8va/8vb

To create an or marking

To specify that in this Finale document you want the under-bracket tool to create an marking instead of the default marking, choose Smart Shape > Smart Shape Options. The Smart Shape Options dialog box appears, in which you can choose either marking to appear at the beginning of the bracket.

  1. Choose the Smart Shape tool . The Smart Shape Palette appears.
  2. Choose the or Tool.

    The and markings, when placed above the staff, indicate the music is to be performed one octave or two octaves higher than written, respectively. According to most recognized music notation standards, and placed below the staff indicate the music is to be performed one or two octaves lower than written. Note the marking, a copyist shorthand, is also sometimes used below the staff to indicate the music is to be performed an octave lower than written.

  3. Position the cursor in the measure where the marking is to begin so that the cursor arrow points to the staff to which you’re attaching it.
  4. Double-click and drag to the right. Your double-click marks the side of the marking; as you drag, you increase the length of the dashed-line bracket. Release the mouse when you’ve positioned the right end where you want it.

    When placed above the staff, Finale plays back the music one or two octaves higher than written. When placed below the staff, Finale plays back the music one or two octaves lower than written.

To move or reshape an or marking

If the marking is already selected, it displays diamond editing handles. If not, choose the Smart Shape tool . Any Smart Shape created with this tool displays a handle; click the handle of the marking you want to modify.

  • Drag the right or left diamond editing handles to move the endpoints.
  • Drag the square handle to move the marking.
  • Press DELETE to remove it. If the bracket is long enough that it straddles one or more system (line) breaks, Finale automatically breaks it into two (or more) segments; the continuation portions display in parentheses.

See also:

Smart Shape Options dialog box

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Finale 2014 for Windows

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