Inputting chord symbols

You can input chord symbols using the chord symbols popover, both for all instruments or only for individual instruments. You can also open the chord symbols popover during note input; however, inputting a chord symbol stops note input.

Prerequisite

If you want to input chord symbols using a MIDI device, you have connected the MIDI device you want to use.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, select an item on the staff and at the rhythmic position where you want to input a chord symbol.
  2. Open the chord symbols popover in any of the following ways:

    • Press Shift-Q.

    • In the Notations toolbox, click Popovers Popovers button, then Chord Symbols Chord Symbols button.

    Note

    If you selected an item on a staff that has local chord symbols at earlier rhythmic positions, the chord symbols popover is automatically set to input local chord symbols when it opens.

  3. Enter the chord symbol you want into the chord symbols popover in any of the following ways:

    • Enter the appropriate letters and numbers using the computer keyboard.

    • Play the chord in the Keyboard panel.

    • Play the chord using a MIDI keyboard.

  4. Optional: Press Space to advance the popover to the next beat according to the current time signature.
    Tip

    You can also navigate the popover forwards and backwards by different amounts.

  5. Press Return to close the popover.

Result

The chord symbol specified is input. If you selected an item belonging to an instrument that was not already set to show chord symbols in the current layout, the corresponding player is automatically updated to show chord symbols for all instruments.

Global chord symbols apply to all instruments in the project and appear on all staves set to show chord symbols. Local chord symbols only apply to the selected instrument. Local chord symbols always appear, even if global chord symbols exist at the same rhythmic positions.

Note

The chord symbol may look different to what you entered into the popover because Dorico for iPad provides a single default chord symbol appearance preset that applies to all chord symbols.

After Completing This Task

You can hide/show chord symbols above specific staves and hide/show chord diagrams alongside them.