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.”
Written By Jason Loffredo
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.
Acing articulations in Finale
In Finale, an “articulation” is any character from a font set (or a shape) that gets attached to a note or rest. Learn everything you need to know and more about how to create, change, swap, and position articulations, along with some info specifically for Finale v27 and SMuFL articulations.
Layers, layers, layers in Finale
In Finale you can use up to four different independent lines of notes and rests, known as “layers”, per bar. We layer on the knowledge in these tutorials, starting with the basic properties of layers and how to navigate between them, and then move on to hiding and showing layers and working with their advanced options.