Because a metronome marking generally appears in all parts, it’s best to create it as an expression, which allows you to specify in which staves it will appear. (Note that you can also generate full-featured metronome marking expressions with the Create Tempo Marking Plug-in plug-in. See Create Tempo Marking Plug-in). See also Engraver Font.
To create a metronome marking (such as )
Keystrokes |
Resultant marking: |
Lower-case x, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
|
Lower-case e, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
™ |
Lower-case q, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
™ |
Lower-case q, then lower-case k, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
|
Lower-case h, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
™ |
Lower-case w, then option–shift-\, then option-numbers |
|
In the Maestro music font, the x, e, q, h, and w characters correspond to the , , , , and symbols, respectively; a lower-case k produces the dot; option-shift– backslash (\) creates the equal sign; and the small numbers are when you press option while pressing a number key.
You can use multiple fonts in the same expression. Simply highlight the text you want to change, and then, from the Text Menu, choose Font to edit the font, size or style.
To define the metronome marking for playback
Note: To easily record, or ‘conduct,’ a unique tempo change for any region, use TempoTap.
To create complex metronome markings
The usual method of creating metronome markings (above) is quick and easy, but it can’t handle sophisticated tempo indications like these:
In these cases, you can use Finale’s Shape Designer to create metronome indications as complex as you wish.
We’ve provided a swing indication as a Shape Expression in your default library. You can use this indication, duplicate and edit it, or create your own using the Shape Designer.
To hide the scratch staff