Articulations

An articulation is Articulationsa symbol used to tell the player how a particular note is to be played: an accent, staccato mark, for example. NotePad will automatically center the markings and place them the proper distance from the noteheads; you’ll even hear their effect on the music when you play it back.

The Articulation tool is used for placing these markings. An articulation must be attached to a note (or a rest); you can’t insert one into an empty measure. The marking maintains its position relative to that note, even if you transpose it; in fact, the symbol will automatically flip to the opposite side of the note if the stem changes direction, and even switch to a different symbol if the new stem direction warrants (as when a fermata symbol flips upside-down).

To put one articulation mark in the score

1. Click the Articulation tool . Click on, above, or below the note in question. The Articulation Selection dialog box appears.
2. Double-click the symbol you want. You may need to use the scroll bar to see all of the articulations.
3. The marking now appears in the score. NotePad will automatically center the articulation, and choose the correct side of the note for it, depending on the marking. You can adjust its position by dragging its handle.

Follow the first step only if the marking’s handle isn’t visible.

To move or delete an articulation

1. Click the Articulation tool , and then click the note to which the symbol was attached. Its handle appears.
2. Drag the handle to move the marking. Select it and press the arrow keys to "nudge" it for fine positioning; select it and press delete to remove it.

See Also

Articulation Selection dialog box

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