On 5 Jan 2006 at 12:38, Eric Dannewitz wrote:

> David W. Fenton wrote:
> > I agree that the functionality should be "user discoverable" instead
> > of requiring going to the manuals.
> >
> > But the question is: where does the functionality I needed belong in
> > the program? It seemed like a "Composer's Assistant" kind of feature
> > to me, so I first looked in the plug-ins.
> >
> > I understand why it's convenient to put the function in the 
> > transposition dialog, since it's a place to hang the feature on, and
> > one that is easy to use once you know it's there.
> >
> > But it really isn't what I'd call a transposition function, and
> > that's the problem -- there is nothing logical from a *musical*
> > point of view that makes it obvious that this is where the function
> > belongs.
> >
> > I don't know where it should be.
> >
> > I do know that the transposition dialog is not a place that would
> > come to mind intuitively.
> 
> To double a line up an octave? . . .

Actually, I was doubling lines an octave lower, not that it makes a 
difference.

> . . . Transpose totally comes to mind. . . .

Not to me. For me, "transpose" means to *move* the notes, and what I 
wanted was to *not* move notes, but to add them.

> . . . What else would you be doing? I mean, from a musical point of
> view, I'd say to myself "yeah, that line would be really cool doubled
> up an octave". Then I'd go, ok, I'll TRANSPOSE it up an octave. And
> low and behold, there is a little box there to preserve the existing
> notes. Totally makes sense to me. What else would I be doing to a line
> OTHER than Transposing it? Mass moving it? No. 

It looks like Stockholm syndrome to me -- you're defending it because 
you've become accustomed to it.

> Seriously, it makes sense where it is. It doesn't make sense at all to 
> move it somewhere else.   

No, it makes *no* sense where it is, *except* if you are basing your 
definition of "makes sense" on Finale's software design, and the way 
they've implemented functionality, instead of basing it on musical 
logic.

Doubling has *nothing* to do with tranposition from a musical point 
of view.

And that's why I couldn't find it.

It's ridiculous for someone who knew the function was there to try to 
argue that they know better what the discover thought process is for 
someone who *didn't* know it was there. You're denying the truth of 
my own experience. Or, you're calling me stupid.

It's quite obvious to me that it is *Finale* that is stupid, or, at 
least, obtuse.

-- 
David W. Fenton                    http://dfenton.com
David Fenton Associates       http://dfenton.com/DFA/

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