Inputting your first notes

In this section, you learn how to input notes. You can start inputting notes without having to first add a time signature or key signature.

Prerequisite

  • You have set up your MIDI keyboard.

    Note

    If you have not set up a MIDI keyboard yet, you can start inputting notes with the computer keyboard.

  • You have added a piano player in Setup mode.

  • You are in Write mode.

Procedure

  1. Select the rest that was automatically inserted next to the clef when you added a solo player.
  2. Start note input in any of the following ways:

    • Press Shift-N or Return.

    • Double-click the rest.

    The caret is activated and appears on the staff.

  3. In the Notes panel, click a duration.
    Note

    By default, Dorico Pro selects a quarter note (crotchet) for you.

  4. Start playing notes on the MIDI keyboard, or press A, B, C, D, E, F, G on the computer keyboard to input the corresponding pitches.

    If you want higher or lower pitch for the note that Dorico Pro inputs for you, you can force a different register.

    • To input a note above the previously input note, press Shift-Alt/Opt as well as the letter for the note, for example, Shift-Alt/Opt-A.

    • To input a note below the previously input note, press Ctrl-Alt (Windows) or Ctrl (macOS) as well as the letter for the note, for example, Ctrl-Alt-A (Windows) or Ctrl-A (macOS).

    Note

    You must press Ctrl on Mac, not Cmd.

Result

The pitches you enter or play in are input as notes.

Example

Figure 1. Input notes with the caret still active after the final note