Bracketed noteheads

Bracketed noteheads are often used to indicate that notes are optional, editorial, not played in all playthroughs in music with repeats, or pressed down but not fully struck on the piano. In Dorico Pro, you can show brackets on any notehead.

Notehead brackets extend slightly above and below noteheads so it is clear which notes are included in each bracket.

Figure 1. A phrase containing round and square notehead brackets

You can also show brackets on noteheads on notation staves and tablature independently of each other.

By default, bracketed notes have reduced velocity, causing them to sound quieter in playback than normal notes.

The following types of notehead brackets are available in Dorico Pro:

Round notehead brackets

Round notehead brackets have a similar appearance to slurs, but vertical.

By default, round brackets on single noteheads use the font glyph on notation staves and the drawn curve on tablature. In Engrave mode, round notehead brackets that use the drawn curve have handles that allow you to change their shape. Round notehead brackets that use the font glyph do not have handles in Engrave mode.

Note

On tablature, round brackets are automatically shown around the second note/chord and all subsequent notes/chords in tie chains. If you show brackets around all noteheads in tie chains on tablature, these automatic notehead brackets are included.

Figure 2. Round brackets on single noteheads on a notation staff
Figure 3. Round bracket on a chord on a notation staff
Figure 4. Round brackets on single noteheads on tablature
Figure 5. Round bracket on a chord on tablature
Square notehead brackets

Square notehead brackets comprise a straight vertical line with horizontal hooks at the top and bottom. Dorico Pro automatically adjusts the length of square brackets to ensure they do not end on staff lines and their hooks remain visible.

Figure 6. Square brackets on single noteheads on a notation staff
Figure 7. Square bracket on a chord on a notation staff
Figure 8. Square brackets on single noteheads on tablature
Figure 9. Square bracket on a chord on tablature

Video tutorial about bracketed noteheads (English)