xml import errors: Musescore vs Dorico
As a recent Finale exile, I’m trying to figure out whether Musescore or Dorico might be better for my purposes. I have a presenting problem, so I may as well start there, to get a sense of things.
I have hundreds of Finale files edited as vocal lead sheets. That is, they consist of a vocal line, with one or two lines of lyrics underlaid below the staff, and chord symbols above. Nothing unusual there, but the main irregularity is that, as an additional “verse 3” I have used the lyric tool to enter a series of four numbers (from 0 to 12, e.g. 2435 or 9101012) above the chord symbols. These numbers correspond to frets on a ukulele, and I use them instead of chord diagrams or tablature.
The problem. When I export the Finale file as an xml and then open it with Musescore, it makes a mess out of my “verse 3” with the fret numbers. Some of the numbers now appear within the staff, or below it, or between the staff and the chord symbols. Like I say, a mess. One of your forum people tried to help me, but with limited success.
In another experiment, I tried opening the same xml file with the entry-level, free version of Dorico, and got a very different, and much better result. This time, the fret numbers appeared as a line, as I entered them originally. The only glitch is that these numbers (i.e. “verse 3” of my lyrics) now appear below the chord symbols (but still above the staff).
So I’m trying to sort things out. Why is this happening? What can be done, if anything, to make the results better? What is Dorico doing that Musescore is not?
To make things less opaque, and at the suggestion of my erstwhile Musescore forum friend, I have attached three files: the xml file and jpg images of the Musescore and Dorico outputs, for the sake of easy comparison.
All of this coming from someone who doesn’t know the first thing about either Musescore or Dorico. I’ve never even created a file in either one.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
ain't misbehavin' - F copy.mxl | 9.58 KB |
Dorico.jpg | 73.06 KB |
MS4.jpg | 66.48 KB |
Comments
Interestingly enough, Sibelius opens your file with the fret numbers above the chords.
In reply to Interestingly enough,… by bobjp
The plot thickens. I wasn't even considering Sibelius!
In reply to The plot thickens. I wasn't… by artlevine
Different programs export and import mxl differently. As you can see.
Download the free version of Sibelius and see that the fretting is above the chord symbols. That version will not export mxl. I exported from the full version and got the same mixed up result in MU4. You can drag the fretting to be above the chords in MU4.
In reply to Different programs export… by bobjp
What about using the Dolet plugin for exporting to MusicXML (in Finale and Sibelius)?
In reply to What about using the Dolet… by Jojo-Schmitz
I read somewhere that the Dolet plugin is applicable to earlier versions of Finale, not version 27, but I could be wrong. Have you tried this with the file I uploaded?
In reply to I read somewhere that the… by artlevine
No, and I won't and can't, I don't own any notation software but MuseScore ;-)
In reply to No, and I won't and can't, I… by Jojo-Schmitz
OK, thanks for your suggestion!
In reply to Different programs export… by bobjp
I think MU4 stands for Mark of the Unicorn, but I'm not sure. I went to their site, but I don't see it there. Is it a music editor? Anyhow, I'm just looking for a one-stop shop for what I need: editing pieces for small ensemble, or for voice, but mostly (right now) salvaging my files with as few errors as possible. One question: using Dorico, can you also drag the fretting to be above the chords? The reason I'm asking is that I've never used Dorico.
In reply to I think MU4 stands for Mark… by artlevine
MuseScore 4.x
In reply to MuseScore 4.x by Jojo-Schmitz
Sorry, I don't understand this message.
In reply to Sorry, I don't understand… by artlevine
That was the reply to your MU4 stands for Mark of the Unicorn
In reply to That was the reply to your… by Jojo-Schmitz
ok, thanks
In reply to MuseScore 4.x by Jojo-Schmitz
This is why I always abbreviate it as "MuS" *shrug*
In reply to This is why I always… by TheHutch
Sorry. Easier for me to type MU4 ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Drat. C+P won't print both arms.
In reply to Sorry. Easier for me to type… by bobjp
In reply to [inline:shrug.png] by bobjp
@artlevine:
See: https://musescore.org/en/node/367730#comment-1255984