Change note value of a chord

Dorico
1

I’m stumped. I really want to learn Dorico, but it does strange things I can’t figure out.

When I try to change an eight note chord to a quarter note (actually any value change), I get notes I don’t ask for and can’t remove. The only way I’ve been able to work around this is to clear the bar and start over. So frustrating! Any help would be appreciated.

2

Hi @Connie_Stauffer, I strongly suggest you go through the First Steps Guide (available as PDF and video from the link below), to learn some basic stuff, so that your new journey in Dorico will be a nice one :wink: :

Getting Started -Dorico

If you want to change the note value of a chord, you need to tell Dorico that, selecting all the notes in that chord. A fast way to do this is to click on the stem of the chord, so that all the notes of that chord will be selected. And then click the number value of your desired note length (6 for quarter for example). Or you can use the shortcut for lengthening or shortening : Shift+Alt(Option)+ → or ← .

In case you activated the Chord mode (with Q) to input your chords, make sure that you leave the Chord mode (pressing again Q) so that Dorico doesn’t overlap the two chords, or use Insert mode so that the music that follows your editing, will be shifted to make place for the new rhythms (going from eight note to quarter note for example)

If you need more specific help, it would be helpful if you post a screenshot of your situation, or better a Dorico file, and explain in details what you are trying to achieve.

3

Thanks for your suggestions. I’ve been searching the Dorico videos which are somewhat helpful, but far from lessons. I wish I had known sooner about the “First Steps Guide”. I’m not certain how I missed that one. I’ve spent the evening studying it. I’m far from finished. This will keep me busy for a while. (Like I need that!) But I’m determined to get up to speed with Dorico, so I’ll do the Quick Start.

Thanks, Connie

4

Dear @dspreadbury and Dorico team, how is this happening to so many new users? How can they be better alerted to the important introductory material?

2 Likes