How to make an instrument for all a symphonic orchestra

Dorico
1

Hi,
problem: I want all players in the orchestra (symphonic) to hit 2 stones together.
i’ve created an percussion instr : Stones
But it’s of course handled as an percussion instrument in the score.
I want it to be not included in the percussion layout?

Screenshot 2026-04-12 at 18.34.34
Screenshot 2026-04-12 at 18.34.344144×1042 216 KB

2

Simply deselect that player from the percussion layout in Setup mode.

(Assuming I understood you correctly, and what you’re asking is simply how to remove that instrument from the percussion layout.)

3

How are you showing the orchestral players when they should play the stones?

It’s an interesting idea, by the way!

4

Very cool! Inspiring…

Is it still not possible to add cues from percussion parts? Is that agendised for a near future update or should I request it (again)?

5

If that’s requested before, the development teams knows the request. If they already know it, please don’t request it again.

The development team does not announce features in coming releases, so you just have to look at future release notes.

6

I’ll suppose i print the flow with text and grafic to each musicians and let the conductor tell them which effect it should give.
I want a stereo experience - the sound of the stones to move from left to right and back again

7

Thanks Rikard,
I understand but I want the stones (1-13) to stand alone and not be included in the instrument slur:
Stones as one thing, woodblock and glass as percussionists

8

If by “the instrument slur”, you mean the bracket, you can change that in Engraving Mode.

9

Thanks, yes I meant bracket - my terminology are lacking in english :slight_smile:

10

Assuming that all instruments also use their dedicated instrument in other parts of the score, you could also add a stone as additonal instrument to each player. Then you would have a normal part with an instrument change and you would see the relative timing of the hit for each instument in the bars with the percussion key.

This has the advantage that players sitting behind each other in a classical orchestral seating would hit the stones at the same time producing the stereo wave of hits from left to right or oposit.

If you have sections like for strings it is of course a bit complicated but the hits could maybe be timed per desk but there will be a volume difference.

11

Thanks Mavros, thats an marvellous idea