I am.
Sta Names
I like to use a group name for the instrument and then the sta name is just the number (1,2) or
the alteration (Contra, Bass etc). The problem with this is that in any list of the staves in the
program, you will just see lots of 1s and not know who is who. The trick is to use full names, but
hide the actual name so we only display the number. For doubling I use a sta style to change
the name on the sta.
Font sizes
Tempo and other score indications should be large enough for the conductor to read easily. The
best way to accomplish this is to use xed size fonts; my standard is Times New Roman Bold, 14
pt. I also like the quarter note in the tempo indication to balance with the rest of the text, so I will
set it at 12 pt (Engraver Text). Note that to do this, you will have to uncheck Use Tempo Marks
Category Fonts and set these fonts manually. I also use 14 pt bold text (not xed) for my normal
expression indications. As always, you should have a template set up with dummy entries you
can duplicate when necessary, instead of having to create everything new each time.
Speaking of setting things up, in the second image below, you can see the various expression
categories Ive created to sort score markings. This allows you to set various default behaviors
for dierent kinds of expressions (for example, if I want score text to attach to the left barline or
click position). Ive set up a series of QuicKeys that let me create or duplicate an expression in a
given category without spending time in menus. I will post a demo of how that works soon.
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17 Comments
Robert L
Robert L
July 26, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Hi Tim,
Love your blog. But is there a reason for you choosing to use Finale over its
competitor Sibelius? Ive always been able to score way faster in Sibelius and
then in Finale but that just may be a personal preference.
REPLY
" Tim
July 26, 2014 at 1:24 pm
I do not like the look of the other program. The default settings have a
few really silly things in them and most people leave them. For example
the parenthesized cautionary accidentals it puts on tied notes over
system breaks and magnetic layout can screw up and move things to the
wrong place. Finale can look bad too, but it is way more exible.
I started with nale and have never used the other one, have not felt the
need.
REPLY
Joe Kataldo
July 1, 2014 at 11:03 am
Hi Tim, just an update, in case it might be useful for other users. It works as you
describe on mac. But hiding part of the full sta name doesnt seem possible on
Windows 7 Finale 2014.
REPLY
Joe Kataldo
April 23, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Hi Tim, how do you hide only part of the sta name, so that only the number
prints?
REPLY
" Tim
May 8, 2014 at 10:58 am
on a mac it is command/shift H.
REPLY
Joe Kataldo
May 8, 2014 at 11:26 am
Hi Tim, that was the rst thing I tried, but hides the whole name,
including the number. Were do you use the short cut? When you
click on the sta name on the score or in the score manager?
Thanks for your time.
REPLY
Connor Helms
August 10, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Highlight just the part of the text you want to hide (in this
case the instrument name itself, not the number) while in
the sta attribute dialog, while editing the full sta name
and abbreviated sta name. Then press ctrl+h or cmd+h in
mac while highlighting the instrument name, but NOT
highlighting the instrument number. This leaves the name
in for the copyist, but leaves the name out for the printed
score.
REPLY
Jerry
April 16, 2014 at 3:53 pm
Been working through a few of these. Some taking me ages to do, mainly
creating + naming the groups then renaming the individual instruments to have
hidden text but visible number. Any advice for how to speed this up?
REPLY
" Tim
April 19, 2014 at 11:15 am
Not really, it does the a bit of time, but worth it once it is done. Do it
once then make that your template, start your next piece from that le.
REPLY
On the road: Score prep master class at Berklee

March 8, 2014 at 5:00 am
[] Sibelius and Finale. Some of the issues presented were rather tricky, and I did
have to consult Tim Daviess blog once during the session to nd the ideal
settings for the large time signatures in Finale! (The []
REPLY
Adrian
December 23, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Hello : How can I add wings to the repeat sign? and also how can i make bigger
the printing score? thanks
REPLY
Amy
December 15, 2013 at 2:48 pm
how do you print individual instrument parts from the score?
REPLY
" Tim
" Tim
December 18, 2013 at 12:54 am
That is a little complicated, I suggest you check out the manual.
REPLY
Felix
August 5, 2013 at 11:06 am
Very interesting approach with regards to extra sta and using optimization to
hide them when not used. Have you found a way to have one template that you
can quickly and easily adjust the instrumentation for a given project or cue or do
you use several dierent templates instead? Or perhaps you use the Document
wizard and apply document style? But then I guess that would not have all you
hidden staves and other customized items.
I realize you are already plenty generous with your time and sharing your
knowledge but any possibilities you could share your Finale Template?
REPLY
" Tim
August 5, 2013 at 7:28 pm
I update the template for each project. I start with the previous one so
any improvements I have made appear in the next project. I never use
the document wizard. Due to all my quickeys and needing to make
everything act in a very predictable way, I always make any changes
manually.
A project may have several templates for dierent size orchestras. We
A project may have several templates for dierent size orchestras. We

often use Large, Medium and Small sized bands as not every cue needs
full woods or brass etc. I will post a template one day soon.
REPLY
How to Score- deBreved Tim Davies Orchestration Blog

June 19, 2013 at 1:10 am
[] Tips for Scores How to make?Large Time Signatures. How to set up your
score for easy and accurate?Optimization. Using hidden?Measure Number []
REPLY
Zoltan Paulinyi
June 11, 2013 at 5:48 pm
I used to prepare my sketch on the main screen, creating a part called Full
score where I would set up the layout without draft staves. With your
procedure, I guess the large time signatures would not easily be applied to this
part only is there a work around or should I abandon making a part called Full
score?
REPLY
" Tim
June 14, 2013 at 12:15 am
Not quite sure of your method. I am able to have a perfect score, sketch
Not quite sure of your method. I am able to have a perfect score, sketch
hidden and parts in the one le. It is all about setting the score up right,
then using sta styles (to turn rests and time sigs back on) applied the
this part only. We use a quickey that applies it and pasts the layout from
part to part so it is quick and easy. I will do a post on how we do it when I
get some time.
REPLY
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Finale Notation Tips 12/23/16, 4)33 PM

CONNECT WITH TIM

Large Time Signatures

Hidden Measure Number Regions

the name on the sta.

On the road: Score prep master class at Berklee

how do you print individual instrument parts from the score?

That is a little complicated, I suggest you check out the manual.

A project may have several templates for dierent size orchestras. We

How to Score- deBreved Tim Davies Orchestration Blog

Enter your comment here...

Guide to a good bow job

In Touch with Harmonics

The Wagner Tuba

Endre Granat Part 2

Jazz Notation Chords and Drums

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Guide to a good bow job

marnen on Jazz Notation Chords and Drums

Sammy Maxwell on Grammy Nomination!

JOIN DEBREVED ON FACEBOOK

Debreved - Tim Davies

Like Page Share

Be the first of your friends to like this

Annie Award Nomination

Score Reduction Videos

Trollhunters sets date

Tim Davies Big Band Album is OUT and New Website

Read all the news

POPULAR DEBREVED POSTS

Guide to a good bow job

Double [stop] Trouble

Jazz Notation - The Default

Jazz Melody and Voicing Part 2

CONTACT TIM DAVIES

MORE TIM DAVIES

$ 2016 Tim Davies please ask for permission before stealing

$ 2016 Tim Davies

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