Articulations

An articulation is a symbol used to tell the player how a particular note is to be played: an accent, staccato mark, or harmonic symbol, for example. You can apply these markings either one note at a time, or to a whole group of notes at once. SongWriter 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.

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. The marking now appears in the score. SongWriter will automatically center the articulation, and choose the correct side of the note for it. You can adjust its position by dragging its handle.

To apply an articulation to every note in a region (Articulation tool method)

1. Click the Articulation tool  . Drag-select a region of notes. The Articulation Selection dialog box appears.
2. Double-click the symbol you want.

To apply an articulation to every note in a region (Selection tool method)

1. Click the Selection tool   and select a region. See Selecting music for some region-selecting shortcuts.
2. Choose Utilities > Apply Articulation. The Articulation Selection dialog box appears.
3. Double-click the symbol you want.

To remove articulations from every note in a region

• Click the Articulation tool  . While pressing delete, drag-select a region of notes. Any articulations within the drag-selected region will be removed.

To move or delete an articulation

• 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.

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