I feel sure I’ve read threads about the numbering of instruments, but I can’t find any that refer to my particular use case. I’m curious to learn whether it’s possible to have multiple instruments labelled as Tpt. 1 in B♭ instead of the default I’m currently seeing (see below). I can’t see an option for this under Engraving Options. However, there is an option for grouped staff labels, which is selected but not reflected in my score. Is there a way to achieve either of these desired results?
The setting to show the transposition after the number is in Layout Options > Staves and Systems > Pitch and Transposition
The ability of grouping instruments depends on the definition e.g. whether you included the number in the staff label name rather than let Dorico manage the numbering and/or the exact spelling match of the names.
Many thanks @Vadian. Engraving Options → Staff labels [staff labels for identical instruments held by a single player) allows me to place the instrument shared by the players between the staves.
While exploring the various options, I think I may have discovered a subtle visual bug with the instrument grouping functionality… unfortunately, I can’t find the option again, so am leaving this setting alone for now. Nevertheless…
Bar 70 - Note how the trumpets have a mini grouping bracket
Bar 74 - Trumpet 1’s next entry - The Flugelhorn is held by Trumpet 1, but the mini grouping label has disappeared - this may be by design, as I’m unsure if the mini grouping label is intended only to indicate identical instruments or instruments held within the same section. I think I would find it more helpful if the mini bracket were shown in this context, as this would indicate to me that the Flugelhorn is held by a a trumpeter (ie a member of the same section).
Bar 94 - Trumpet 1’s next entry… the instrument staff label shows Trumpet, even though it has not quite switched from the Flugelhorn until the following bar. However, and this is the possible visual bug, although Dorico has elected to show Trumpets 1 and 2, the mini grouping label is absent:
The mini grouping label is present on the following page of the score.
It happens when you have instrument changes with different kinds of instruments.
You can try to make a bracket change at the beginning, by temporarily disabling instrument changes, in order to see all the staves when making the change.
Many, many thanks for this very helpful post @charles_piano . It’s a slight pity that these things are not yet fully automated in Dorico, as the type of score I’m working on (a musical) tends to remain in a state of flux until the very last minute. It would certainly be worth my while addressing these minor layout issues if and when we arrive at a definitive version, but for now my focus is very much on composing rather than layout.
That said, I’m really enjoying getting to know more of Dorico’s inner workings as I encounter issues along the way. As ever, I’m grateful to you and others for the help and support you kindly provide.