Hello, in the release video for V6 it was briefly demonstrated that you can have layer 2 display, for example, which mode to use over a given progression rather than actual chords. I am unable to see how this is accomplished. Has anyone else discovered how to leverage this new feature? Thanks!
When you’re inputting chord symbols via the Shift+Q popover, simply press the up arrow key to move to the second row, and enter your chord symbols there.
Thanks for the reply, Daniel. I am fine entering chord symbols, that is a great feature that I love and use in many of my leadsheets. I was trying to replace what I saw in one of the Dorico 6 release videos where the second layer showed terms such as “Lydian”.
Any thoughts on that?
This is demonstrated at minute 4:16 in the Dorico video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGyPpS6oPK0&list=PLoyaeouPUsdtqWFDBd1zox26qj1CKq05E&index=4&t=127s
You can enter modal chord symbols via the Shift+Q popover. See the Modal chord symbols section on this page:
Layers? Does Dorico have layers? I never knew. Where is this in the manual?
No, Dorico doesn’t have layers. Peter is using the word “layer” to refer to a second line of chord symbols, as you should be able to tell by actually, you know, reading the thread, Andrew.
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Hummm… Seems straight forward but it is still not clear to me. Referring to the page you referenced; I invoke the chord popover and type the term “dorian” (no quotes), and hit enter. It is ignored. Any ideas? Any additional guidance would be appreciated.
I think you need to enter Ddorian or Cdorian.
Jesper
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If Dorico does not understand the popover entry it is ignored. You need to specify the Root eg shift-Q Gdor
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Thanks, Jesper - that sort of worked. When I enter, for example, CDorian, it shows “CDor”. I think I will stick to my original method of using text notes which allows me to type whatever is needed.
Regards,
-peter-
Hi Fred, that is exactly what I got. I will stick to my original method of entering a text note above the chord so I can actually type the complete word Dorian, etc. I did want to explore this new feature, but dont think it really fits for what I need. Thanks for the reply.
Regards,
-peter-
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Hi Andro - I apologize if I am not using the correct terminology. I am referring to entering alternative chords above the original chords as shown in the image below. Just posting this reply to clarify my original post.
Unfortunately Dorico only supports abbreviated modal names. Even worse, you can’t edit modal names in the Project Default Chord Symbol Appearances editor, so this is definitely a deficiency in the chord symbol implementation. As a workaround, I have a doricolib file that allows the user to globally switch between full and abbreviated modal names based on your Engraving Options / Chord Symbols / Modal Chord Symbols / Abbreviated mode names setting, since I’ll always want the period if I’m using the abbreviated name. Here’s a demonstration:
Here’s the file if you’d like to try this method:
Chord Symbol Modal Full Names.doricolib.zip (2.3 KB)
You need to unzip the file, then add that doricolib file to your DefaultLibraryAdditions folder. There are plenty of walkthroughs of that process on the forum. This feature will now be available to any project started from File / New, although you can bring it into an existing project using the Library Manager. Feel free to edit the file as needed if you are unhappy with the appearance. (I added a space before the full names for example.)
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Brilliant, as always…
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I think Dorico should definitely support “FredGUnn” as a valid modal name. 
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Love that, Jesper - perfect and it is what I have “officially” adopted as my go-to method!
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If you want to change the font, it’s Library->Font Styles->Horizontal Line font.
Jesper
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