Transposing notes in the piano roll editor

You can transpose notes in the piano roll editor by moving them vertically to other pitch positions. This also affects how the selected notes are notated in all applicable layouts.

Prerequisite

  • The lower zone is shown.

  • Key Editor is selected in the lower zone toolbar.

  • You have selected the instruments you want to show in the Key Editor.

Procedure

  1. In the piano roll editor, select the notes you want to transpose.
  2. Transpose the notes in any of the following ways:

    • To move notes up one staff position, such as from C to D, press Alt/Opt-Up Arrow.

    • To move notes down one staff position, such as from D to C, press Alt/Opt-Down Arrow.

    • To transpose notes up a single octave division, such as a half-step (semitone) in 12-EDO or a quarter tone in 24-EDO, press Shift-Alt/Opt-Up Arrow.

    • To transpose notes down a single octave division, such as a half-step (semitone) in 12-EDO or a quarter tone in 24-EDO, press Shift-Alt/Opt-Down Arrow.

    • To transpose notes up an octave, press Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Up Arrow.

    • To transpose notes down an octave, press Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Down Arrow.

    • Click and drag them upwards/downwards.

      Tip

      As you drag, highlights help you to reference durations against the ruler, and pitches against the piano keyboard.

Result

The selected notes are transposed according to their new pitch positions in the piano roll editor.