Appearances/Styles of harmonics - Dorico Elements - 6.1

Dorico Elements Help

Product
Dorico Elements
Version
6.1
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Webhelp
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Both artificial and natural harmonics can be notated in different ways. In Dorico Elements, it is possible to indicate the desired sounding pitch, either the stopped or touched pitch, or both stopped and touched pitches for individual harmonics.

In this documentation we refer to “styles” of artificial harmonics, because one artificial harmonic style indicates the use of a different performance technique, and “appearances” of natural harmonics, as their different appearances do not indicate different performance techniques.

Natural harmonics

Circle above

Shows a harmonic circle symbol on the notehead side of notes. Usually indicates the desired sounding pitch of the harmonic. Used for natural harmonics on staves that do not belong to fretted instruments by default, such as violin.

Diamond notehead

Changes the notehead of notes to a diamond notehead. The diamond notehead appears black/filled when the note is a quarter note or shorter, and white/unfilled when the note is a half note or longer. Usually indicates the touched pitch required. Used for natural harmonics on fretted instrument notation staves by default.

Uses the Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

White diamond notehead

Changes the notehead of notes to a diamond notehead that is always unfilled, regardless of the duration of notes. Usually indicates the touched pitch required.

Uses the White Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

On tablature, the touched fret is always shown for natural harmonics, regardless of the selected appearance. If the touched fret cannot be calculated, a pink question mark is shown.

Artificial harmonics

Normal

Shows two noteheads: one indicating the stopped pitch, the other the touched pitch. The touched pitch is automatically calculated based on the partial; the default partial is the second partial. On tablature, the stopped fret is shown on the left and the touched fret is shown on the right in parentheses. This is the default appearance of artificial harmonics on all staves.

Uses the White Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

Normal artificial harmonic on notation staff
Normal artificial harmonic on tablature
Pinch

Shows two noteheads: one indicating the stopped pitch, the other the sounding pitch. The sounding pitch is automatically calculated based on the partial; the default partial is the second partial. On tablature, only the stopped fret is shown.

Uses the White Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

Note

Intended for fretted instruments only. A pinch is produced by the performer catching a resonating string at a node near the pick-ups, producing a high-pitched squeal. Also known as a “false harmonic” or “squeal”.

Pinch harmonic on notation staff
Pinch harmonic on tablature
Single notehead (sounding)

Shows a single notehead indicating the sounding pitch. On tablature, the stopped fret is shown on the left and the sounding pitch is shown on the right in parentheses.

Uses the White Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

Single notehead (sounding) artificial harmonic on notation staff
Single notehead (sounding) artificial harmonic on tablature
Single notehead (stopped)

Shows a single notehead indicating the stopped pitch. On tablature, the stopped fret is shown on the left and the touched fret is shown on the right in parentheses.

Uses the White Diamond Noteheads notehead set.

Single notehead (stopped) artificial harmonic on notation staff
Single notehead (stopped) artificial harmonic on tablature