MS4.4 — Fretboard diagram improvements
I really appreciate MS4.4's new option to include finger numbering in Fretboard Diagrams! Good choice on priority. IMO indeed this was the most important change to make regarding Fretboard Diagram! Thank you.
But immediately I found myself wanting:
• the option of entering T or t for thumb which is fairly common (and possibly P or p for pulgar)
• a y offset property that vertically positions the finger numbers closer or further from the diagram.
• a choice of finger number font size (Update: Font size is already available in Format>Style>Text Styles>Fretboard diagram fingering style)
• the option to display finger numbers above the diagram
• the option to display finger numbers number IN the diagram in place of the dots. Although dots are standard they are rather meaningless. Seems like a good time to allow a less common but more succinct and meaningful standard.
• the Tab or Space key advancing and selecting the content of the next fingering field
• likewise, clicking a finger field would preselect the existing value
• the option for Show Nut to display even when Fret Number <> 1 (Why mutually exclusive? Have 0 or "None" represent no display of a fret number)
• the option to position the Fret number at any fret (as shown below) rather than only at the diagram's uppermost (i.e. closest to the note) nut:
The second example above is a guitar A6 chord. In cases like this I usually want the fret number at the fret of the root of the chord. In this case, the 5th fret of the E string is the A root. Very helpful for jazz and closed fingering chords.
And there's a small quirk in the UI
If I have Show fingerings toggled on, and there's at least one X or 0 above the diagram, the fingering number size matches my expectation:
If there aren't any Xs or 0s above the diagram the finger numbers below the diagram are pretty tiny:
This appears to have no impact on the in-score display; it's simply a disconcerting UI glitch.
scorster
Comments
Here are some prior thoughts on the topic of Fretboard diagrams.
https://musescore.org/en/node/313074#comment-1040467
BTW, I think the following image illustrates a more refined and focused interface for entering finger numbers:
And there could be the option to allow alternate fingerings:
Thank you for suggesting these features, scorster.
I found this post because I was looking for a way to place the letter T in the fingering below fretboard diagrams to indicate that the thumb frets the string, as occurs in various chords such as Fsus2, Fmaj9, D/F#, D7/F#, which are played in well-known songs. A couple of examples are shown in screenshots.
Please, if/when you implement this, at least allow for the use of the uppercase letter T. This is the character used to represent the thumb in most publications, at least for music in pop/rock/folk and related genres. Including other options for the thumb (t, P, p) would be useful as well.
Looking forward to having this option available. In the meantime, Canva is working fairly well to add the letter T to diagrams but the process is time-consuming. Trying to place a T in the correct spot as text, within Musescore, causes the fretboard diagram to shift its position, meaning that it’s not possible to align the T with the other finger numbers. Inserting the text below the diagram has the effect of pushing the diagram away from the added text. Maybe there is a way to get the alignment to work but I haven’t been able to do it.
Much appreciation to everyone who is working on adding new features to fretboard diagrams!
In reply to Thank you for suggesting… by edwardjc
"Trying to place a T in the correct spot as text, within Musescore, causes the fretboard diagram to shift its position, meaning that it’s not possible to align the T with the other finger numbers. Inserting the text below the diagram has the effect of pushing the diagram away from the added text. "
Disabling Auto-place (in Properties, or via Alt + drag, or via a shortcut to be defined) of text and fretboard diagram elements avoids these inconveniences.
In reply to "Trying to place a T in the… by cadiz1
Thanks @cadiz1. It's great to know this workaround. This is definitely a lot simpler than what I had been doing
In reply to Thank you for suggesting… by edwardjc
@edwardjc Thanks for your feedback on my request!
Until MuseScore 4 allows T, t, P, p in Fret Diagram fingering fields everyone needing those symbols must find a workaround.
The recommendation by @cadiz1 (to disable auto placement on a T text object) is viable, but that's still a lot of work on your part, to painstakingly place the T symbol wherever needed along side the other fingerings.
In case you're interested, on Github I've made many more requests and suggestions regarding chord diagrams and MuseScore's Fretboard Diagram UI. One significant enhancement proposed there is the addition of three Style link-buttons which transport the user to important collections of properties buried deep in the Styles panel.
Here are three example:
• an E chord, in open position
![Fretboard Diagram properties editor proposal.png]( "Fretboard Diagram properties editor proposal.png")
• a Bb chord in 6th position, with a t indicating a thumb 'round the back of the neck
• a Bb major scale in 6th position (in horizontal orientation) and an O indicating the root notes
In reply to @edwardjc Thanks for your… by scorster
"(to disable auto placement on a T text object) is viable, but that's still a lot of work on your part, to painstakingly place the T symbol wherever needed along side the other fingerings."
A lot of work, that's really saying a lot :) Once auto-place is deactivated, you move with the arrow keys for maximum precision. It only takes a few seconds. And it's not in the majority of fretboard diagrams, far from it. Of course, it's a workaround until something better comes along. But there are so many other important features that are really more essential that are still awaiting implementation (or return from implementation)... that an easy workaround is not the end of the world...
In reply to @edwardjc Thanks for your… by scorster
@scorster Yes, I've been enjoying reading your excellent ideas and requests on that Github thread lately. So many great suggestions. That was part of the path that led me to this post. Keep up the great work!