Tempo (for playback)

This entry includes information on setting actual tempos for playback. To create metronome marking tempo indications

(), see Metronome markings. See also Tempo markings.

To easily record, or ‘conduct,’ a unique tempo change for any region, use TempoTap.

For information regarding tempo fluctuations while recording or transcribing a real-time performance in the Transcription Mode of HyperScribe, see also Playback and Transcribing a sequence . 

Human Playback automatically interprets tempo markings and applies them to playback. If Human Playback is turned on in the Playback Controls, use the Human Playback Preferences dialog box to customize Human Playback’s interpretation.

To set the initial playback tempo

The tempo you set with this procedure is the default starting tempo Finale uses when it plays back your score by “reading” the notated, quantized music. If your score is a transcription of a performance you recorded with the Transcription Mode, however, you also have the option of hearing a playback with the actual tempo of the original performance, including any fluctuations. For a complete discussion of this process (capturing MIDI data), see To specify playback parameters.

1. From the Window Menu, choose Playback Controls. Playback Controls appears.
2. Click the expand arrow. The Playback Controls expands, offering additional controls.
3. Enter the starting tempo in the Tempo text box. The number you type here is the standard metronome setting (beats per minute). Use the popup menu to set the note value—quarter note, for example.

Note: Expressions defined to set the playback tempo (such as those created with the Create Tempo Marking plug-in), override the tempo set in the playback controls.

To modify the playback tempo

At any point in the score, you can insert a functional tempo marking (such as Presto or Adagio) that will actually change the tempo during playback (see Tempo markings). For gradual tempo changes, see TempoTap.