Accidental selection during MIDI input

Dorico interprets MIDI data to create accidentals, and automatically determines the spelling of notes according to preset rules.

Dorico automatically displays an accidental if one is required. It selects a sharp or flat based on key signature and context.

The algorithm for this takes into account the key signature and the intervals between successive notes and chords. Therefore Dorico prefers sharp accidentals in a key with sharps, and flats in a key with flats. If you change the spelling of an accidental, Dorico follows your spelling preference whenever that note is used again in the score.

If you input notes with accidentals outside the key signature, Dorico uses sharps if the figure is rising, and flats if it is falling. The spelling is also calculated vertically, meaning a simpler interval is produced where possible, such as a major third rather than a diminished fourth.

Dorico makes retrospective changes to how it has spelled accidentals, depending on how your input develops. For example, in C major, if you input a sequence of pitches C-E-G, but then input a G, the G is respelled as an A.

You can disable this setting in Write > Note Input Options.