Transpose Percussion Notes is easily my favorite features of Finale. Apparently it has been there since 2011, maybe even 2008, but I didn't discover it until about a year ago. Holy smokes! Talk about added efficiency as well as improved parts. That's right...percussion layout (which had always been super cumbersome and a honestly a pain in the arse) are now much easier to manage. They will take less time to create and will look and sound better. It's a win-win!
In order for these to work, you do need to spend a little time learning about percussion maps.
My friend, CJ Garcia, has already made a GREAT blog post about how to create your own custom percussion map and I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to learn his system. It will save you literally hours in future projects and your parts will look better and will also playback correctly (probably).
https://www.finalemusic.com/blog/setting-custom-percussion-staff-finale/
Anyway...let's assume you have set up your percussion map (or even that you're using one of the many built in ones) and are writing a simple drum set part to accompany a choir (since that's what I'm doing right at this moment when I was struck with the urge to make this). Here's where you are right now...
In order for these to work, you do need to spend a little time learning about percussion maps.
My friend, CJ Garcia, has already made a GREAT blog post about how to create your own custom percussion map and I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to learn his system. It will save you literally hours in future projects and your parts will look better and will also playback correctly (probably).
https://www.finalemusic.com/blog/setting-custom-percussion-staff-finale/
Anyway...let's assume you have set up your percussion map (or even that you're using one of the many built in ones) and are writing a simple drum set part to accompany a choir (since that's what I'm doing right at this moment when I was struck with the urge to make this). Here's where you are right now...
But then you realize that part was supposed to switch from ride cymbal to hi-hat at measure 29. What do you do?
Option 1 - Delete it all and re-enter everything
Option 2 - Speedy Entry and then drag each ride cymbal note down to the hi-hat space
OPTION 3
TRANSPOSE PERCUSSION NOTES
Never fear, what once was a time-consuming and aggravating correction is now SUPER quick and easy to fix.
1. Using the Selection Tool, highlight the measures which contain the notes to be changed.
2. Utilities --> Transpose Percussion Notes
The "Transpose Percussion Note Types" window will open
Select Ride Cymbal, then use the drop down menu to select Hi-Hat Closed.
Press OK
And there you go. Seriously. How easy was THAT?
Transpose Percussion Notes has changed my life. I no longer dread having to make percussion parts and my percussionists are reaping the benefits of better parts, too.
If you liked this and want to see more, please subscribe to my newsletter. I promise it will be useful and will not be annoying and/or a waste of your time. I send out newsletters about once every 6 weeks with project updates, links to recent articles, links to my music that I am making available for free (I've lost my mind!) and more. But it's all useful and on point.
SUBSCRIBE HERE