Assigning notes to strings

You can change the string on which individual notes belonging to string instruments are played; for example, to allow you to specify the correct harmonic. Many notes can be played on multiple strings, depending on where along its length the string is stopped.

Assigning notes to strings can be useful for glissando lines or fingering shifts, as the string and finger position required to play the note affects the direction of these changes. However, the string number is not shown in the music. You can instead input string indicators and/or fingerings, which can help string players understand the string on which they should play.

Note

You can only change the assigned string of notes belonging to string instruments, such as violin, cello, or guitar.

Prerequisite

The lower zone is shown.
Properties is selected in the lower zone toolbar.

Procedure

Select the notes whose assigned string you want to change. You can do this in Write mode and Engrave mode.

Note
If selecting multiple notes at once, select notes only in staves of the same instrument type. For example, select multiple Cs in Violin 1 and Violin 2 staves.
In the Properties panel, activate String in the Notes and Rests group.
Select the string you want from the menu.

The string number for the instrument is shown, followed by the fundamental pitch and the octave number of that string in parentheses. For example, the lowest cello string is expressed as 4 (C2).

Note
The options available in the menu depend on the selected pitches and the instrument type.

Result

The string to which the selected notes are assigned is changed.

Note

If you subsequently change the pitches of notes, String is automatically deactivated for all notes that can no longer be played on their assigned string.