Offset functions

I use the offset functions mainly for moving chords within bars, and repositioning rehearsal marks and text boxes. A template works but only to a certain point. Customizing the final product requires that I select a bunch of chords, and then use the offset arrows, which I find tedious and too small. They remind me of the small arrows used in the Microsoft Office groups. I wish they would expand them right across the bottom of the button...but I digress :).

I know the musical protocol is to fill the measures with slashes, and then place the chords over the measures, aligned with the slashes. I place my chords inside the measures so that my scores can reside on a single page. For longer scores, placing chords on top makes a single page score cluttered and almost unreadable.

In my case, I virtually never use the notation feature in Musescore. I only create chord charts. I built a template that provides a different default offset. For example, the offsets are so that single chords placed inside a measure (instead of on top) reside with a decent space between the left measure line and the chord. In general, that works well but it's not a practical solution for me. So, I build my chord charts with a very basic template, and then fine tune the score how I'd like it to appear.

Musescore is king when it comes to my needs. It's the only software on the planet that does what I need. I love it!

Thanks for chiming in, Fly.

Edit mode doesn't work on multiple elements at once. Or does it? When I have single chords in several bars, I like to select all the chords and nudge them to the middle of a bar. I know that's not how it's done in musical scores but it matches my hand written scores of the past twenty years. The little arrows allow me to nudge all single chords at once. Problem is, the little arrows are not only counter-intuitive (work in the opposite direction) but they are well......too small. A shortcut key would be wonderful.

I'm not one to complain about outstanding software like Musescore that is offered up for free, but batch functions would be so nice to have :).

EDIT: I could build a template the places all chords in the middle of the bars by default, but that theory falls apart when I need two chords in a bar. I would still need the offset function. It's easier to use the original Musescore architecture, and then nudge things as needed, with shortcut keys.

Perhaps it would help if I posted a typical score. It is attached. I know that a seasoned musician would say, "What the heck is he thinking??!!"

Oddly enough, I work with two studio players, and they find my charts very nice to work with :). All the same, I know the charts are completely against conservatory theory, but whatever greases your wheels, right :). For me, that's where Musescore's lack of restrictions makes the program really shine. No other program provides these advantages.