Entering notes with the mouse

To add a note to the score using the mouse, proceed as follows:

Procedure

  1. Make the staff active.

    Notes are always inserted on the active staff.

  2. Select the desired note value.
  3. If you select the note value by clicking on a symbol on the extended toolbar, the Insert Note tool is automatically selected – otherwise select the Insert Note tool on the toolbar or context menu.
  4. Select a Quantize value.

    The Quantize value determines the spacing between notes. If you set Quantize to 1/1 you only can add notes at downbeats. If you set Quantize to 1/8, you can add notes at eighth note positions, etc.

  5. Click in the staff and keep the mouse button pressed.

    The Insert Note tool changes into a note symbol (showing the note exactly as it would be inserted in the score).

  6. Move the mouse horizontally to find the correct position.
  7. Move the mouse vertically to find the correct pitch.

    Figure: Accidentals are shown beside the note to indicate the current pitch.

    Note

    If the “Show Note Info by the Mouse” option is activated in the Preferences dialog (Scores–Editing page), the position and pitch of the note is also shown in a “tooltip” next to the pointer while you are dragging. If you find that screen redraws are too sluggish, you may want to deactivate this option.

  8. Release the mouse button.

    The note appears in the score.

    Important

    If you activate the “Animate Note Cursor” option in the Preferences dialog (Scores–Editing page), you do not need to keep the mouse button pressed to see the note as it would be inserted in the score.