That is one of the critical skills to master when switching from Finale (or perhaps any other notation program) to Dorico and was the first thing one had to master when Dorico was released years ago (before a manual was available).
But there is a logic behind the way the Development Team has organized the program, and steps taken to learn it are well worth the effort.
Forgive me for saying this, Bob: I fully understand that Dorico may not be right for you, and that’s not such a bad thing.
But… why didn’t you try out first the demo version of DoricoPro (60 days)? Then you would have realised that the software wasn’t right for you, without having to invest.
From everything I had heard Dorico is the best one - and I have a feeling that’s true. I’m really not complaining about the software or thinking there’s a better option out there for me – I’m complaining about my brain and my desire to move quicker than I’m able to. I’m hopeful that if I can be patient I’ll get there. I had one of THOSE days when I wrote my original post…I’ve gotten so much helpful, thoughtful responses and that helps. And I’ve also learned a few new things since then. I hope it’s a trend!
That would certainly be the trajectory that has played out here on the forum again and again with new users – so hang in there a bit.
But, more reasonably, no software is « the best ».
There is only softwares that is suitable for what we do and, above all, what we need.
I guess what I meant was it’s the one that more people recommended. A lot of the theatre folks I know have switched from Finale to Dorico so I followed their lead, and there’s some comfort knowing others are heading here too.
Yes, I know.
A very clever commercial operation at the end of 2024. It triggered a wave of panic and haste.
But there was no hurry, and certainly no need to give up immediately on the tool we were using so well.
It’s been a couple of days since I asked a question and I didn’t want anyone to feel left out…so I have another. Can someone point me towards figuring out how to change accidentals enharmonically? For instance if I’m in the key of D major but want to force a bar with Eb minor. I’m hoping there’s an easy keyboard shortcut to change this spelling? Thank you!
There are keys that will trigger the enharmonic above or below. It’s the same keys that you use to add a sharp or a flat, with alt/option key pressed.
In your case, select the notes in your bar, alt-flat them and done.
Thanks Marc!
Hi @bobwalton60, I changed the default shortcut to Command + and Command - in case you want to try if this would be more comfortable for you (for me this is more comfortable, as my German keyboard otherwise needs three keys for one of those commands) :
And to justify my asking for another – I just spent about 30 min looking for the answer in video tutorials, but didn’t find it. So…is there a way to move lyrics typed as a second verse and move them to a first verse position? Thanks again.
Select all lyrics from the one line (click or filter the ones you need or click on a syllable and type ctrl-shift-a), and then change the number using the arrows of the “line number” section in the Properties Panel
Thank you Claude!! I’m learning…let’s hope I’m remembering too!!!
Once you have selected the lyrics, you can also move them by right-clicking and choosing Lyrics > Line > Line X.
(And please start a new thread for each new question instead of tacking on – it makes it easier for forum users to find the answers they’re looking for!)
Thank asherber, will do.
Well stated. I have taken a similar approach, coming from Finale. I have decided to follow and re-make the various engravings I have accomplished there, some of them dating back 20 years; this may seem like a pointless duplication of old work, but it actually reinforces two points.
Those are very useful things to remember, and they serve as morale boosters when I run into a problem that I need to solve in Dorico. I know I did it once, and I trust I can do it again.
That’s good advice, matt. I was having a severe case of wanting to run before I could walk…I have done a bunch of lead sheets that I needed to do - but also are pretty simple and has allowed me to not get TOO overwhelmed with all the other things. Yet. But inputting things I’ve done is a good tool. Thanks again.
Glad to help, Bob. Really, it gets better! I’m starting to feel like my Dorico output is reaching the quality of my Finale work. It’s not Dorico’s fault that this is taking time; it’s the nature of such a complex art.
An aside:
For the last 30+ years I had been told how hard Finale is to learn, requiring various workarounds, plugins required to do whatever it was, very complicated. Many times I was told this, in retail shops, forums, etc. About 20 years ago I did purchase Finale and used it from time to time, various projects, alongside Sibelius. When Dorico came along, I made the switch but I still work with both the others. I was not a power-user on Finale, but it did what I needed it to do, such that I had spent time to input a few hundred pieces for Finale Songbook (iPad)—which then in a few years … was discontinued.
Up until a few months ago, Finale still seemed to come with its warning that it was complex and difficult to learn, compared to Sibelius or others (Musescore etc.)
Then suddenly after it was discontinued … everything in Finale is so easy very quickly done, a couple of clicks and it’s finished (in a few seconds seemingly) … and it’s now Dorico which is difficult to learn.
Such is reframing…
