Vibrato bar dives and returns

Dorico Pro Help

Product
Dorico Pro
Version
4.3
Language
English
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

The vibrato bar dive and return is a technique performed on electric guitars with a vibrato bar, where the performer uses the vibrato bar to loosen then tighten strings after notes start to sound. This produces the characteristic downwards-then-upwards pitch fluctuation.

In Dorico Pro, each vibrato bar dive and return comprises two vibrato bar bend items, where the first vibrato bar bend ends on the same note that the second vibrato bar bend starts on. Vibrato bar bends each join two notes.

Vibrato bar dives and returns with bend intervals of up to a whole step (tone) are reflected in playback.

On notation staves, vibrato bar dives and returns are notated using an angled line between the noteheads at the start and end, meaning they appear the same as guitar bends. On tablature, vibrato bar dives and returns are notated using two straight lines that form a V and a bend interval shown at the point. The fret number of the middle note is hidden and the fret number of the end note is parenthesized automatically.

Vibrato bar dive and return on notation staff
Vibrato bar dive and return on tablature

Sequences of consecutive vibrato bar bends on notes with the same pitch direction, such as E-D-C, are notated on tablature with an additional line protrusion beyond the staff and bend interval for each vibrato bar bend.

Consecutive vibrato bar bends on notation staff
Consecutive vibrato bar bends on tablature

If you input vibrato bar dives and returns on multiple notes in chords, a single V appears on tablature as long as the bend intervals are the same for all notes.

Vibrato bar dive and return on chords on notation staff
Vibrato bar dive and return on chords on tablature