Well done, Matthew. A list of good suggestions. I don't know for sure but they look to be fairly easy to programme as changes/options within the default libraries. Surely this is a classic case for Coda/Finale producers to be monitoring, and implementing them.
BTW. Why am I getting duplicates of a lot (but not all) messages? Same topic- do I click "reply"-(as it used to be) or "Reply all". PLEASE clarify this for me. Keith in OZ ----- Original Message ----- From: Matthew Hindson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 9:28 PM Subject: RE: [Finale] Finale's Defaults > Dear Allen, > > I agree that Finale's default files could be made a little better. Here are > some of my ideas (in no particular order): > > - I think that it would be nice if there a larger range of default files, > e.g. early music, contemporary music, Broadway style, etc., each of which > may contain different setting depending on the different requirements of > each musical style. For example, the contemporary music one may contain > preloaded quarter-tone libraries. The Broadway one could have 4 bars locked > per system. Also if user-created-default styles could be accessed from > within the Setup Wizard... > > - Rehearsal Letters - these should be bigger and bold, 18 point. > > - I believe that staves should be brought closer together within keyboard > parts. Say there is a violin and piano score, then it seems a bit > nonsensical to have the same distance between each staff. Also, it would be > great if there could be larger spaces between different orchestral families > in a score (e.g. between the contrabassoon and horn 1-2 staves in an > orchestral score). I guess that this would not be easy to implement? > > - Ledger lines (0.04cm) should be twice as thick as staff lines (0.02cm). > Similarly, bar lines twice as thick. These small adjustments make a > considerable difference to the appearance of a printed score. > > - There could be an increased number of text and shape expressions that come > in the default files. For example, all the myriad of directions for the > different instruments (e.g. "con sord.", "senza sord." etc.). These could > be organized in instrumental families within the file. It could also > include a quite comprehensive list of general text expressions, e.g. > crescendo, cresc., diminuendo, dim., legato, espressivo, cantabile, dolce, > pesante, simile, sim., subito etc. etc. etc. > > - These new text expressions could include a q=120 or whatever tempo marking > done in EngraverText T so that we can finally be rid of those godawful tempo > markings made in Petrucci or Maestro (via the Create Tempo Marking plugin). > Better still, put a couple of there in so that beginners who can't work out > how to duplicate text expressions can at least change the ones that are > already there. > > - I use a bold 18 point for large above-the-staff markings (e.g. "Lento"). > For other markings, e.g. "crescendo", I like 12 point italic, though some > publishers prefer 14 point italic. I like 14 point italic for bar numbers. > 10 point bold italic for tuplet numbers. > > - Increased numbers of custom smart shapes. For some examples, see the > lines in Sibelius 2, but for example, there could be thick horizontal lines > with arrows on either and/or each end, dotted lines with hooks and 'sul > pont' or whatever written over them. Anything to save the users having to > create them themselves, or at least, have a wider selection from which to > choose. > > - Having a much wider range of arrows to attach to custom smart shapes, e.g. > bigger, wider etc. > > - I like to leave about 1 space after the clef at the beginning of each line > (via music options). It seems to make the music look less crowded, not > packing as much in in a small space. > > - Grace notes should be sized between 60-75%. I find 50% too small. Either > 66% or 75% is good, though some people believe 75% is too big. > > - I think that staves should all be automatically set for individual staff > spacing from the outset. If you want to change them globally, then you can > always drag the top handle. (Is this do-able within a default file?) > > - Reducing the smallest default bar width (i.e. via Music Spacing Options) > to 3cm or 2.75cm rather than the 3.15cm or whatever it is at the moment. > > - Altering the default placement of the mezzo staccato and accents placed > beneath the staves so that they never run into noteheads or bottom staff > lines. > > - Fixing up the default placement of the tremolo markings so that they never > run into noteheads. > > I must say that in my opinion, and in spite of all of these suggestions, it > would perhaps be best worth Coda's while to follow the suggestion to employ > an outstanding engraver to produce at least one really excellent default > file. Sort of what you must have done with font designers to create the > Maestro font, I suppose. > > That way, people who are not expert engravers, or who have no implicit > desire to become expert, can still unwittingly gain the experience of > someone that is. > > Thanks for soliciting opinions, and I hope that you get some good responses. > > Matthew > -- > Matthew Hindson - Australian composer > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.hindson.com > > || N.B. Due to overwhelming SPAM, my email is set up to automatically > || reject bcc. email messages. > || > || If your email to me gets rejected, try sending > || it to [EMAIL PROTECTED] instead. > || [EMAIL PROTECTED] is still my primary email account > || though, and you should send it there first. > > _______________________________________________ > Finale mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://mail.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale > _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
