Hi there, is there an automatic way to get Dorico to insert ‘remove mute’ text when the ‘senza sord’ text is created? I’m currently doing this manually, but I have a lot of changes, and I’m worried I’ll miss some.
Thanks for any advice
Michael
Not really at the moment. Unless of course you abuse the Instrument Change functionality by having a separate “con sord.” instrument, which probably creates more problems than it solves, and doesn’t work with section players anyway.
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You want to show both “remove mute” and “senza sord.” at the point where the mute is removed? You could do this using a glyph-based playing technique that contains both instructions laid out together.
No, sorry if I wasn’t clear. I want to tell the player to remove the mute x measures before their ‘senza sord.’ instruction happens. It’s for when deps come in and are often sight-reading, it just helps them avoid a bit of squeaky bum…
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At least in jazz, this is pretty standard. I just do it with text and Playing Techniques. Either of the mute instruction methods below could be very commonly found.
Yeah, also common in pit bands as well. I was wondering whether it were possible to do it automagically?
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This could be a great feature with all mute changes! Add the mute, and Dorico could add the “to” indication at the first available rest like with instrument changes.
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Given how automatic Dorico is generally, I was surprised this wasn’t already baked-in tbh.
Daniel? Any chance this could be put on THE LIST?
Thanks so much
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Thanks, I understand the requirement now. It’s definitely something we can think about for the future. Does this apply to any other kinds of playing technique changes in addition to mutes?
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Along similar lines… Now that playing techniques can be applied to selections it’s all too easy to select a passage, invoke pizz and then forget to mark arco at the next entry. As in…
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Obviously it applies to all mute changes not just Open, so Harmon going to Straight, Straight going to Pixie with Plunger, etc.
If time allows, I’ll use a “to arco” or “to pizz.” in a Bass part, as they often have to draw the bow from, or return the bow to the quiver, so the technique change takes a bit longer than with other string instruments. Jazz Bass players almost all use a 2-finger pizz. technique, so it is pretty rare to see one holding a bow while playing pizz. unless it’s just for a few notes.
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Glad this will be helpful to others, and thanks so much Daniel!
In string parts, you’ll occasionally see mettere sord. / via sord., Dämpfer nehmen / Dämpfer ab, or the upright & inverted M-like pictogram, used in the same way. In my experience though, players prefer to pencil the changes in themselves. Also, Open means something else entirely for strings.
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Very true!