Like many things in Finale, the text tool offers a lot of power and control, but also many options to navigate. Here’s how to tame the type.
Written By Jason Loffredo
Perfecting page layout in Finale
Perfect page layout is essential to creating quality output from music notation software. Finale offers a multitude of options to format the music on the page, but understanding where the options are is important in the quest to conquer Finale.
Staff tool strategies in Finale
The importance of the Staff Tool in Finale cannot be underestimated. This very large series of videos will be well worth your time, because a deep understanding of how staves work is a critical part of “conquering Finale.”
The measure number matrix in Finale
Measure numbers in Finale are a bit complex, incredibly flexible, and maybe a little over-engineered. But with this video tutorial series, you don’t need to choose between the red or blue pill when it comes to working with measure numbers; you can have it all.
Mastering the measure tool in Finale
Measure for measure, this video tutorial series sets the bar for working with Finale’s Measure Tool. From the basics of the Measure Attributes dialog and custom barlines, to beat and note positioning, group barlines, display options, split measures, and more, it’s all here!
Repeats redux in Finale
A complete video tutorial series on everything to do with repeats in Finale. From setting up basic repeat structures, to endings, bracket adjustments, text repeats like D.S. al Coda, complex scenarios, and more, it’s all here!
Cooperating with chords in Finale
A complete video tutorial series on everything to do with chord symbols in Finale. Manual input, MIDI input, staff analysis, chord definition, alternate and capo chords, suffix editing, fretboards, positioning, styles, document options, and playback — it’s all here!
Tricks for lyrics in Finale
Conquer the powerful Lyrics tool in Finale and you’ll be a master. We start with the “Type Into Score” feature and go on to much more in this series of video tutorials. Hyphens, spaces, lyric elisions, editing, clearing and deleting lyrics, copying and cloning lyrics… and that’s just the first of eight videos.
An Expression Tool expedition in Finale
Understanding how expressions work in Finale is essential for creating dynamics, tempo indications, and so much more. These detailed video tutorials cover every aspect of expressions, including design, placement, positioning, playback, as well as how to transfer them between files and get creative with their use.
Outsmarting Smart Shapes in Finale
Smart Shapes in Finale are lines, trills, slurs, octave lines, hairpins, pedal lines and other objects that “smartly” adjust their positioning based on the layout the score and the items to which they are attached.