No matter how many condensing changes I insert, these slurs refuse to amalgamate.
I’ve tried just ticking this condensing group’s checkbox to disabling mid-phrase unisons and enforcing amalgamation of slurs. Am I missing something when it comes to condensing changes?
Please attach a cut down version of the file that includes the problem. Such issues very rarely can be solved by looking at screenshots.
You don’t have identical dynamics in the first two bars, that’s why. And you would also have to insert a condensing change for a phrase start in the 2nd screenshot - then unhide the mp and all will be good.
If you want a mf for player 1 in the first bar, and still shared stems/slurs, you will have to do it manually in some way.
Condensing Issues.dorico (1.2 MB)
Oh, I didn’t know differing dynamics got in the way of amalgamating slurs… not sure how I would work around this manually.
I also just realized what I thought was a slur in mm. 7-8 is actually a tie. How embarrassing of me 
EDIT: I was able to force the slurs to combine by using a manual condensing change. It’s hiding the 2nd Trumpet’s mp marking, but this is at least a start. Thank you!!
I was able to fake the 2nd Trumpet’s dynamic by inserting music text into a different staff and adding a ridiculous offset. All done!
You could do it this way. Careful hiding/moving dynamics with setting to local, not global.
I would also not use a 2 for one single note, but rather leave two stems.
See attached.
Condensing Issues_fix.dorico (1.2 MB)
Thank you!
Would you personally use “a 2” for one single note if they’re both, say, whole notes/semibreves?
No, not in that case either, unless they are part of a longer a 2 phrase.
Ah, understood. Thank you for your help!
If I may – I don’t know what instrument this is in the screenshot, but because of the range I think with human players you’re quite likely to get the desired balance by marking both parts mf. And then you wouldn’t have the condensing issue in the first place.
I’ll check in with my trumpet players; really what I simply want is the lower voice to play underneath the upper voice.
That will happen automatically, even by register strength alone.
Hm, now you mention it, that’s true… I haven’t worked with trumpet students in a while; I’ve been recently teaching high school string orchestra
Depending on their proficiency, the low line will be a challenge for student players.
Right, I do remember adjusting the last note to stay in a “practical” range; I’ve decided to do away with this harmony and just have the 1st trumpet play the top line, since that’s more consistent with this whole section.
