Staff Labels on Condensed Parts

[Scherzo_Trading]

Hello, I have a unique problem -

I have a score that utilizes “A” “B” and “C” instruments intended for flexible instrumentation. I have several parts that are condensed on the score but have individual parts for players. The score staff labels need to be labeled like this:

Flute 1, 2 A

Clarinet 1, 2 A

Alto Sax 1, 2 A,

etc. Like this Finale file:

Here’s how my Dorico score currently looks, with the “A” before the “1, 2” on the condensed parts:

Here is the same Dorico file uncondensed just so you can see how they are set up individually (Flute A 1, Flute A 2, etc.) :

However, they are set up correctly on the individual parts with the letter following the number:

And finally, here is how my staff label window is set up currently. Note that I have not added any numbers; those have been automatically added by Dorico.

So finally, what I need to have is, on the score, the condensed parts have the numbers “1, 2” precede the letter, not the other way around. Flute 1, 2 A, Clarinet 1, 2 A, Alto Sax 1, 2 A, etc. I would appreciate the help with this. I know it’s unconventional but it is the way the publisher’s house style is for this score set up.

Thank you.

[Christian_R]

Hi @Scherzo_Trading, I think to obtain this you have to do it manually:

• set the instrument names as default (without the A)

• write the A as system text, using the Staff Label Paragraph Style, in Galley view (you may also want to deactivate Avoid collision for the A):
  

  

• make a little space to accommodate the A, increasing these Engraving Options:
  

  

• switch to Engrave mode (with condensing activated) and position the A where desired:
  

  

• switch to the part layouts and hide locally the A:
  

  

• rename the parts layouts (from Setup mode, Layouts panel) adding the A if desired.

• if you need the A also for the short names in the score, once you are finished with music input and layout, copy the A (from Galley view) to all the bars where system/frame beaks occur (the locally hide property will be maintained), and switching to Engrave mode position the (condensed) A in the right position.
  (This is the most tedious part of the work, but you can select one A and make select more twice: since all the A have the same paragraph style they will be selected, deselect the A a the beginning of the flow, and you can position all the remaining A all at once):
  

  

Result:

Dorico file example:
custom label names in condensed staff labels (workaround).dorico (1.3 MB)

[Scherzo_Trading]

Thank you, Christian. Unfortunately there are a whole series of these pieces and this seems like a lot of work if I look forward.

Probably going to need to suggest a style change to the publisher more conducive to Dorico’s parameters (and my time).

I wish there was a way to add a token to a staff label, perhaps, Flute 1, 2 {@token@} with the token being a letter, e.g. “A”. Or probably it would need to be Flute A {@token@} with the token being the number 1 or 2 in some unused slots.

Appreciate the help though!

[Christian_R]

@Scherzo_Trading

this seems like a lot of work if I look forward.

Yes, I understand.

Here another alternative way, using Players names (renamed) as staff labels. (Unfortunately no condensing of the staff labels, but maybe this gives you some ideas…): the main goal I followed, as you wrote, is to have the Letter after the Numbers

Result:

Dorico file example:

custom label names in condensed staff labels-using player labels (workaround).dorico (1.3 MB)

[Scherzo_Trading]

I think this is an option that we can live with. It’s clear and allows for condensing. Thanks for the help, Christian_R!

[Christian_R]

You are welcome, @Scherzo_Trading.