Howdy Everybody,
I am brand new to Dorico and using music notation software in general.
I’m based out of Nashville, TN and have been creating handwritten nashville number charts for bands I play in. I’ve attached one below.
One More Last Time - CWB.pdf (449.4 KB)
I understand there is substantial flexibility with Dorico. But, I was wondering if there was any way to create charts that look like this? I’m assuming not. But I figured I’d ask!
Thanks!
If you have an iPad (information on an iOS app called 1Chart)
[As far as I know, there is no Android app equivalent]
I should think it would be much easier using a dedicated app, otherwise with Dorico there would be a number of workarounds, too many to make it quick and easy, which is what you are probably used to when making a Nashville numbers chart.
However perhaps someone here can give you steps if you want to try it in Dorico.
Not sure I have ever thought of doing it in Dorico, now you have me interested…
There is this iOS one also (called Nashville Numbers app itself)
iPad also, although it does open in Mac. Unfortunately the Mac version is not optimized for Mac, so using the Mac keyboard for input does not work, you just click things as if you are tapping it. Hopefully they will do some more development on it.
Overall I prefer 1Chart.
Yea, I’ve looked into just about every option for making “Nashville Number Charts”. I just don’t love the formatting I have found. I really like the handwritten formatting that musicians have been using downtown forever. I just don’t have the cleanest handwriting. I really love the split page, 4 measures on each side look.
I’m wondering if there is a way to set up a template in Dorico that can make it super easy. But, I haven’t even dug into Dorico much yet. Mostly just curious if it even sounds doable!
1Chart allows you to split the page, choose from 1 or 2 columns (I think that is what you are wanting?)
Do you have it? Do you want a screenshot?
I do not have it. I would love a photo! Thank you.
Does it still divide sections of four measures by a dot? That’s the part I don’t like. But maybe there is a workaround in there for that?
1Chart has a forum, you could ask (for their next update … although updates are very far between) if it could support fonts so you can import your own. There are various font making apps where you use your own handwriting … if 1Chart allowed you to import from those it might work well for you.
Coincidentally I started working on my own Font for NN just last night.
I have not started to actually create the font outlines myself, just wanted to work on the coding which determines placement, superscript (for 7 9 etc.) and at some point actually create the font outlines to be handwritten looking much better than what you see here (or maybe very similar!) I took no care over doing these as they are template numbers to test my coding so far.
So what you see (unfortunately) is just a quick use of the pen tool to create some basic numbers, but you can see what I have got to so far.
If you know someone who actually creates fonts, this would get you near to what you want to do. To input, use a Text editor or similar I presume.
Personally I would use something like Affinity Designer, so I can add other things to it (again because my coding knowledge is lacking and I have no experience with it) … meaning adding notation above and various things like beams, dots and other indications, where it is easy to do with a pencil! but has to be in the font and coding to work.
That is very cool! That is closer to what I’m looking for!
Thank you for all the input by the way!
Here is a PDF directly from 1Chart.
Test.pdf (29.6 KB)
A screenshot of 1Chart Settings
For Designer I tried out a drum chart. I created small snippets of notation, beamed 8ths, dotted half notes etc. and just dragged them into place. It went quite well.
You have all these small notations, beaming, rhythms etc. prepared as “Assets” so they just sit there and you place them wherever so you get what you want, wherever they need to go (no font coding), resize them etc.
This would be easier for what you are wanting outside a dedicated NN app I would think, although you would have to learn how the graphics/vector program works if you have not learnt that yet.
I guess you could do it in any graphics program, even like Photoshop or similar.
BTW, for Apple iOS apps, they usually allow you some time to evaluate after purchase, so you could have a play around with it and ask for a refund if it does not suit you. Not sure of the evaluation period, I know the Play store is a couple of days I think (?)
I do know what you mean … handwritten looks more authentic, but maybe that’s just because that has been all there has been.
If you are preparing a book or PDF, then I can see why you might like to have it formatted consistently, but still looking slightly handwritten.
Optional, it is there on the editor keyboard if you wish to use it.
Other ideas for anyone coming to this thread.
Zero line (no staff, stave lines)
Perhaps where there are notated rhythms, you could either use cues (or a separate instrument)
Chord symbols to numbers
Inputting horizontal lines
You presumably would have to insert the underlines for more than one “chord” number in a bar yourself. (Perhaps there is a way to do it using lyrics, or Playing technique?)
Playing techniques
Create them for the various symbols you need to use or at least use Text (Shift-X).
Thank you! I will report back with my findings! I appreciate all the information!
@justinben2335 related thread here:
Great suggestions by @arco. I might also add, in addition to using a 0-line staff I think it’s useful to fill a series of measures with 16th notes with small slash noteheads, make them grace note or cue size, then hide the stems and noteheads. This keeps a similar width to each measure horizontally. Move chord symbols below the staff and then you can un-hide desired noteheads in the properties panel to create needed tick marks or create rhythmic cues above the chords. As a last step, make the barlines dashed and select a dash length of 0 to hide them. It lets you work from a screen appearance somewhat like this:
Thank you for your input! This is very helpful information. Doesn’t look like creating charts with the exact format I’m looking for is possible yet. But I have been enjoying using this program to write lead sheets. Hopefully, it’ll be possible in the future to do what I’m looking for.
