special characters
I need to indicate fingering with a number and slanted dash before the number (either sloping up or sloping down). I can do this with a number and a line, but it really slows things down. I'd like ONE palette element that I could drag to the score. I've tried Shift-clicking to select both the line and the number, but it only selects the number.
Is there a way I can do this? I'm using the STRAIGHT LINE from the LINES palette. I then shorten it and drag the end up/down. If I use a note-anchored line, I crash the MuseScore. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
See example of what I want in the attached image. But instead of TWO palette items, I want this in ONE.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Screenshot 2025-04-08 at 11.23.16 PM.png | 34.28 KB |
Comments
OK, I have a not-very-elegant workaround (Mac). Trying to change formatting via Styles doesn't work reliably. For example, I change the font but the font doesn't change for the appropriate palette items. So this is how I went about things...
I made my own custom font, so hitting A gives me the number 1 with an upwards-slanting dash; the S key gives me 1 with a downwards-slanting dash. I used Font Forge to do this, and generated a True Type font. I loaded the font using Extensis Connect (my font management software). As I tweaked the font and regenerated it, Extensis Connect would not see the changes. I shut everything down and tossed the font. Regenerated it again, restarted Extensis Connect and restarted MuseScore. Finally it works.
What I have to do is drag a palette item to a note on the score... let's say "p". I double-click to select it, then move to the TEXT palette and select the PROPERTIES tab. There I can select my font. It changes the letter "p" to "1 with an upwards-slanting dash". Then I Command-Shift-drag it back to the palette. I do this for numbers 1 through 4, with upwards- and downwards-slanting dashes.
This is not a workaround most people could handle. I really wish I could make a palette item from scratch, manipulating the dashes as I need to and then saving it. This is what I did in Finale. I don't mind adjusting to a new program (Finale is retiring), but this workaround is a bit silly not to mention it's taken several days. I'll see how everything works going forward.
I'm attaching a screenshot... the numbers are not placed with any logic; I just put them in the score to see if I could. I also made bold versions of p, i, m and a as I use these to indicate rest strokes (classical guitar).
In reply to OK, I have a not-very… by ackoffk1
This is very easy to do in Musescore 3 using its built-in Image Capture: https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/image-capture . You can create a SVG (Scaleable Vector Graphic, which supports transparency), and save it. Then once you use it in a score you can drag it to a palette. You can install MS3 alongside MS4 to allow you to create your custom images.
In reply to This is very easy to do in… by Brer Fox
I tried SVG files using Adobe Illustrator but couldn't get them to work. I did not use MuseScores image capture, but will look into it. Thank you.
Using existing font elements, I can come up with an approximation by adding "Combining raise" and "Combining lower" symbols from the Master Palette. I had to tweak this by making the 3 subscript and then by making it larger. There may be better symbols in there somewhere. At least you can combine them and add them to a custom palette.
![Screenshot_20250411_170019.png]( "Screenshot_20250411_170019.png")
In reply to Using existing font elements… by underquark
What font? What font elements? I did look but didn't find any. This looks possible.
In reply to Using existing font elements… by underquark
This is very helpful - thanks so much! Got it now!
In reply to This is very helpful -… by ackoffk1
I have found a fairly simple method. I use the glissando from the palette and disable playback in the properties panel. Also delete the text "gliss" and save it in your custom panel.
In reply to I have found a fairly simple… by Hartmut
Thank you! Much appreciated!