Introduction to Finale

Winter, 2010
Course Website


Instructor:
Jon Newton
info@oregonmts.com

Syllabus

Course Site: http://oregonmts.com/mts/courses/winter2010/finaleW10/
Instructor: Jon Newton
email: info@oregonmts.com

Resources: Students are welcome to use the Recording Arts and Music Production website, at this URL: http://www.ramp.pdx.edu. There are many suggestions as to helpful books and applications, as well as support tutorials and Power Point presentations. The OMTS password will also allow navigation of this site.

Course Description: Gives students a first look and a thorough introduction to this difficult but powerful notation software. Strategies for understanding the interface, getting started quickly, making music look "professional," and avoiding pitfalls are covered in detail. Some little-known power-user concepts are also introduced. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to create great-looking sheet music

Prerequisites and Individualization: Students are assumed to have basic math, computer, email, and Internet skills. Students may suggest modifications to assignments that support projects in which they are currently involved.

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Schedule

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Classes

Getting Started

Part 1: Setting Up on a Macintosh Computer

•Setup Accounts
•Mac Orientation
•Audio MIDI Setup/Finale MIDI Setup
•Create, Save, Modify Files
•Browser Orientation

Part 2: Account Orientation

•Opening and Saving a Finale File

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Entering Data in Finale

Part 1: Setting Up a Finale Project

•Tutorial 1: Setting Up a Finale File

• Opening Finale
• Using the Launch window
• Working with the Setup Wizard to setup a new file

Part 2: Simple Entry

•Tutorial 2: Simple Entry

• Downloading and unzipping files from the Internet
• The Finale document window
• Working with Finale Preferences
• Working with Finale tools
• Entering data using Simple Entry tool by clicking and typing
• Copying & pasting
• Changing pitches
• Applying accidentals to notes in Simple Entry
• Setting up a MIDI keyboard to use with Finale
• Entering data using Simple Entry tool via a MIDI keyboard

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Simple Entry, cont.

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Speedy Entry

Tutorial 3: Speedy Entry

• Setting up a new file using a Template
• The Speedy Entry Editing Frame
• Speedy Entry keyboard commands
• Editing with Speedy Entry
• Working with chords in Speedy Entry
• Working with accidentals in Speedy Entry
• Tuplets
• Inserting notes and rests
• Erasing music
• Entering music with Speedy Entry
• Selecting, copying, pasting
• Deleting measures
• More about Speedy Entry
• Playback Controls
• Setting the tempo for playback

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Part 1: Speedy Entry, cont.

Part 2: Working With Lead Sheets

Tutorial 4: Making a Lead Sheet

• Spacing 1-2
• Adjusting Layout: Measures
• Locked Measures & the Fit Music window
• Changing the key
• Undo-ing
• Changing the time signature & 8th-note beaming
• Page & Scroll View
• Adding lyrics: Typing Into Score
• Lyric Positioning
• The Edit Lyrics window
• The Clear Items window
• Adding lyrics: Click Assignment
• Adding a second verse
• Repeats
• Contextual menus in Finale
• Adding Chord Symbols: Typing Into Score
• Adding Chord Symbols: Using a MIDI keyboard
• More about Chord Symbols

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Part 1: Working With Lead Sheets, cont.

Part 2: Working With Lead Sheets, cont.

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Part 1: Working With Lead Sheets, cont.

Part 2: Working With Lead Sheets, cont.

Tutorial 5: Articulations, Expressions & Smart Shapes

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Part 1: Articulations, Expressions & Smart Shapes

Tutorial 5: Articulations, Expressions & Smart Shapes

•Entering Basic Articulations
•Entering Articulations using Apply Articulations
•Using the Selection Tool with Articulations
•Entering Articulations using Metatools
•Programming Articulation Metatools
•Replacing Articulations using Metatools
•Creating new Articulations
•Entering Expressions
•Expression Metatools
•Creating your own Expressions
•Using Libraries
•The Smart Shape Tool
•Palette Preferences
•Adding a Note-Attached Expression: Slur
•Adding a Measure-Attached Expression: Hairpin

Part 2: Articulations, Expressions & Smart Shapes, cont.

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Part 1: Layers. Layout & Printing

Tutorial 6: Layers, Layout & Printing

•Layer Options
•The Layer Menu
•Entering a Second Layer in Speedy Entry
•Working with Layers
•Show Active Layer Only
•Move/Copy Layers
•Partial Measure Selection
•Transposition
•TBA

Part 2: Layers, Layout & Printing, cont.

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TBA

Part 1: Layers, Layout & Printing, cont.

Part 2: Layers, Layout & Printing, cont.

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