Instrument Name Problems
Hi folks!
Is there any way to get an Instrument Name to stay in a custom position? I can move it (picture 1), but when I save the file, it moves back to it's original position (picture 2).
I would appreciate any help!
A.R.H.
Comments
Sorry, here's the pics
![picture 1.png]()
![picture 2.png]()
How are you moving the instrument name? As far as I know, there shouldn't actually be controls for that directly because they are generated on the fly - only the ability to set default positions via style settings.
In reply to How are you moving the… by Marc Sabatella
I moved it with the arrow keys on my keyboard because the default looks awful to me (I'm really OCD about my engravings! LoL). I did notice that there was no way to adjust it in the inspector or toggle "Automatic Placement" which usually helps me in this kind of situation.
In reply to I moved it with the arrow… by BlueFalcon5433
I see, I don't think it was supposed to be possible to move the instrument names manually for the reason I mentioned. So not a surprise that this position isn't saved.
But FWIW, if your desire is to produce a more professional appearance to your scores, I would consider reconsidering your assessment of the default :-). Most modern publishers right-align instrument names, and it's the recommendation of engraving experts like Elaine Gould, which is why MuseScore does this as well. Older editions do traditionally center them, and we could definitely support that someday. But left-aligning as you see to be trying to do here is rare and not really recommended as it can separate a label from its staff by a significant amount.
In reply to I see, I don't think it was… by Marc Sabatella
Under ordinary circumstances such as an orchestral score, I would agree. But since there are only two instruments, there really isn't an issue there.
Ultimately, even though it won't save it the way I like it, I WAS able to export it to PDF that way and it looked really nice.
In reply to Under ordinary circumstances… by BlueFalcon5433
Actually, I totally forgot, it's actually trivial to get this result with no manual adjustment needed - just go to Format / Style / Text Styles and set the Instrument Name (Long) alignment to left. Same for short if you also use the abbreviated names on subsequent staves. And center works too, FWIW.
In reply to Actually, I totally forgot,… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks, I appreciate it!