Harmonic analysis

With the Finale Numerics font, you can easily enter harmonic analysis in your Finale document. The font was specifically designed to offer all the characters required to produce a thorough harmonic analysis, including zero-width, stackable characters, horizontal lines, slashes, musical characters, and more.

Noteman says: The Expression tool also offers other options for entering harmonic analysis. For example, you could define expressions using the Finale Numerics font and assign them to notes using Metatools. See To create an expression and To program an Expression Metatool.

  1. Choose the Lyrics tool icon.
  2. Choose Lyrics > Auto-Number and confirm Verse, Chorus, and Section are unchecked.
  3. Choose Lyrics > Lyric Options. The Document Options - Lyrics dialog box appears.
  4. Uncheck Use Smart Hyphens.
    5. Document Options - Lyrics dialog box with Use Smart Hyphens highlighted
  5. Click Word Extensions. The Word Extensions dialog box appears.
  6. Uncheck Use Smart Word Extensions. Click OK.
  7. Choose Fonts. The Document Options - Fonts dialog box appears.
  8. Select Lyrics: Verse and click the Set Font button. The Font dialog box appears.
    9. Document Options - Fonts dialog box with the Lyrics dropdown and Set Font button highlighted
  9. Choose Finale Numerics and click OK.

    If your font selection shows font characters, is displayed.

  10. Click OK to close the Document Options - Fonts dialog box.
  11. Choose Lyrics > Type Into Score.
  12. Select the layer that the numerals will be attached to. (Choose View > Select Layer > [desired layer] or select the desired layer from the Layer selection buttons in the lower left corner of your screen).
  13. Click the first note you would like to add harmonic analysis to. A blinking cursor appears beneath the staff. Use the table below to enter a Closednon-zero-width characterFont characters that take up a dedicated amount of space. Most characters in the various Finale character sets are non-zero-width characters.. The basic figures are intuitive. For example, use v, i, V, I for the roman numerals.
    14. Non-zero-width characters
    Keystroke Character Description Keystroke Character Description
    SHIFT+a A a a
    SHIFT+b B b b
    SHIFT+c C c c
    SHIFT+d D d d
    SHIFT+e E e e
    SHIFT+f F f f
    SHIFT+g G g g
    SHIFT+h H h h
    SHIFT+i Roman numeral I i Roman numeral i
    SHIFT+v Roman numeral V v Roman numeral v
    SHIFT+n Neapolitan sixth (N6)
    neighbor six-four (N6
    4    )    		 o Use with r for "or" or f for "of"
    SHIFT+p Passing six-four (P6
    4    )    		 r Use with F for Fr+6
    Use with Ge for Ger+6
    t Use with I for It+6 `   Spacing character
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 284 1, large Text > Inserts > Symbol > 302 6, large
    ALT+0128 2, large ALT+0135 7, large
    ALT+0139 3, large ALT+0176 8, large
    ALT+0155 4, large ALT+0183 9, large
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 301 5, large ALT+0130 0, large
    ALT+0212 Double-sharp, large SHIFT+; Colon or :
    SHIFT+. Sharp, large . Period or .
    n Natural, large SHIFT+= Augmented, large
    SHIFT+, Flat, large = Minor, large
    ALT+0210 Double-flat, large SHIFT+/ Question mark or ?
    / Slash, /, or secondary function      
  14. Harmonic analysis often requires stacked numbers to the right of the root to specify the intervals/inversion. Use the table below to enter the Closedzero-width characterStackable font characters used to create inversions for figured bass and harmonic analysis.. The keystrokes are listed by position-top, middle, and bottom. See Finale Numerics font to find additional characters.
    15. Zero-width characters
    Keystroke Character Keystroke Character
    SHIFT+1
    1
    ALT+0161    		 Example of the 1 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0201
    ALT+0233
    ALT+0243     		Example of the strikethrough 1 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+2
    2
    ALT+0153    		 Example of the 2 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0209
    ALT+0232
    ALT+0242     		Example of the strikethrough 2 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+3
    3
    ALT+0163    		 Example of the 3 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0214
    ALT+0234
    ALT+0244     		Example of the strikethrough 3 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+4
    4
    ALT+0162    		 Example of the 4 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0220
    ALT+0235
    ALT+0246     		Example of the strikethrough 4 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+5
    5
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 293    		 Example of the 5 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0225
    ALT+0237
    ALT+0245     		Example of the strikethrough 5 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+6
    6
    ALT+0167    		 Example of the 6 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0224
    ALT+0236
    ALT+0250     		Example of the strikethrough 6 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+7
    7
    ALT+0182    		 Example of the 7 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0226
    ALT+0238
    ALT+0249     		Example of the strikethrough 7 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+8
    8
    ALT+0149    		 Example of the 8 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0228
    ALT+0239
    ALT+0251     		Example of the strikethrough 8 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+9
    9
    ALT+0170    		 Example of the 9 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0227
    ALT+0241
    ALT+0252     		Example of the strikethrough 9 character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+0
    0
    ALT+0186    		 Example of the 0 character positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0140 Dash
    SHIFT+w
    w
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 290    		 Example of the double sharp symbol positioning based on the keystrokes SHIFT+q
    q
    ALT+0156    		 Example of the minor character positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+x
    x
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 302    		 Example of the sharp symbol positioning based on the keystrokes SHIFT+s
    s
    ALT+0223    		 Example of the slash symbol positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+y
    y
    ALT+0165    		 Example of the natural symbol positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0229, ALT+0197
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 294, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 256
    ALT+0231, ALT+0199     		Example of the parentheses symbol positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+z
    z
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 267    		 Example of the flat symbol positioning based on the keystrokes Text > Inserts > Symbol > 287, ALT+0206
    ALT+0131, ALT+0207
    ALT+0169, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 266     		Example of the bracket symbol positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+u
    u
    ALT+0168    		 Example of the double flat symbol positioning based on the keystrokes Text > Inserts > Symbol > 263, ALT+0211 Example of the medium parentheses upper positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+l
    l
    ALT+0172    		 Example of the augmented symbol positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0248, ALT+0216 Example of the medium parentheses lower positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+m

    m
    ALT+0181    		 Example of the minor symbol positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0174, ALT+0137 Example of the large parentheses positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+j
    j
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 288    		 Example of the half dimished symbol positioning based on the keystrokes Text > Inserts > Symbol > 268, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 289 Example of the medium bracket upper positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+k
    k
    Text > Inserts > Symbol > 264    		 Example of the diminished symbol positioning based on the keystrokes ALT+0134, ALT+0205 Example of the medium parentheses lower positioning based on the keystrokes
    SHIFT+'
    '
    		 Example of the caret symbol positioning based on the keystrokes Text > Inserts > Symbol > 292, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 299 Example of the large bracket positioning based on the keystrokes

    Enter SHIFT+6 for a first inversion (this is one of many zero-width characters designed to appear to the upper right of the roman numeral). To put a number beneath the 6, enter the number (e.g. For , enter i, SHIFT+6, 4). If you need to place a character to the right of the figure, enter ` (grave), then enter the character. (e.g. For , you would enter SHIFT+6, ` (grave), SHIFT+y). Use the table below for other common inversion examples.

    Keystroke Character Keystroke Character
    SHIFT+i, SHIFT+v, SHIFT+6, 5, ALT+0162 IV 6, 5, 4 symbol ALT+0198, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 284 Scale degree 1
    SHIFT+v, SHIFT+8, 6, ` (grave), SHIFT+q, q, ` (grave), SHIFT+7, 5 V 8-7, 6-5 symbol SHIFT+v, SHIFT+7, x, ` (grave), ALT+0140, ` (grave), ALT+0140, ` (grave), SHIFT+6, 5 V 7, # to 6, 5 symbol
    SHIFT+4, 2, ` (grave), SHIFT+l 4+, 2 symbol SHIFT+v, SHIFT+6, SHIFT+s, 5, ALT+0162 V slashed 6, 5, 4 symbol
    SHIFT+6, 5, ALT+0153, ` (grave), SHIFT+y, y natural 6, natural 5, 2 symbol SHIFT+v, SHIFT+7, x V 7, sharp third
    ALT+0224 or SHIFT+/, SHIFT+6 Example of different slash styles ALT+0229, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 294, ALT+0231, `, SHIFT+6, 4, ALT+0163, `, ALT+0197, Text > Inserts > Symbol > 256, ALT+0199 (6), (4), (3) symbol
  15. Press SPACEBAR to move to the next entry.
  1. Choose the Lyrics tool icon.
  2. Choose Lyrics > Auto-Number. One of the options, Verse, Chorus, or Section, must be unchecked.
  3. Choose Lyrics > Specify Current Lyric. The Specify Current Lyric dialog box appears.
  4. Select a Type that did not require Auto-Number to be selected in Step 2. Enter a number to select a verse, chorus, or section that does not contain lyrics and click OK.

    For example, if there are auto-numbered lyrics in Verse 1 and 2 but the Sections are not auto-numbered, select Sections and enter 3 in the Number field. This allows you to enter your harmonic analysis directly under your existing lyrics. Alternatively, enter any number and use the Closedpositioning trianglesSeveral tools provide four positioning triangles to the left of the score that allow you to vertically adjust the baseline for items in the adjacent staff. These triangles can be used to position lyrics, chords, and expressions. The leftmost triangle positions items for every staff in the score in all systems. The second triangle from the left positions items in the adjacent staff. The third triangle from the left positions items in the adjacent staff in the adjacent system only. The fourth triangle from the left specifies the vertical positioning for the next item entered. on the left to adjust the horizontal positioning as needed.

  5. Select the layer that the numerals will be attached to. (Choose View > Select Layer > [desired layer] or select the desired layer from the Layer selection buttons in the lower left corner of your screen).
  6. Choose Lyrics > Type Into Score.
  7. Click the first note you would like to add harmonic analysis to. A blinking cursor appears beneath the staff.
  8. Choose Text > Font. The Font dialog box appears. Choose Finale Numerics and click OK.

    If your font selection shows font characters, is displayed.

  9. Use the table above to enter a Closednon-zero-width characterFont characters that take up a dedicated amount of space. Most characters in the various Finale character sets are non-zero-width characters.. The basic figures are intuitive. For example, use v, i, V, I for the roman numerals.
  10. Harmonic analysis often requires stacked numbers to the right of the root to specify the intervals/inversion. Use the table above to enter the Closedzero-width characterStackable font characters used to create inversions for figured bass and harmonic analysis.. The keystrokes are listed by position-top, middle, and bottom. See Finale Numerics font to find additional characters.

    11. As you add your harmonic analysis, you will need to delete automatic Closedword extensionsA red underline that is used to indicate that a syllable is being sustained through more than one note. In Finale, word extensions expand and contract along with the music as you enter additional lyrics and modify the page layout. individually. To do so, choose Lyrics > Edit Word Extensions, then click the word extension ClosedhandleA small square which appears on currently "selectable" elements in the score. Handles allow you to select, edit and adjust musical elements in the score. and press DELETE.

Pivot chords

Pivot chords can be entered using a combination of | (vertical line), \ (backslash), ` (acute accent) and [, ], {, } (bracket) characters and Finale Numerics font characters. Pivot chords occur either inline with the rest of the harmonic analysis or extended below the original key when a modulation occurs. Inline pivot chords can easily be entered using a combination of non-zero-width characters, any zero-width characters needed to enter an inversion and zero-width pivot chord characters like and .

Keystroke Character Description Keystroke Character Description
\ Pivot chord modulation bracket ] Closed pivot chord modulation bracket
[, `, `, SHIFT+[, `, `, SHIFT+[, `, `, ] Extended pivot chord bracket SHIFT+[ Pivot chord modulation bracket extender, middle
SHIFT+\ Pivot chord modulation bracket SHIFT+] Pivot chord modulation bracket extender, top
[, `, `, SHIFT+[, `, `, SHIFT+\, `, `, SHIFT+] Staircase pivot chord modulation bracket SHIFT+i, SHIFT+v, SHIFT+\, SHIFT+v Common pivot chord example
[ Open pivot chord modulation bracket i, v, ] Common pivot chord example

More complex pivot chords might require characters entered below the original harmonic analysis. This can be accomplished using the DOWN ARROW to move to the next verse, chorus, or section below the current lyric or by using the Specify Current Lyric dialog box.