The Properties Panel in Dorico
Introduction
The Properties Panel in Dorico is a powerful tool for making local adjustments without affecting global settings. Located at the bottom of the Write Mode window, it provides context-sensitive controls depending on the selected musical element. Unlike Finale, where many adjustments require manual positioning, Dorico allows precise control via toggle switches and numerical inputs.
Accessing the Properties Panel
- Ensure you are in Write Mode (Ctrl/Cmd + 2).
- Select a note, rest, articulation, dynamic, or other element.
- The Properties Panel appears at the bottom of the window.
- Properties are grouped into sections such as Common, Notes and Rests, Dynamics, and Playback.
Key Properties by Selection Type
General Properties (Available for Most Elements)
- Color – Change the visual color of the selected item.
- Custom Scale – Adjust the size of notes or elements as a percentage.
- Suppress Playback – Prevent selected elements from playing back.
- Hidden – Hide the element in the score but retain it for engraving or playback purposes.
Notes and Rests
- Force Duration – Override automatic note grouping.
- Accidental Visibility – Hide or show accidentals on individual notes.
- Stem Direction – Manually override automatic stem direction.
- Ties Into or Out Of – Control whether a note has an incoming or outgoing tie.
- Start/End Voice – Control rest visibility by marking a voice’s start or end.
Articulations and Slurs
- Placement – Adjust whether an articulation appears above or below the staff.
- Slur Direction – Force slurs to curve upwards or downwards.
- Articulation Style – Toggle between different engraving styles for accents, staccato, etc.
Dynamics
- Intensity – Adjust playback intensity for hairpins and dynamics.
- Crescendo/Diminuendo Length – Modify hairpin length without affecting note values.
- Placement – Set whether dynamics appear above or below the staff.
Playing Techniques and Ornaments
- Playback Override – Customize how techniques affect playback.
- Custom Text – Modify text labels for techniques (e.g., changing “pizz.” to “pizzicato”).
- Visibility – Hide or force-display playing techniques.
Tuplets and Beams
- Tuplet Ratio Display – Customize tuplet ratio appearance (e.g., 3:2 or just “3”).
- Beam Grouping – Override automatic beaming rules.
- Beam Direction – Manually set beam direction.
Chords and Fingerings
- Chord Symbol Positioning – Adjust chord symbol alignment and placement.
- Fingerings – Customize finger placement, hand assignments, and positioning.
- Roman Numerals and Nashville Notation – Override default chord symbol styles.
Playback and MIDI Overrides
- Suppress Playback – Disable playback for selected elements.
- Velocity and Timing – Fine-tune playback nuances for individual notes.
- Pedal Retakes – Adjust playback behavior for sustain pedals.
Play Mode Controls
- Mixer – as in a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation
- Key Editor – piano roll midi editor with automation lanes
Tips & Best Practices
- Use Start/End Voice to control rest behavior and reduce unnecessary hidden rests.
- Force Duration can be useful when Dorico’s automatic note grouping isn’t what you expect.
- Suppress Playback is handy for notation-only elements like parenthesized cue notes.
- Customize Dynamics Playback Intensity to ensure crescendos and decrescendos sound natural.
- Experiment with Color and Custom Scale for ossia staves and editorial markings.
Conclusion
The Properties Panel is an essential part of fine-tuning a score in Dorico. While global settings govern overall notation behavior, this panel provides local control where needed. Mastering these properties will help you refine both the visual and playback aspects of your music.