Chord Entry with mouse using pitch before duration

Dorico
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1

I’m learning to use Dorico SE whilst contemplating an upgrade, and going through the different input modes.

I prefer pitch before duration, and that works perfectly when using my MIDI keyboard, but when I try to use the mouse, I have a problem.

I have the Chords option enabled, the + is atop the caret, but when I can only click one pitch with the mouse - as soon as I click another, the first disappears.

If I click the second pitch to one side (the next caret mark), I now have two ‘ghost’ pitches, and can add a third by clicking back at the original caret location (basically, moving the caret when clicking allows me to build a chord) but it seems impossible to build one in the same location.

Am I missing something obvious (likely) or is this something that should ‘just work’ ?

doricochord

2

You cannot build chords quite like this when using pitch before duration input: input one note (press the duration key, e.g. 6 for a quarter note), then choose the next pitch, then press the duration key, etc.

3

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

I did try adding the duration after the first note, but then the cursor moved on and so I thought I’d done something incorrectly. I note I can just click back again, and it moves the cursor back and ghost-adds the second note, so that seems to all work.

It’s all usable, but I would love to see the ability to add multiple pitches first and then the single duration, when in chord mode. The ability to also deselect a note when clicking the ghost a second time would also help. That would mean I could build a chord - hearing it sound as each note is added/removed - and then finally move on.

Anyway, I can move on knowing how things work now.

Thank you.

4

If you have a MIDI keyboard, that will save you a huge amount of time, as you can play the chord and then hit the duration key.

1 Like
5

I realise that, and I use my midi keyboard when composing, but if I want to copy or input from something existing, I am much quicker at using a mouse :upside_down_face:

I know - practice my keyboard skills.

I am just struggling somewhat in seeing the difference between having the ‘chords’ mode selected and not, if I have to effectively do the same thing no matter which mode.

At least I know it’s working as designed, so that’s fine.

6

Chord mode is very quick for duration before pitch and qwerty input.