Different Dynamics for Different Clefs
I have found instances in my music writing where I would like to have the ability to have different dynamics for different clefs. For example, let's say (and this applies most particularly in a piano piece) that I want the bass clef to be played more loudly than the treble clef (or vice versa). (I understand this is more of a playback request than anything else). This can be written in the score, and chances are that based on the skill of the musician playing the piece, he will be able to interpret the meaning of the notation, but I would appreciate being able to see this implemented in playback. As a rule, if the dynamic marking is above the treble cleg, then the marking applies only to the treble clef. If the dynamic marking is below the bass clef, then the marking applies only to the bass clef. However, if the dynamic marking is in the middle of that staff, between both clefs, then the marking applies to both clefs. As this can be written, just not played, it's not a big issue, but if it can be implemented that would be great!
Comments
Dynamics would normally be attached to specific notes, not just placed arbitrarily on the page. If the note you've attached the dynamic to is in the treble clef, it would apply to treble clef, regardless of whether you the dynamic is displayed above or below that clef. If the note you've applied the dynamic to is in the bass clef, it will apply to bass clef, again, regardless of where it is displayed. As long as the dynamic is applied to a note on a given staff, it should affect that staff. If you're seeing differently in some specific case, a sample file would help.
In reply to Dynamics would normally be by Marc Sabatella
Sorry Marc, but I think you are wrong on that one. At least for a grand staff. Dynamics are by default attached to a part, meaning an instrument. For a piano staff, made by choosing a piano in the new score wizard, a dynamic will apply on the full part, both staves. If you want it to apply on treble clef only, you need to right click it -> MIDI properties -> Staff.
In reply to Sorry Marc, but I think you by [DELETED] 5
Ah, yes, you are of course right for piano staves created normally. I normally create my piano parts as separate instruments so that Hide Empty Staves will work. So that's an option here, too. Still, I'm pretty sure the part about whether the dynamic appeared above or below a staff was a red herring.
In reply to Ah, yes, you are of course by Marc Sabatella
how do you make it a separate instrument, i dont see that option
In reply to how do you make it a… by benjamindkoo
Hi benjamindkoo: Notice that the rest of this thread is 9-13 years old. Almost everything discussed in it is LOOONG out of date.
Quick answer: If you're in MuseScore, version 4, see https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/notation-instruments-staves-and-sys… for info about adding/removing/changing Instruments. You will want to add two pianos, then remove the bass clef on the top piano and the treble clef on the bottom piano. Then you can add separate dynamics to each clef.
If you run into any further issues or if you're using a version before 4, I recommend starting a new thread in the forum. You might want to refer back to this one: just include the URL in your post.
In reply to Sorry Marc, but I think you by [DELETED] 5
Thank you very much! Personally, I would like a way to set the dynamics as I described above, but this will do just fine. Thanks for the info!
In reply to Sorry Marc, but I think you by [DELETED] 5
I have come across the same problem as rj45, of course composing for piano. So is there indeed any way to have different dynamic settings across a grand staff? Because I would like the bottom hand (not necessarily in bass clef) to play soft while the right hand plays loud. But I would like to be able to have different dynamic markings within one instrument's (piano) staff (grand staff). So if this isn't already a feature of MuseScore, I would love to see it in a future update (hopefully not too far in the future!), whether it be a playback feature or a new compatibility feature or MIDI. Thanks!
In reply to I have come across the same by tlb557
Never mind, I figured out what you meant. Oops! Thanks, Marc.
In reply to Sorry Marc, but I think you by [DELETED] 5
What version are you using? I'm in 2.0.2 and I don't seem to find MIDI properties anywhere in the menus. Can I get some help redirecting me to the correct place?
In reply to What version are you using?… by Colonist_153
This is not about MIDI properties, but about dynamics properties, in Inspector. And you really should upgrade to 2.2.1, our 2.0.2 is out of date since quite long
In reply to What version are you using?… by Colonist_153
Correct place for current dynamics info.:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/dynamics#range-for-dynamics-text
In reply to Sorry Marc, but I think you by [DELETED] 5
I don’t see MIDI properties as an option.
In reply to I don’t see MIDI properties… by ~444~
That's because it isn't 2011 any more :-). In 2018, you can access the velocity overrides for a note in the Inspector (see View / Inspector if you've closed it). You can also control the range for which an individual dynamic marking applies, same place.
In reply to Dynamics would normally be by Marc Sabatella
However, convention has it that single parts in a score have their dynamics placed above the stave, not below as MuseScore defaults to.
In a grand staff dynamics conventionally are placed between the staves.
It would be logical, therefore in a piano score for a different dynamic for the left hand to be placed under the bass clef, and above for the right hand.
IME this is not a strictly binding rule as sometimes the dynamic has to be moved to avoid collisions.
In reply to However, convention has it by ChurchOrganist
If these are the conventions, wouldn't it be just the right time to change MuseScore to adhere to it?
In reply to However, convention has it by ChurchOrganist
Not sure what you mean about single parts in a score having dynamics above. Are you talking about the piano part, other instruments, or vocal parts? In my experience, piano dynamics are always between staves unless there is a specific reason to do otherwise. Single staff *instrumental* parts are always below. Single staff *vocal* parts are generally above. This pretty consistent across all genres of music as far as I have seen, and while I guess there might be regional differences, I do note that Elaine Gould - based in the UK - also recommends that convention.
I don't think I've ever seen dynamics above a single staff instrumental part, whether in the score or in the part.
Uh, this won't because some people use multiple staves of other instruments, like for multiple parts for horn for instance. Then you would have problems with their dynamics.
Also, within piano music, the dynamics are always in the middle, with seperate dynamics per staff a little smaller and lifted/lowered (depending on bass or treble). So, this isn't really good within revelance.
Plus, you can just change the velocity in the bass clef or treble clef to change the power.
Hello, I have been having the same problem. My problem is however, I need my left hand part of the piano to play treble clef as well, but it has to be very quiet or else it will overpower the melody. Your different parts may help, but I don't know how to hide empty staves. Some help would be really appreciated Marc! Thanks!
In reply to Empty Staves by Kdielol
Never mind, although I still don't know how to hide empty staves, I merely deleted the lines that I didn't need in the instruments manage ;D thanks though!
In reply to Problem Solved by Kdielol
The Hide Empty Staves option is in Style / Edit General Style. But as mentioned above, it doesn't work to hide just one staff of a piano part unless you define that piano part to be two instruments of one staff each rather than one instrument of two staves.
In reply to Empty Staves by Kdielol
Using a score for single piano, and as per lasconic' s earlier comment of June 28,2011 (http://musescore.org/en/node/11296#comment-38222), I tried right click (on a dynamic), then MIDI properties, where the dynamic can be applied to its own separate staff.
Listen to the attachment.
Admittedly, the notation of the dynamics is a bit excessive - I did it strictly for experiment.
So... as you stated, if you need your 'left hand part of the piano to play treble clef as well, but it has to be very quiet or else it will overpower the melody', then score the treble clef on the lower staff and assign a softer dynamic strictly to that staff via midi properties.
Regards.
In reply to @Kdielol... Re: separate dynamics for piano grand staff by Jm6stringer
And for the record, while the default in 2.0 it will be the same as 1.3 - dynamics affect all staves of current part - it will be possible to set the range of any dynamic marking to either just the current staff (so only top or bottom staff of piano part) and also to set it to affect the "system" (all staves of all parts).
Old discussion, mas this still may help someone: use the Inspector! With the Inspector, you can assign dynamics (also hairpins) to part (a specific one), or to staff, or to system. Works fine for Grand Staff, works fine in playback.
In reply to Old discussion, mas this… by [DELETED] 26934644
How exactly do you use inspector? I’m trying to transcribe something but am struggling to find it to complete the transcription
In reply to How exactly do you use… by Pyle-No_Appath…
Press F8 to open the inspector if it is not opened already.
Selecting different items will give you different options. You must have a dynamic to see the option to change the Dynamic Range to staff rather than part.
There is more information on the inspector at https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/inspector