Instructions for Instrumentalists

Discuss general Sibelius issues here. Get help with Sibelius and Sibelius Support.
rimore01
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:51 am
Sibelius Version: 7.5
Operating System: Mac

Post by rimore01 » Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:54 am

I am writing an arrangement for organ and brass ensemble. Is there a way I can write a performance instruction only once and have it show up on all individual parts? Thanks.


MikeLyons
Posts: 1631
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:20 pm
Sibelius Version: Ult. 2024.3.1/7.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by MikeLyons » Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:25 am

Use a system text style. Plain system text will work fine for performance instructions.

The text will only show on the top staff of the score, but will appear at the same bar of the score in all of the parts.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2023.6, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 3.3.2, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk

rimore01
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:51 am
Sibelius Version: 7.5
Operating System: Mac

Post by rimore01 » Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:05 pm

I think I understand. Don't I have to anchor it to a note or stave though? Maybe I am unclear on that process. I usually select a note and then type, but it only shows up on that line then.

MikeLyons
Posts: 1631
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:20 pm
Sibelius Version: Ult. 2024.3.1/7.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by MikeLyons » Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:39 pm

No. Don't use a staff text style, use a system text style. When selected (after you've typed) system text appears purple, staff text appears blue.

Rt-click will bring up a context menu. Click above the staff and clear of any object.
Follow the menu to Text->Other system Text->Plain system text
Type your instructions.
Click outside the text frame.
rtclick menu plain system text.png
rtclick menu plain system text.png (132.78 KiB) Viewed 1976 times
system text in action.png
system text in action.png (228.58 KiB) Viewed 1976 times
Now go and read the manual about the differences. This is a very important aspect of Sib's text editing. Press F1 with Sib open. The section you want is Chapter 5. In my manual it starts on page 477. Yours may differ depending on your version of Sib.
Last edited by MikeLyons on Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2023.6, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 3.3.2, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk

rimore01
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:51 am
Sibelius Version: 7.5
Operating System: Mac

Post by rimore01 » Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:47 pm

OMG! this is great. THANK YOU!

MikeLyons
Posts: 1631
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:20 pm
Sibelius Version: Ult. 2024.3.1/7.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by MikeLyons » Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:22 am

There are lots of different text styles already set up - and editable if they don't do what you want by default - some are system styles and some are staff styles.

There are special styles for tempo marks, titles, subtitles composer and so on which are already set up to be positioned where they look best and which will appear on all parts automatically.

Staff styles include special styles for dynamics, playing techniques, instructions for indicvidual players etc. which will only appear on the part where you place them (eg pizz/arco for string players). Get to know them. Some of them have keyboard shortcuts to help you insert them quickly. ([ctrl][shift][alt]t will insert tempo text, for example.)

Many text items will playback - Tempo text will affect the speed, dynamic markings will change the volume, pizz and arco will play pizz and arco.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2023.6, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 3.3.2, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk

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