Changing Instruments (Finale)

A very common question among beginning and intermediate users is the question of how to change instruments in the middle of a part. Such as Alto Sax switching to Clarinet for 16 measures, then back to Alto Sax.

It used to be an enormous pain in the butt to make this look right, let along playback correctly. But a few versions ago, Finale added a feature that has made it SO easy. I'll walk you through it.

Let's imagine you are working on an arrangement of this piece...

(this obviously isn't a real arrangement, but just something I put together for this example to demonstrate the process).

Now let's say that (for some reason) you want the clarinet player to switch to alto sax at measure 17, then back to clarinet at measure 33. SUPER EASY!

STEP 1:
Highlight the measures that will be changed. Include the 8 measure multirest at the end of the phrase.

With these measures highlighted, go to Utilities -> Change Instrument

Selecting "Change Instrument" will bring up a new dialog box, where you select which instrument you are changing to. Select Alto Sax.

Finale will work it's magic and in seconds....VOILA!  (not viola). The correct transposition is made, the key signature change is made, and even the playback sounds are changed. Very cool.

But wait....there is one thing missing. You will need to add the "To Alto Sax" and "To Bb Clarinet" indications yourself. Be sure to create the indication as an expression (not as text, like the title).

And that's it. You're done. You did it!




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