Inputting slurs

Dorico Pro Help
Product
Dorico Pro
Version
5.1
ft:locale
en-US
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

You can input slurs, both during note input and by adding them to existing notes. You can also add slurs to existing notes on multiple staves at the same time, and to notes in different voices or on different staves belonging to the same instrument; for example, when phrases span both staves of grand staff instruments.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, do one of the following:

    • Start note input.

    • Select the notes to which you want to add slurs.

      Tip

      • If you only select a single note, the slur connects that note to the next note in the same voice on the staff. To input slurs between notes in different voices, you must select both notes; for example, by selecting the first note then Ctrl/Cmd-clicking the second note.

      • For instruments with multiple staves, such as piano and harp, you can select two existing notes, each on a different staff, to create cross-staff slurs. However, you cannot create cross-staff slurs between different instruments.

  2. Optional: During note input, if you want to input notes and notations onto multiple staves, extend the caret to those staves.
  3. Input a slur in any of the following ways:

    • Press S.

    • In the Notes panel, click Slur .

    • In the Keyboard panel toolbar, click Slur .

    Note

    If you added slurs to existing notes, stop here.

  4. During note input, input the notes you want.

    The slur extends automatically, even if there are rests between the notes you input.

  5. During note input, end the slur on the currently selected note in any of the following ways:

    • Press Shift-S.

    • In the Keyboard panel toolbar, click Slur .

Result

During note input, slurs begin from the currently selected note on all staves across which the caret extends, not from the caret position. Slurs extend automatically as you input notes, and end on the currently selected note.

When adding slurs to existing notes, the selected notes are connected by slurs. For example, if you select two notes belonging to one instrument and two notes belonging to another, two slurs are input connecting the notes on each selected staff. If you selected notes on different staves belonging to the same instrument, a cross-staff slur is input.

Slurs are placed either above or below the notes, depending on the stem direction of the notes within the selection.

Tip

When nothing is selected, you can also click Slur in the Notes panel or Keyboard panel toolbar, and then click and drag to input a slur and extend it to your preferred length.

After Completing This Task

  • You can enable independent voice playback for individual instruments to hear different sounds in different voices simultaneously; for example, if you have slurs in one voice and staccatos in another voice.

  • You can change the curvature direction and style of individual slurs; for example, to make them appear dashed and S-shaped.